Joel Embiid found himself despondent during his 76ers injury absence. Embiid spent two seasons and parts of others rehabilitating, rehabbing, and resting — thanks, load management — in his NBA career, so he should be used to sitting on the sidelines.
His latest ailment, a torn meniscus in his left knee that required surgery and cost him two months of the season, had distinct effects.
I usually tell myself, "Move on to the next one," after injuries. “Get better and fix it,” Embiid added. “This one was mentally taxing. Depression. It was bad. Still psychologically off track. I just enjoy playing. I love basketball and want to play. I'll take any occasion to be outside.”
In his first game in nine weeks, Hall of Famer Allen Iverson and over 21,000 Sixers fans hailed him and yelled “MVP! MVP!” throughout the game. Embiid scored 24 points, had seven assists, six rebounds, and sank four free throws in the final 40 seconds to help the 76ers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 109-105 on Tuesday.
After being cleared to play, reigning NBA MVP Embiid played for the first time since his January injury. The Sixers fell in the Eastern Conference without him. The Sixers are 14-27 sans Embiid this season and 11-18 since his Jan. 30 injury in a Golden State loss. They were competing for a top-four East place before his injury.
Embiid, sporting a WWE T-shirt Triple H gave him before WrestleMania, couldn't pinpoint what caused his despair. His mental health suffered from another injury and seeing the Sixers lose game after game without him.
“It took me a while to get over it,” Embiid added. Still can't get over it. I must take it day-by-day. Focus on the positive. I'm back. My goal is to improve every day and return to myself.”
On tough days, 30-year-old Embiid relied on his wife and small son. After taking his 3-1/2-year-old son Arthur to and from school, Embiid played with him “all day” to forget about his NBA career.
follow for more upates.