76ers News: Potential Joel Embiid return this season gets murky update

The Philadelphia 76ers are still projected to be in the playoff picture, but the team is currently hanging by a thread in the postseason race as they find themselves in seventh place in the East. At this rate, they could end up competing in the play-in tournament where their season could easily end up getting cut short.

By all odds, the franchise badly needs Joel Embiid to return in some capacity this season. First-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey and the team’s slew of veterans have done a fine job holding down the fort in his absence, but it’s pretty apparent that this team simply does not have the makings and stylings of a bona fide playoff threat sans the reigning Most Valuable Player.

Joel Embiid could return to the 76ers this season, but his timeline remains unknown

Initial prognoses on Embiid’s injury at the end of January were grim, but expectations of a return before the end of the season quickly stood firm. In fact, he’s made progress in his rehab to the point where the 76ers have openly admitted that they anticipate him returning to play before the playoffs.

However, recent intel from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps suggests that while that may be the case, there remains no definite timeline for his return, which also opens up the possibility of him not being ready to return to the hardwood before the playoffs begin.

It’s still within reason to forge an expectation that Embiid does come back this season given all the signals his camp and the team have given in recent weeks, but at this rate, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the team decides to shut him down if his reconditioning does not shape up in time for the postseason.

Also, the 76ers’ standing could also be a factor whether the team decides to let him return if he can or gives him the nod to continue his rehab and recover fully for the following campaign. Ultimately, everything is in the cards right now regarding Joel Embiid’s potential return to the court.