Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid now has an unofficial target return date of “sometime in late March,” according to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

While that would allow for a return in time for the postseason, it will be up to the 76ers and Embiid to gauge whether that return is worth risking future knee issues for the 7-footer.

When the injury occurred, our panel of former head team physicians detailed what Embiid’s surgical options were.

With the recent positive timeline, it’s likely that Embiid underwent another trim surgery – his second career procedure on his left knee.

While that type of surgery allows for a quicker return (6-8 weeks depending on the athlete and recovery progress) it also can only be done a limited number of times before risking arthritis and permanent tissue damage.

Joel Embiid Return Timeline

Embiid underwent surgery on Feb. 6 and the team said he would be re-evaluated in four weeks. That four week mark is up in early March, but Embiid is still likely a ways off from returning to the court.

The earliest he could be cleared to ramp up activity would be in mid-to-late March, with the 76ers final regular season game quickly approaching on April 14.

The last time Embiid returned from meniscus surgery on the same knee, he had a full offseason to recover.

If he does return before the end of the regular season, expect him to wear a brace and have limited mobility – just like he did in last season’s playoffs when he suffered a right knee LCL sprain.

Embiid has previously said his goal this season was to get to the playoffs fully healthy, something he had not done in previous years.

However, if he is able to return for the opening rounds of the playoffs, he will be at less than 100%, according to our panel of doctors.

How much less than 100% will be revealed through video analysis when/if he retakes the floor this season.

76ers’ Record without Joel Embiid

Philadelphia has gone 7-17 without the 2023 MVP this season and the team is 3-7 in its last 10 games.

It has proved difficult to replicate the center’s production on both ends, as the team has averaged 110.8 points per game without the big man and allowed 117.29 points per game to opponents.

With Embiid in the lineup, the team averaged 121.4 points per game and allowed 111.21 points per game to opponents.

The 7-footer from Cameroon averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 34 games this season on 53.3/36.6/88.3 shooting splits.

Ahead of Friday's game, the 76ers (33-25) was in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, mere percentage points ahead of the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers.

Philadelphia was a half game ahead of the Miami Heat in the No. 8 spot and 5.5 games ahead of the Bulls at No. 9.