Part and parcel of what makes the Philadelphia 76ers the most unpredictable team in the league entering the 2025-26 season is the fact that literally no one has a clear idea on the status of their best player, Joel Embiid. But now, it seems like pressing concerns about his immediately availability should perhaps relax a bit.
Not a lot of people (us included) are expecting Embiid to be in uniform for most of the games slated for next season, especially after he appeared in just 19 outings last season, and only in 39 contests in the campaign preceding that. It also did not help that the 76ers will have the most draining schedule in the upcoming season.
The 76ers, however, decided to put some governor on everyone’s worries. Just a while aback, the team’s social media team released a few clips of the team practicing, and Embiid was an active participant therein. That alone would be a massive, encouraging sign, but the same clip took things up a notch.
In the same video, Embiid was seen without wearing any protective gear or braces on his injured and surgically repaired knee, fueling speculation about his availability for the looming training camp and preseason.
76ers drop huge hint as Joel Embiid looks healthier than expected in newly released clip
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) September 10, 2025
Of course, the rigors of practice and workouts are far-flung from the gruels of actual NBA games, but Embiid being actively involved in on-court preparations at this juncture is pretty telling of the unexpected fact that his condition could be much better than expected.
At this point in time last year, Embiid was nowhere near to even suiting up on the hardwood for mere workouts, culminating in him missing the start of the season en route to being in uniform for only less than a quarter of the year.
Hopefully, there would be no more setbacks for the superstar big man. The 76ers, after all, are going nowhere without him operating like the MVP-caliber player he is when healthy. As last season proved, Embiid is still the one that steers the wheel for the franchise.
It would be prudent to still temper expectations given that the 76ers themselves have not yet confirmed his availability in training camp, but if this goes on, Joel Embiid could shock the league and even turn in a comeback season for the ages.
And if so, watch out, NBA.