Embiid returns for Sixers vs. Hawks following 9-game absence originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers’ health picture substantially improved Sunday night for their meeting with the Hawks.
After initially being listed as out, Joel Embiid (right knee injury management) was upgraded to questionable early Sunday afternoon and to available about 30 minutes before tip-off. VJ Edgecombe (left calf injury management) and Andre Drummond (right knee contusion) were both upgraded to available, too.
Embiid had missed the past nine games. The Sixers had not reported any structural issues or setbacks with his knee, calling the injury “day-to-day,” although head coach Nick Nurse had acknowledged that Embiid was dealing with soreness.
For the first time this season, the Sixers used a starting lineup with their star trio of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Edgecombe and Dominick Barlow also started. Entering Sunday, Embiid had played in only six games this season, George in just four. Both George and Embiid remain on minutes restrictions.
“It’s just trying to stack good days, keep the good days going,” George said Friday after posting 14 points in the Sixers’ win Friday over the Nets. “It’s been trending forward. With the more on court I’ve been able to do, the better I’ve been feeling postgame. Hopefully, the minutes will start to increase as the weeks go on, as the games on and as the body continues to develop.”
Drummond exited the Brooklyn game early after hurting his knee but avoided serious injury. Edgecombe had sat out the last three games with his calf injury.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) were the two Sixers out Sunday.
Hawks star Trae Young was sidelined by a right knee MCL sprain, Kristaps Porzingis by an illness.
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