The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing for their NBA season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks this week. The Sixers went 2-3 in the preseason without their star player <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/joel-embiid">Joel Embiid</a>, who is still recovering from an injury. Head coach Nick Nurse recently provided an update on Embiid’s progress.



Embiid, fresh off winning a gold medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics, missed the preseason due to injury. However, he has been seen participating in team practice in recent training camp footage.



Speaking to ClutchPoints reporter Sam DiGiovanni, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nick-nurse">Nurse</a> shared details on Embiid’s recovery: “I would say he’s going to be very limited in that stuff as the new normal. I think that he’s moving pretty good. He’s getting a lot of work in.”



Nurse added that while Embiid is making progress, he is not yet fully back: “He’s out there for 60 to 70 percent of team practice until we get to the more physical stuff.” Videos on social media have shown Embiid gradually ramping up his activity alongside his teammates.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="446" height="461" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241021_BUS_256820_image-15_1ce8365d.webp&amp;width=446&amp;height=461" alt="" class="wp-image-256883" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/image-15.png 446w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/image-15-290x300.png 290w" sizes="(max-width: 446px) 100vw, 446px"></figure><figcaption>Joel Embiid training. Via @SamDiGiovanni</figcaption></figure></div>



<h2>Is there an estimated return date for Embiid?</h2>



Ahead of the season opener, Nurse was cautious about setting a timeline for Embiid’s return, emphasizing that the team is taking a careful approach: “We’re trying to make sure we’re not overdoing it this early in the year.”


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With the calendar year nearing its end, the Sixers are hopeful that Embiid can make a full recovery soon and help propel the team during the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> regular season.



<h2>What’s next for the Sixers?</h2>



In their season opener, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers">Sixers</a> will face the Milwaukee Bucks, who had a rough preseason with a 1-3 record, their only win coming against the Bulls. The game presents an opportunity for Philadelphia to start the season strong, even if Embiid remains sidelined.



Sixers’ calendar for the beginning of the regular season:



<ul><li>vs. Bucks – Game 1</li><li>vs. Raptors – Game 2</li><li>vs. Pacers – Game 3</li><li>vs. Pistons – Game 4</li><li>vs. Grizzlies – Game 5</li></ul>

NBA News: 76ers HC Nick Nurse gives promising injury update on Joel Embiid

NBA News: 76ers HC Nick Nurse gives promising injury update on Joel Embiid - Bolavip US

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In the wake of an embarrassing elimination at the hands of the Celtics, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers">Philadelphia 76ers</a> decided to move on from <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-james-harden-is-done-with-doc-rivers-20230516-BUS-1312.html">Doc Rivers</a>. It didn’t take them long to find a new man for the job, with Nick Nurse immediately taking the reins.



Curiously, their new coach had also been fired recently, since the Toronto Raptors parted with him in April. Either way, the Sixers are already looking forward to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-3-potential-targets-for-the-philadelphia-76ers-20230528-BUS-3830.html">turning the page</a> after a string of playoff failures.



Nurse comes to town with a championship in his résumé, having led Toronto to its lone ring in 2019. He had also drawn interest from the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Suns</a> and Bucks, but there’s a reason why he preferred the City of Brotherly Love.



<h2>Nick Nurse mentions Daryl Morey as reason to snub Kevin Durant, Suns</h2>



“Well, there’s several things you’re evaluating,” Nurse said, via ClutchPoints. “First of all, I know what’s a good team because I’m in the trenches trying to battle you guys a lot. Pretty good rivalry, right? We saw each other a lot and playoffs and stuff as well. Certainly a big factor.



“And then, I think what’s most important is ownership. Just just like the other side, do your research, and everything I hear is super positiv. And I know Daryl and Daryl’s track record of getting players and putting together a roster that can compete for the title, I think speaks for itself. And that’s what made it a fairly easy decision in the end.”



Turning down the possibility to coach a team with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul in the same roster is never an easy choice to make, which is why this speaks volumes of Nurse’s trust in Daryl Morey.



During his time with the Raptors, he faced the Sixers on many occasions in the playoffs. Now he’ll be coaching his former rivals, who need someone to guide them to the promised land once and for all.

NBA News: Nick Nurse explains why he chose Joel Embiid's Sixers over Kevin Durant's Suns - Bolavip US

NBA News: Nick Nurse explains why he chose Joel Embiid's Sixers over Kevin Durant's Suns

It’s the dawn of a new era for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers. </a>They will no longer be held hostage by <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/Former-Clippers-star-blames-Doc-Rivers-for-never-winning-a-ring-20230421-0016.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doc Rivers</a>, and Nick Nurse might as well be the breath of fresh air they need to pursue an <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> championship.



Nurse was one of the main guys and best coaches available out there right now, and they had to face some steep competition to land him. But he was also eager to arrive at the City of Brotherly Love.



According to a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Nurse actually chose the Sixers over<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Kevin Durant’s</a> Phoenix Suns because he wanted to coach reigning MVP Joel Embiid.



<h2>Nick Nurse Wanted To Coach Joel Embiid</h2>



“The Sixers and Phoenix Suns were engaged with Nurse and his agent, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports, throughout Sunday and Monday, leaving Nurse with a difficult decision between two contending teams, sources said,“ Wojnarowski reported.



“Nurse’s desire to coach MVP Joel Embiid and his history with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey played a significant part in his decision to commit to a deal with Philadelphia, sources said. Nurse separated himself in the interview process, selling a vision for the Sixers centered on Embiid,” Woj continued.



“Embiid will be the first player to win the MVP and start the next season on the same team with a new coach since the Lakers’ Magic Johnson in 1990-91,” concluded the report.



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It’s not every day that a coach chooses you over Kevin Durant, so Embiid should be quite excited about everything Nurse might be planning for him. Hopefully, he’ll manage to stay healthy and live up to those expectations.



It’s been quite a while since the Sixers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, let alone the NBA Finals, and the narrative around Embiid has drastically shifted after a subpar postseason run.

Nick Nurse

NBA News: 76ers HC Nick Nurse gives promising injury update on Joel Embiid

NBA News: Nick Nurse explains why he chose Joel Embiid's Sixers over Kevin Durant's Suns

Nick Nurse's shocking reason to choose the Sixers over the Suns