Joel Embiid Breaths Life in the 76ers as the Star Center's Return Reinforces Sixers NBA Playoff Chances

Oklahoma City Thunder v Philadelphia 76ers

(Photo : (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)) PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 02: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center on April 02, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid made his highly anticipated return last night, helping his Sixers pick up a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Embiid's return to the court marked his first game since his recovery from a lateral meniscus injury, a procedure that kept him out of the game for eight weeks.

Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid's Return

Joel Embiid showed some rust to start the game, picking up an offensive foul in the first two minutes, and then turning the ball immediately after.

He later managed to score his first point late in the first quarter to get the ball rolling on his big night.

Embiid finished the night scoring 24 points on shooting 6 for 14 from the field. He grabbed six rebounds, dished out a team-high seven assists, and had three steals in 29 minutes to help the 76ers win.

Joel Embiid told TNT that his injury "took a toll mentally."

"I just wanted to come back. I think we got a chance, even at my level, and I'm only going to get better," Embiid said.

Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid Keeps Sixers NBA Playoff Hopes Alive

Getting Joel Embiid back before the NBA Playoffs was extremely important for a Philadelphia 76ers team looking for some consistency.

Before Embiid's injury, the Sixers were 29-17 and fifth in the NBA Eastern Conference. They've since slipped out of the playoff picture, falling into the Play-in, going 11-18 without the star center and dropping down to the eighth seed.

Embiid was playing some of his best basketball before the injury, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. He shot 53.3% from the field this season and was 36.6% on 3-pointers.

The Process scored a career-high 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs and looked poised to win his second consecutive NBA MVP award.

The Philadelphia 76ers' playoff success hinges on Joel Embiid's health and his availability in the postseason. If he can shake off the rust and play close to how he did earlier in the season, the Sixers could make some noise in the NBA Playoffs.

The 76ers are currently the eighth seed in the East and are set to take on the Miami Heat next.