New update gives Sixers hope heading into critical weekend

Heading into their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday Night, the Philadelphia 76ers are holding onto the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. As long as the Sixers can stay above seventh in the EC Standings, they can avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament.

The 76ers hold the tiebreaker over the Toronto Raptors, and they are currently 1.5 games ahead of one of the hottest teams in the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets. With six games remaining, Philadelphia is matching up with four straight playoff teams down the stretch of the regular season.

Sixers got some potential good news ahead of Friday Night's game

The Philadelphia 76ers play the first of back-to-back games this weekend, both on their homecourt. After winning five of their last seven games, the Sixers are hopeful to see the return of Joel Embiid this weekend.

Embiid played three games after returning from his Oblique Injury before he missed the Sixers' game versus the Wizards with an illness. On Friday's NBA Injury Report, Joel Embiid was upgraded from "Questionable" to "Probable" for the game versus the Timberwolves.

While there is no official word about if Embiid will be available for both back-to-back games this weekend, we can expect to see the 76ers' big man play either Friday versus the T'Wolves or Saturday versus the Detroit Pistons.

Philadelphia has a 16-6 record in the 22 games that Joel Embiid has played since January 1st, so his return to the court this weekend is a good omen for the 76ers chances to lock-in a top six playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.