Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is making progress in his recovery from a strained right oblique muscle he suffered in last Thursday’s win over the Miami Heat, but the team announced Friday that he has not yet returned to the court and will be reevaluated again in about a week, the Philadelphia Voice’s Adam Aaronson reports.
The 76ers reported via Aaronson that neither Embiid nor rookie guard V.J. Edgecombe, who is dealing with a back injury, participated in Friday’s practice.
advertise
Embiid has missed three games with slash issues. According to Aaronson, he will miss at least three games based on the schedule provided by the team.
Embiid only played in 33 of the 62 games the 76ers will play in the 2025-26 season. He is already ineligible for the award this season after missing 29 games, and has been that way for some time.
Embiid, who is about to turn 32, also missed five consecutive games last month due to right knee and shin soreness.
Embiid only played in 19 games last season due to lingering left knee issues that ultimately led to him undergoing surgery in April 2025. Earlier this season, Embiid found himself out for significant time again, this time due to a right knee injury.
advertise
When the seven-time All-Star center takes the floor this season, he’s proven why he’s still valuable. He averaged 26.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He has posted more than a dozen 30-point or more games, including a 40-point performance in a Jan. 31 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
In the games Embiid has played this season, the 76ers have a record of 21 wins and 12 losses. Without him on the court, the team’s record is 13-16 and currently ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 34-28.
As for Edgecomb, last year’s third overall pick, he suffered a lower back contusion after being fouled from behind while shooting a three-pointer in Tuesday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
advertise
He was wearing street clothes during Philadelphia’s win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. His status remains up in the air when the Sixers take on the Atlanta Hawks on the road on Saturday.
In his first year out of Baylor, Edgecomb averaged 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He and Embiid are key figures as the Sixers seek to return to the playoffs.
