PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid ‘s timeline to return to the Philadelphia 76ers is still unclear following knee surgery. His availability this summer for the U.S. Olympic team is just as murky.
U.S. coach Steve Kerr texted this week with Embiid, mostly to wish the NBA MVP well in his recovery from Tuesday’s procedure to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee. Kerr even hoped to meet up with Embiid — out at least four weeks, likely much longer — before the Warriors played the 76ers on Wednesday night.
Kerr said he just wanted to say hello.
The Warriors coach might not get a chance to see much more of Embiid beyond this week, with knee surgery, rehabilitation — even the 76ers’ wishes — all playing a role in determining the 7-footer’s shot at Olympic gold.
“There’s not a whole lot we can do about it,” Kerr said ahead of Wednesday’s game. “We’re hoping that he’s healthy and ready to go. If not, we’ll have to replace him.”
The NBA’s two-time scoring champion, Embiid told USA Basketball in October that, after more than a year of deliberating, he had picked the Americans over France as his team for the Paris Olympics.