![Joel Embiid makes injury return for 76ers to upend Eastern Conference playoff picture](https://i2-prod.themirror.com/incoming/article418531.ece/ALTERNATES/s98/0_joel-embiid-GettyImages-2121058555jpeg.jpg)
Reigning MVP is expected to make his return against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing more than a month of the 2023-24
NBA regular season. Embiid in early February against the Golden State Warriors and it was revealed the 30-year-old would need to undergo surgery to repair the damage. At the time, it was would knock out Embiid for the remainder of the regular season as the surgery required removing a portion of Embiid's meniscus. It was reported that there was a displaced flap in his left meniscus, and despite what the injury might have been, the 76ers front office had been wary of a potential return for their star player. That said, the time frame for Embiid's recovery process, with the center slated to miss at least four weeks. At the time of his return, Embiid will have missed seven weeks because of the injury and Philadelphia will have seven games left in its season before the playoffs begin, which is key considered where the 76ers sit in the Eastern Conference standings.