Embiid planning to return to 76ers, play in Olympics
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid wants to play again this year — for the Philadelphia 76ers, yes, even as they fade without the injured All-star in the playoff hunt but also this summer for the U.S. Olympic team.
The reigning NBA MVP, Embiid has been sidelined since early February when he underwent meniscus surgery on his left knee after he was hurt when a player fell on him. Embiid had already been hampered by knee injuries this season that cost him multiple games — and cost the 76ers a good spot in the standings.
When healthy, Embiid continued to perform at an MVP level. He was the NBA'S leading scorer at 35.3 points per game at the time he was hurt and averaged 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He scored a franchise-record 70 points to go along with 18 rebounds on Jan. 22 in a 133-124 victory over the Spurs.
And the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft says
he's not done yet.
“That's the plan,” to return, Embiid told reporters Thursday at the team's New Jersey complex. “Obviously, everything has to go right as far as getting healthy and being as close as I'm supposed to be.”
Embiid and the 76ers have said there is no timetable for his return.
“You can never tell how the body reacts, especially once you start ramping up,” Embiid said.
Embiid also can't forget Paris.
Embiid told USA Basketball in October that, after more than a year of deliberating, he had picked the Americans over France as his team for the Paris Olympics.
USA Basketball does not plan to announce its team until the spring of 2024, but if healthy, Embiid seemed to have a lock on one of the 12 spots on the squad that will be coached by Golden State coach Steve Kerr.
Embiid became a U.S. citizen last year and could have also chosen to play for France — or even
Cameroon, his homeland, if it qualified for the Paris Games.
Hawks waive ex-spur Mills
The Atlanta Hawks waived 15-year veteran guard Patty Mills on Thursday. The 35-yearold Mills, who played for the Spurs from 2012-21, played sparingly for the Hawks after being acquired from Oklahoma City last summer. He averaged 2.7 points and 1.1 rebounds in 19 games with Atlanta.
Wednesday’s highlights
Lebron James scored 19 of his 34 points during a brilliant fourth quarter, leading the Los Angeles Lakers back from a 21point deficit for a dramatic 116-112 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. … Jamal Murray scored 32 points, Nikola Jokic had 14 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in just three quarters for his fourth straight triple-double and Denver beat short-handed Sacramento.