Joel Embiid injury update: 76ers star reportedly will return vs. Pacers

The 76ers will receive a boost to their lineup Sunday when they face the Pacers with the return of Joel Embiid.

After missing the past eight games due to left knee soreness, the center is expected to play against Indiana, according to ESPN, which cited unidentified sources.

The 76ers are 4-4 while Embiid has been sidelined, but coach Brett Brown insisted he didn't want to rush Embiid's return.

"The bottom line is we have come this far in relation to rest after the All-Star break — personally, I am at a stage where if it requires more time, so be it," Brown said earlier this week. "The endgame is obvious: It is trying to deliver him to the playoffs healthy. I do look up from time to time and pay attention to the calendar. It's not like you have an abundance of time."

Embiid is averaging 27.3 points and 13.5 rebounds this season while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from 3-point range.

Philadelphia enters Sunday with a 41-25 record and one game behind the third-ranked Pacers.