Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse has delivered a cautiously optimistic but noncommittal update on Joel Embiid’s recovery. He admitted he is not quite sure whether the star center will be ready for training camp.
Speaking at the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Europe camp in Manchester, Nurse praised Embiid’s progress but stressed that health should dictate the timeline, not deadlines.
Nick Nurse Gives Update on Joel Embiid’s Recovery
Talking to talkSPORT, Nurse said, “All the news is positive. I know he’s working very, very hard, and I think things look good. Whether he’s ready for training camp or not, I think there’s a lot more decisions to make before we get there.”
His comments come with the Sixers’ training camp just a month away. Philadelphia will be part of the league’s Abu Dhabi games against the New York Knicks in October. The champion coach added that the team’s goal is to get Embiid back on the court for a longer stretch.
“Our main thing is that he’s healthy to play and play to his nearest capabilities, because he’s awesome, no doubt about that.”
Exclusive from Manchester: Philly head coach Nick Nurse says he’s unsure if Joel Embiid will be ready for #76ers training camp and several decisions must be made before the former #NBA MVP receives a green lighthttps://t.co/zoU27oOtaw pic.twitter.com/GoWkvmsNkw
— Brian T. Smith (@BTSmithUK) August 13, 2025
What Happened to Joel Embiid, and Can the 76ers Win Without Him?
The 31-year-old Embiid underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April after playing just 19 games last season. His absence was a major factor in the Sixers’ 24-58 finish, their worst record since 2016-17. They cycled through 40 different players because of injuries.
“We had a really unfortunate season last year,” Nurse said. “We just could not get away from the injury bug at all. Not only was Joel Embiid our former MVP from just a couple of years ago, I think he played (19) games — that was one thing. But it was almost four, five, six guys every night. We just never could get any continuity. We used an incredible 40 different players last year.”
Embiid has been Philadelphia’s franchise cornerstone for almost a decade, but the organization’s dependency on him is glaring. Last season, he averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Despite this, the Sixers struggled to stay competitive without him.
With Paul George limited to 41 games and Tyrese Maxey shouldering the scoring load, the team’s lack of depth was exposed.
The uncertainty around Embiid’s readiness adds to growing concerns about his long-term durability. Over the past two seasons, he has appeared in as many as 58 games.
While the team remains optimistic publicly, league insiders question whether he can return to his full MVP form soon. Some speculate that his persistent pain could affect his career outlook.
Philadelphia’s struggles without Embiid also point toward a structural weakness. The Sixers need to rely more on others, like Maxey, a dynamic offensive weapon, and George, who brings All-Star pedigree. But neither can replicate Embiid’s two-way dominance. Ensuring his long-term health is of utmost importance for the franchise.
