On Wednesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ star center Joel Embiid returned with a bang.
Coming off a long recovery due to an oblique injury, the seven-time All-Star picked up right where he left off.
In Wednesday’s matchup (March 25) against the Chicago Bulls, Embiid checked in for 28 minutes.
The star center shot 12-17 from the field, hitting on all three of his threes, and going 8-9 from the charity stripe.
Joel Embiid finished the game with 35 points. He also came down with six rebounds, produced seven assists, and blocked one shot.
All season long, Embiid’s health has been a concern, considering the way the past two seasons have played out. But on Wednesday night, Embiid made a major statement regarding one of his biggest concerns of the season.
Joel Embiid Addresses The Knee Concerns
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after making a basket against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 25, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
“My knees haven’t been an issue for a long time. That’s past me,” Embiid told reporters after the Sixers’ 157-137 win over the Bulls.
Knee injuries have been a career-long concern for Embiid, but especially lately. In 2023-2024, Embiid finished the season with 39 games played. He missed a large chunk of the year after getting surgery on his knee.
Embiid managed to return just before the Sixers’ playoff run in 2024, but he was dealing with notable aftereffects of the surgery. In 2024-2025, the star big man played in just 19 games. He decided to undergo another procedure to correct the issue again.
At times throughout the 2025-2026 season, Embiid missed some games due to knee soreness. But his latest issue didn’t have anything to do with his knee.
“The oblique was very tricky, and it still is tricky. Really, nothing you can do about it, gotta let it ride and hope it doesn’t get worse,” Embiid explained.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Phoenix Suns at the Wells Fargo Center on November 04, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
When it comes to production, Embiid didn’t take a hit on Wednesday. His availability moving forward will depend on how his body responds.
“I’m just following whatever plan they have,” Embiid said of the medical staff. “They have a plan, so whatever they tell me, I guess I’m going to do it.”
The Sixers will be back on the court on Saturday, March 28, for a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. Embiid’s status for that matchup is unclear.