The Philadelphia 76ers Get Joel Embiid Update That Could Well Save Their Season

There’s no question that the Philadelphia 76ers are in a much better place now than they were before “The Process” began.

Philly just completed its fourth 50-plus win season in six years. The last time the franchise won 50 games prior to that was 2001.

The Sixers also boast two bona fide superstars in Joel Embiid and James Harden. They hadn’t had one, let alone two, since Allen Iverson was traded in 2006.

But one thing that has eluded Philadelphia since its rebuild began is the one thing it most wants, a championship.

In fact, the Sixers have yet to even make the Eastern Conference Finals. They’ve been knocked out in the second round of the playoffs four times in their previous five playoffs appearances. And they’ve been knocked out by the Boston Celtics twice in that span.

So here the Sixers are. in a familiar spot.

After a first round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets, the Sixers are likely staring down a second-round matchup with their nemeses from Boston. And once again, the health status of potential NBA MVP Joel Embiid is up in the air.

Embiid has either missed games or been hampered by injury in each of his playoff appearances. This season is no different. The big man suffered a sprained in Philly’s Game 3 win over the Nets and sat out the clinching Game 4.

When asked whether his superstar would be available for Game 1 of the 76ers second round, coach Doc Rivers didn’t sound optimistic.

But as it turns out, Rivers may have been a bit more confident than he led on.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that “there is optimism that he’ll be able to play in Game 1 of their next series.”

Sixers fans gained a bit of optimism from the new report.

Embiid’s return would be a welcome sign for a Sixers team that desperately needs him. But if he’s not near 100 percent, it may well not matter either way.