Joel Embiid has been cleared to make his preseason debut Friday against the Timberwolves

As it seemed that Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ready to start the seasonthat feeling was heightened by recent news regarding the team’s last game. With fans locking theirs bold predictions for the 76ersit relies on knowing Embiid’s status, and Chris Haynes provides a big preseason update.

According to Haynes, Embiid “is cleared” will play in Philadelphia’s final preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, making his debut.

“Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid (knee) has been cleared to make his preseason debut tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell me,” Haynes wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Hines reported Thursday that Embiid “turned the corner” about his recovery, even after surgery on his left knee in April.

“He looks good in practice. People I talked to said he turned the corner, and he turned that much,” Haynes told NBA TV on Thursday. “He went through surgery in April, his left knee, and that’s something that’s been a problem for him the last couple of years, but he’s turned a corner, and sources tell me he could make his preseason debut tomorrow against the Minnesota Timberwolves.”

76ers to be “very careful” with Joel Embiid

While fans were hoping a 76ers’ timeline for Embiid’s injuryanother is the question of the limitations the star center will have when it inevitably returns. Haynes would say Embiid “will be on a tight schedule” and that Philly plans to be “very cautious the rest of the season.”

“And now I want to say this, because I want to warn people when you talk about Embiid, so it looks good for him to open the season, but when he comes back, I’m told it’s going to be a busy schedule,” Haynes said. “So just because when he comes back, it doesn’t mean he’s going to be an everyday, available player. They’re going to be very careful the rest of the season with him.”

Either way, it remains to be seen how limited Embiid will be in Friday’s preseason game against the Timberwolves and ultimately throughout the season. The 76ers open the regular season on Oct. 22 against the Boston Celtics.