Joel Embiid has ‘started on-court workouts’ with Sixers

The Sixers have been playing without Joel Embiid since Jan 30, but the big man could be getting closer to a return to the court.

The league's reigning MVP has been out since injuring his knee and undergoing a successful procedure on his knee back on Feb 6.  While there have been positive signs that Embiid could return, no official timetable has been given.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said the team is hopeful that Embiid could return to the team in late March.

On Sunday, during the Sixers game in Dallas against the Mavericks, reporter Katie George provided an update saying Embiid has "started on-court workouts and began lifting 100% of the weight he lifted prior to the injury."

Embiid told reporters on Thursday of last week that he planned on returning to the team regardless of their record when he is ready.

"That's the plan," Embiid said.

Embiid was having another MVP type of season, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.

"That's why it was extremely disappointing," Embiid said, "I was having fun, playing, getting a lot of wins, dominating."

With Embiid the Sixers were 26-8 and in play for one of the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference playoff race.  Without him they are 8-17 enterting play on Sunday in Dallas against the Mavericks. The team scores 121.4 point per game when he plays and just 111.2. when he is out.

My best case scenario sounds like a late March return for Embiid as Wojnarowski stated, for the Wednesday, March 27 game in Philly Against the LA Clippers.