Joel Embiid says he’s fine and on track for the Olympics

DALLAS (AP) — Joel Embiid was in the NBA Finals and said his next stop is the Olympics.

The Philadelphia 76ers center, who missed more than half of the regular season and then struggled in the playoffs with a knee injury, said in a television interview that he is on the mend and believes he will be ready to play. The U.S. will compete in the Paris Games starting next month.

„I’m doing my best. Getting ready for the Olympics,” Embiid said on ABC’s pregame show before Game 4 between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. „It’s going to be huge for me because I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a kid.”

Embiid’s health improved One of the questions The US list has been around since it was revealed earlier this spring. He is one of three centers on the list, along with Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis.

Other injury questions in recent weeks have surrounded the status of Indiana’s Tyrese Halliburton and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, both of whom limped or were sidelined during the playoffs. The Pacers expect Halliburton — who has been dealing with a hamstring problem — to be ready for the start of USA camp in Las Vegas on July 5; Leonard missed 12 of the Clippers’ final 14 games this season with right knee inflammation.

Embiid had options Which team to play for this summer? He could have played for France and his home country Cameroon – which still has a chance of qualifying for the 12-team field. But in October, he chose to play for the United States because his son is American.

„For the last few years, every decision I’ve made has been based on family,” Embiid said last year when revealing his decision. „My family, my son, and having the opportunity to represent a country like America, my son was born here … I love my home country, but I really want to play in the Olympics.”