CAMDEN, NJ – Joel Embiid wore a Sixers sweatshirt, held a basketball and sat in front of microphones on the last day of February.
Although Embiid was unable to play in all games this month due to his left lateral meniscus injury, he is rehabbing and confirmed Thursday that he plans to return this season.
Furthermore, he did not provide any information about the schedule.
“It’s just about how I feel,” Embiid said. “Rehab is going quite well. Ups and downs, but you can do it. The goal is just to get as healthy as possible and get back.”
Why is the reigning MVP seeking a late-season return for a team that is currently sixth in the tight Eastern Conference standings?
“I've been pushing the last few games for the same reason,” Embiid said. “I just love playing basketball. I want to lie on the floor. I only have about 20 years to do it, so I want to be on the floor every chance I get.
“It doesn't matter where we are (in the table) – four, five, three, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11. It doesn't matter where we are, I just want to play as much as I do.” can and try to help us.”
As for emphasizing the penetration, Embiid said he wouldn't have handled the stretch any differently before Jonathan Kuminga landed on his left knee.
Embiid missed five games in January with his nagging knee injury, including the two before that painful, nightmarish game against the Warriors.
“It wasn’t (just) about the last few games,” he said. “It was the same as a few weeks ago when I just felt like I wasn't myself but was still good enough to go out there knowing that 60 or 70 percent of me can still help the team. “ a lot on both ends of the floor.
“At the time we had just lost two or three games in a row and the boys were down. Like I said, my mindset is to play, so I have to do whatever it takes to help the team. Sometimes it helps me, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Embiid called the injury “super annoying” and “extremely frustrating,” although he smiled as he described his recent shift toward being a more stay-at-home dad.
“Apart from the rehab, time for the family,” he said of his final weeks. “Honestly, this is probably the best time…my family, just being with them – my wife, my son. He's loving it at the moment. I'm not going anywhere, I'm not doing anything. He's getting too used to it. He doesn't want me to leave the house anymore.
“It’s fun to just play around. Of course he goes to school, but he just hangs out all day and does a few different things. The family time was great and I’m sure they’re enjoying it too.”
The Sixers went 4-8 without Embiid in February. While they were fine health-wise after the All-Star break, De'Anthony Melton re-injured his back in a loss to the Celtics on Tuesday night and KJ Martin was sidelined with a right ankle injury. Martin is not yet back to 100 percent, although his injury does not appear to be serious. At least Melton won't be playing against the Hornets on Friday night.
“KJ is about three-quarters of the way through practice today,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said. “Still not quite sure that I can give full throttle. However, that could change at any time. He feels a little better every day. And Melt is out, and we don’t know for how long.”
Although available, Tobias Harris has played poorly in the Sixers' four games since the break.
Without prompting, Embiid mentioned the veteran forward on Thursday.
“What I learned is that my presence is very helpful,” he said. “I recently spoke to Tobias for almost an hour and tried to help him.
“He is a good player. We all go through difficult phases and I am sure he will come out of it. But I think just my presence – being close to the team. Obviously traveling is a little different because I have to focus on my rehab. But as much as I can, I will.”
As a player on the field, Embiid knows he would be immensely valuable if he actually returned this season.
“I still believe I can perform far better as a basketball player than at the level I played at,” he said. “I have great confidence and also feel like I can bring a lot to the team in terms of my impact on both ends of the floor.
“So I always believe. It doesn't matter who's in the squad, it doesn't matter who's training. I still believe that I have a chance to win no matter what the situation is.
“We played at a high level, especially because everyone was healthy. I think the way Tyrese (Maxey) played and the couple of people we added… and then of course everyone else has to follow suit. I still think we have a pretty good chance.”