Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid returns vs. Thunder

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid is in the starting lineup for the first time since Jan. 30 for Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Embiid has been rehabbing from left meniscus surgery and returns with seven games left in the Sixers' regular season.

Philadelphia will be without Embiid's star running mate, however, as Tyrese Maxey is sidelined with left hip tightness. This is the second straight game he's missed. 

The Thunder, meanwhile, are without stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) and Jalen Williams (ankle). 

Embiid was playing at an MVP-level before his injury, leading the league in scoring with 35.3 points per game to go along with 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

Philadelphia enters Tuesday's game as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, 2½ games behind the Miami Heat for No. 7 and 3½ games behind the Indiana Pacers for No. 6.