The much-awaited return of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid seems to be getting closer. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the 7-foot center is in the final stages of his return process and is expected to make his debut in the upcoming season.

Charania shared the news on Thursday's episode of SportsCenter, revealing that Embiid has been participating in multiple 5-on-5 scrimmages in recent days. The team is currently evaluating his conditioning and knee health through scheduled workouts, and a return as early as this weekend is not out of the question.

But what's interesting is that this return process for Embiid has been described as "the new normal". The 76ers have implemented a new strategy to keep their star player healthy and ready for the playoffs, which includes regular check-ups on his knee and planned rest periods throughout the season.

This approach has caught the attention of the league, resulting in a $100,000 fine for the 76ers for public comments about Embiid's status. The NBA conducted an investigation and found that Embiid is rehabbing a left knee condition, contradicting the team's statements about his overall health.

Last season, Embiid had an impressive average of 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. However, his season was cut short due to an injured lateral meniscus in his left knee. He missed two months of regular-season games but was able to return for the playoffs, where he averaged over 40 minutes per game and put up impressive numbers.

Embiid then went on to represent Team USA at the Summer Olympics and helped them secure a gold medal. But unfortunately, the 27-year-old has been dealing with left knee issues leading up to the 2024-25 season. The 76ers announced that he would miss the entire preseason for left knee management, and Charania reported that he would also miss the team's first two regular-season games.

However, there is good news that Embiid's progress is on track, and he has been participating in scrimmages. The 76ers will undoubtedly need a healthy Embiid to have a shot at the championship this season, as they went 31-8 with him last year and only 16-27 without him.

The team's start to the 2024-25 season without Embiid and Paul George has been less than ideal, with a record of 1-3. But once Embiid makes his debut, the 76ers' chances of success will surely increase.

It's no secret that Embiid's health is crucial to the success of the 76ers. He is a dominant force on both ends of the court and has proven to be an essential part of the team's success. With his return on the horizon, the 76ers and their fans have reason to be excited and hopeful for the upcoming season. Let's hope that this "new normal" approach will keep Embiid healthy and ready to lead the 76ers to a championship.