Sixers big man Joel Embiid is seen practicing with full contact in Toronto as he nears a return from injury after damaging his meniscus last month

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid was spotted practicing with his team in Toronto as he continues to rehab from a meniscus injury.

Embiid was spotted taking part in drills and is now able to practice with full contact, according to reports.

One Philadelphia sports reporter said, ‘He is getting close. There is some hope he could return this week.’

Embiid has been out since the beginning of February after he clashed knees with Golden State Warriors big man Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga dove for a loose ball and fell on Embiid’s knee – injuring him and keeping him out for a number of games.

Embiid has been out injured since February after hurting his meniscus vs. the Warriors

His hopes of winning back-to-back MVPs is dashed after missing too many games

It is not clear when Embiid will return to playing, but coach Nick Nurse feels that it could be before the end of the regular season.

‘That’s always a positive for the team, that you see him around,’ Nurse said. ‘And they know he must be moving forward.’

Embiid’s hopes of winning back-to-back MVP awards is now essentially over – considering the new requirements for minimum games played to be eligible for the honor.

But he’ll hope instead to try and lead the Sixers to success in the playoffs. 

Philly has been to the NBA Playoffs six years in a row and has never reached the Eastern Conference Finals. That includes three trips to the conference semifinals where the Sixers lost in seven games, once where they lost in six games, and once where they lost in five.