NBA

Sixers coach Nick Nurse says there are no plans to shut down Joel Embiid

Author photo
By
Joe Lyons
Author photo
Joe Lyons Sports Editor

Joe Lyons is a sports writer and basketball expert for Basketball Insiders. Joe has a keen eye for the betting markets within the NBA and a great passion for the game of basketball. also been published by Nottingham Forest FC, working with the academy and senior teams to produce content on matchdays. He formerly covered the Premier League and EFL as an on-site reporter during the 2020/21 season for Prost International. He is an expert in a range of other sports including soccer, horse racing darts and American football. Joe specialises in long form SEO content alongside news, tips and betting.

All posts by Joe Lyons
Sports Editor

Updated05 Dec 2024

NBA: Philadelphia 76ers at Memphis Grizzlies

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse has confirmed there are no plans to shut Joel Embiid down for the season.

Embiid hasn’t featured since November 20 as he continues to deal with a left knee injury, but Nurse confirmed as soon as the player is ready he’ll be back on the floor.

The former league MVP has played in just four games to start the season, each resulting in a Philadelphia loss – and the team is deeply struggling to start the year with a 5-15 record after 20 games.

“We’re still trying to get him [on the court]. After a good workout, we need to see how it reacts. We go tomorrow again. As soon as it’s good enough to go, he’s going to go.”

It’s been nothing short of a season of controversy for the 30-year-old, who was suspended for three games last month after shoving a member of the press in the Sixers locker room.

WATCH: Nick Nurse confirms Joel Embiid will return as soon as possible

Philadelphia desperately need their star player back on the court to turn things around

A team with Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and a number of productive role players should be challenging for the conference title.

However, according to the best online betting sites, Philadelphia’s odds to win the East have drifted to as big as +1800 following their horrid start to the campaign.

It could be argued that star rookie Jared McCain has been their best player so far, and that shouldn’t be the case for a roster with so many big names on board.

There is supposedly a chance that Embiid will return for Friday’s game against the Orlando Magic, but it’s probably not worth betting on.