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Joel Embiid's road to preparing for an NBA debut has taken a bit of an interesting route. The Sixers top pick in the 2014 NBA Draft has been putting in some serious work in pre-game workouts as he continues to recover from a navicular fracture in his foot. He's still considered unlikely to make his debut this season but has looked to be in great shape. Prior to Friday night's game against the Utah Jazz, Embiid was video taped throwing down a between the legs dunk, widely considered a pretty strong sign he's healthy.
Since then, Embiid did not take part in pre-game workouts before Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks, and wasn't see at practice on Monday. There may be a good reason behind it.
On Sunday, Liberty Ballers received a tip that Joel Embiid was wearing a walking boot once again on his injured foot, something he had not done for at least several weeks prior. We weren't able to get any further confirmation, but Sixers beat writer Tom Moore was.
Told #Sixers Embiid was wearing boot on foot Sun for protective reasons, not because he's had real setback. #76ers #NBA h/t @DerekBodnerNBA
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) March 9, 2015
For a guy who has been without a boot for a good period of time now, it's certainly bizarre for him to be wearing one again if his condition is unchanged. Walking boots are certainly not conducive for a guy who is supposed to be healthy.
It may end up being something minor, but to say it's for "protective reasons" doesn't make sense at this stage in his rehab.
Update: 5:56 PM (by Derek):
Tom Moore has since tweeted out that he has been told that Embiid suffered a "minor setback".
Now being told Joel Embiid has experienced 'minor setback' with right foot. #Sixers
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) March 9, 2015