Sixers center Joel Embiid is playing like an MVP candidate again after missing most after missing most of the 2024-25 season, drawing praise from ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, who admitted he had written off the star’s career.
Perkins said on Friday’s episode of “NBA Today” that he was enjoying Embiid’s bounce back from a knee injury that has caused him to miss significant time, including last season when he played in only 39 games.
“I’d like to issue an apology,” Perkins said. “Seriously, to Daryl Morey and Joel Embiid because I didn’t expect this. If you asked me this two months ago, I thought Joel Embiid was on the verge of retirement. Seriously. Now, all of a sudden, he’s come back to looking like an All-NBA caliber player.”
Perkins also noticed that another part of Embiid’s game had returned, which has given defenders more to think about when he has the ball.
“We know that he’s going to get buckets as far as what he does on the perimeter, because he’s one of the most skilled bigs to ever play the damn game of basketball,” Perkins said. “But it’s the lift. He’s dunking the ball now. We saw him catch an alley-oop. He’s playing above the rim and he’s playing with force.”
Through 28 games this season, Embiid has averaged 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Embiid has developed chemistry with All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey now that he is playing more. The teammates engage in two-man plays late in games, with Embiid setting a screen for Maxey and either stopping for a shot or driving to the basket. Embiid’s presence also takes some scoring pressure off Maxey, unlike last year when Maxey was often the only offensive option.
The Sixers will need Embiid to continue playing well with forward Paul George suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. Embiid and the Sixers are set to face James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night Feb. 2 in Los Angeles.