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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to a foul during the first half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 04, 2025 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. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
On the road, the Philadelphia 76ers have had their star center, Joel Embiid, around the team. As he deals with multiple setbacks, Embiid hoped to return last week as the Sixers returned from the NBA All-Star break.
The last time the Sixers took the court on February 22 to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Embiid was ruled out. That absence marked his fifth in a row.
When the Sixers revealed their injury report for the February 24 game against the Indiana Pacers, they upgraded Embiid to questionable. It was a positive step in the right direction, but still displayed uncertainty.
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been on the team’s injury report for the last couple of weeks. Will he make his return for the team on the road against the Indiana Pacers? That’s been a major question.
Will Joel Embiid Return To The Court For The Sixers In Indiana?
The Sixers are in a good spot on the Embiid front in Indiana. According to the official NBA injury report, Embiid has cleared to make his return. He is available for the matchup.
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Joel Embiid (knee, shin) listed available to play Tuesday.
The Sixers’ February 7 game against the Phoenix Suns was the last time Embiid made an appearance.
At the time, Embiid had appeared in two games in a row. He faced the Suns with a 33-minute shift. The veteran center shot 9-19 from the field to score 33 points. He also had nine rebounds, three assists, and one block.
The State Of Joel Embiid’s Comeback Campaign
Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey
GettyDespite entering the 2025-2026 NBA season with plenty of doubt surrounding him, Joel Embiid is having a strong comeback season.
Back in October, Embiid returned to the court for the first time since last February. Following a February 22, 2025, matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, Embiid was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Roughly one year after undergoing knee surgery, Embiid received a second operation. Fortunately for the Sixers, he was cleared to make his return for the season opener. However, he was on a restriction.
Throughout the first stretch of games, the Sixers capped Embiid’s minutes to under 25. While it wasn’t an ideal scenario, it was a wise play, considering how impactful Embiid is on the court when he’s healthy.
Over time, the Sixers lifted the restriction. The one-time MVP started putting together a strong All-Star campaign during his comeback effort. While he didn’t collect his eighth All-Star nod, many viewed Embiid as one of the top snubs this year.
In 31 games, Embiid has posted averages of 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. He is shooting the ball efficiently, making 49 percent of his shots from the field. Also, he’s averaging 1.1 blocks on the defensive end.
Without Embiid, the Sixers have won just 46 percent of their games (12-14). When he is healthy and on the court, that number improves to 61 percent (19-12).
The Sixers snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves recently. They are looking to put together a winning streak with their matchup against the Pacers, which is set for a 7 PM ET tip.