Joel Embiid's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is officially listed as out ahead of Tuesday's showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic's Shams Charania both reported on Monday morning that Embiid is targeting a return during fantasy championship week from a two-month absence following left knee surgery, but it appears that managers will have to wait at least one more game. The reigning MVP's next chance to return comes on Thursday against the Miami Heat. Although Mo Bamba ranks inside fantasy's top 80 in nine-category leagues over the past two weeks, averaging 8.5 points on 56.8% shooting from the floor, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 0.9 three-pointers across his last eight games (all starts), he's only playing 19.7 minutes per contest since March 18 and isn't the most reliable streaming option.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) might return before the end of the regular season. Wojnarowski stated that it's not a matter of "if" but "when," while adding the team hopes to get him back with at least a few games left before the postseason begins. The 30-year-old averaged a career-high 35.3 points with 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks before going down with a knee injury at the end of January. Of course, it could take him a few games to get back up to speed. However, Embiid's presence will immediately mean less work for Mo Bamba and Paul Reed, who have seen an uptick in production while the reigning MVP has been sidelined.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) returned to practice Sunday as he continues to recover from his meniscus injury. Charania is told the reigning MVP did a lot of non-contact, walkthrough workouts, but he won't be with the team on its four-game West Coast trip that starts Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns. The Sixers' hope at this point is that Embiid is able to ramp up at some point in April, though an exact return date is unclear. Embiid is running out of time be a factor for the fantasy playoffs, and Mo Bamba and Paul Reed have recently formed a value-canceling timeshare at the five in Philly. Although Reed has only started one of his last 10 outings, he's averaging 10.8 points while shooting 52.4% from the field, 7.6 rebounds, 0.7 three-pointers, and 2.6 combined steals plus blocks since March 1 and carries the higher upside of the two down the stretch.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) said Thursday he still hopes to come back this season. Embiid says he's feeling good but there's no timeline for his return, and that it doesn't matter where the team is at, if he can play, he's going to play. The Sixers are 7-17 without the reigning MVP this season and are beginning to border on Eastern Conference play-in status, with fantasy managers looking to get the two-time scoring champion back for their playoffs. Embiid underwent surgery to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee on Feb. 6 and is slated to be re-evaluated in early March, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday that there's hope Embiid can return in late March. Although Paul Reed has started Philly's last 12 games, he's only averaging 7.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 26.0 minutes during February and is only a low-end streamer right now.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair his left meniscus. He's expected to miss up to eight weeks, at least. However, the team is optimistic the reigning MVP will return this season. "We're hopeful," said president of basketball operations Daryl Morey when asked about Embiid's potential comeback this year. "Feedback has been more good than bad, so we're hopeful." Philly remains in the playoff conversation. But if the team can't keep things together until Embiid is 100%, there's a chance he won't be back until the 2024-25 campaign. That said, Paul Reed, averaging 10.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 14 starts this season, should continue to benefit from a fantasy perspective until Embiid is back on the floor.