Former league MVP Joel Embiid has played in just 13 games for the Sixers this season. He’s missed a total of 32 games in 2024-25 and 400 games in his career due to injuries. When healthy, Embiid is one of the top players in the NBA but staying healthy has been an uphill battle.

The 76ers entered the 2024-25 season with hopes of competing atop the Eastern Conference pyramid. At present, they're clinging to life as not only one of the league's more disappointing sides but one of its worst.

Tyrese Maxey has emerged as the new leader of the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2024-25 NBA season, especially in light of Joel Embiid’s recurring absences. Recently, the guard spoke about stepping into this new role and the challenges it has brought.

The 76ers still think Joel Embiid, who’s played in just 13 games this season, is a franchise-level player. “We’re still really happy with Joel,” 76ers majority owner Josh Harris told The Athletic

The Sixers got some good news on Monday as Joel Embiid returned to practice. Albeit, as a partial participant, but it is something for Philadelphia as it moves forward. The big fella will remain out for both the matchups with the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, but Embiid practicing is a good sign going forward.

The other 76ers sidelined for this game against the Cavs are Caleb Martin (right hip sprain), Andre Drummond (left toe injury recovery), Kyle Lowry (right hip sprain), KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction) and Jared McCain (left knee meniscus surgery).

Even a few days later, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse made a point to rave about his team's defensive effort in Chicago. On the second leg of a home-road back-to-back, playing against one of the fastest-paced teams in recent memory, the Sixers were able to lock in as a defense and force a ton of late turnovers to put the game away.

The organization had high expectations after signing Paul George over the offseason to team up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, George's time in the City of Brotherly Love may be shortlived, according to Vince Goodwill of Yahoo! Sports .

Embiid, who has been out since Jan. 4 with a foot sprain and knee swelling stemming from last year's meniscus surgery, was a partial participant in Monday's practice, the team said.

Embiid has missed the last 11 games as he continues to battle with knee issues and is ruled out for the home games against the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings.

Winning league MVP in 2023, Embiid followed that campaign by playing just 39 games the next season. Having already missed 31 games entering Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Embiid is ineligible for season awards due to the league's 65-game minimum rule.

Joel Embiid returned to Philadelphia 76ers practise in a limited capacity on Monday, January 27 as the 30-year-old center is confirmed to miss the upcoming two fixtures with the Lo