Joel Embiid hopes to return from knee injury next week for 76ers

Team Giannis’ Joel Embiid, of the Philadelphia 76ers, speaks with Rapper 2 Chainz ahead of the first half of an NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid expects to return to the lineup next week from a sore left knee that has cost him the last five games.

Embiid sat out again Saturday night against the Golden State Warriors and has not played since the All-Star game. The 24-year-old Embiid is averaging 27.3 points and 13.5 rebounds in 54 games for the Sixers. Embiid underwent an MRI last week, which revealed no structural damage, and he will undergo physical therapy

“It’s all about long term preservation and making sure I’m ready not just for the playoffs, but also for the next 15 years,” Embiid said.

Embiid said he could “for sure” play through the mild tendinitis but wanted to rest up for the stretch run and the playoffs. Embiid also dismissed any connection between his soreness and playing 23 minutes in the All-Star game.

He did not give a specific game for his return, but the Sixers play again Tuesday against Orlando, and three more times through March 10.

The Sixers played short-handed against the Warriors: big men Boban Marjanovic (right knee sprain) and Amir Johnson (upper-back tightness) also sat out with injuries. Jonah Bolden started for Embiid, and the backup was Justin Patton, who hasn’t played this season.

Sixers coach Brett Brown said Embiid was right to shut himself down for a bit if he needed rest to benefit what was best for his long-term outlook.

“I know it’s on everybody’s mind to try and press him and pin him to something maybe a little bit more concrete and less mist,” he said. “It’s hard to say, ‘this is the day.’ I do feel like he and the organization are working hand-in-hand. He came to us, we listened, as we should. I think he feels like he’s getting ahead of it, on top of it.”