Sixers’ Joel Embiid to play against Timberwolves after missing past 10 games with left knee bone bruise

As expected, Joel Embiid will play Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Wells Fargo Center.

The 76ers had missed the previous 10 games after suffering a left knee bone bruise on March 12 against the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena.

Doc Rivers said Embiid looked “pretty good” while participating in Saturday morning’s shootaround. Embiid’s status for the game, however, was determined after his pregame workout.

“I don’t expect him to play to 35 or 40 minutes, but we’ll see,” Rivers said when asked pregame about a minutes restriction for Embiid. “I mean, he looked great. Looked in great condition. So we’re all good.”

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Before the injury, Embiid was the frontrunner for league MVP.

The four-time All-Star center is averaging 29.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

He suffered the knee injury in the third quarter of the 127-101 victory over the Wizards.

He landed awkwardly after dunking the ball with 6 minutes, 27 seconds left in the third quarter. His knee bent back, obviously in the wrong direction, as he hyperextended it.

After falling to the ground, grabbing his left knee while in obvious pain, Embiid was on the court for over a minute as his teammates rushed to his aid. They even requested a stretcher for their fallen comrade. However, he was able to limp off the court, with some assistance, and into the locker room without the stretcher.

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Embiid had 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 20 minutes, 24 seconds of action at the time of the injury.