Sixers Star Joel Embiid Could Return to Action Tuesday Against OKC

There's a chance the superstar center will return from injury against the Thunder on TNT.

Jan 12, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to roll, but have a tough close to the season ahead. Currently on a road trip, the next team on the schedule is the Philadelphia 76ers. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, that could be the game in which superstar center Joel Embiid makes his return from injury. The reigning NBA MVP has reportedly completed multiple five-on-five scrimmage sessions in recent days.

This will significantly change Tuesday's game if Embiid does indeed play, especially as it relates to rookie Chet Holmgren. He's had a phenomenal season, but Embiid will be a tough test for the young big. In the 34 games he played before going down on Jan. 30 with a left meniscus injury, Embiid averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.8 blocks per contest. He was very much in the MVP race and Philadelphia was one of the better teams in the NBA.

The Thunder's matchup against the 76ers on Tuesday is a National TV game that will be broadcast on TNT, making it an even more exciting game. Assuming he plays, this will be another opportunity for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to make his own MVP case as the regular season nears its end. In Oklahoma City's last contest on Sunday against the New York Knicks, he hit the game-winner to clinch a playoff spot for the Thunder.

Next, there's a chance Gilgeous-Alexander will go head-to-head with Joel Embiid.

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