OKLAHOMA CITY -- Joel Embiid and the Sixers can now officially begin the next step toward his return.
The team announced on Wednesday Embiid will undergo surgery on his left knee to repair a meniscus tear in the coming days (see story), marking the newest chapter in his recovery from the injury discovered in January.
"I think it's just going to plan," Brown said of the surgery before the Sixers' game against the Thunder.
The Sixers shut down Embiid for the season earlier this month. Surgery had been an option since then. Embiid has been to the West Coast where he met with doctors to gather additional information and opinions.
The tear was discovered during an MRI after Embiid suffered a bone bruise on Jan. 20. There were no changes in the tear between the first and second MRI, but a third scan revealed it was "more pronounced."
Before Embiid underwent surgery on the meniscus, the Sixers wanted to make sure the bone bruise had healed.
"There's been tremendous due diligence, there's been tremendous research," Brown said. "The club and everybody showed tremendous patience in trying to learn in fairness to Joel, who's taken an active role in this, as he should. Soon we'll be able to give some finality and more clarity to this news."
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The Sixers have not announced a timetable for Embiid's return and whether or not he is expected to be ready for the start of next season. The location of the operation will be disclosed after it is completed.
"I just hope he gets healthy and makes his way back," Gerald Henderson said.
What is certain is how much of a change Brown has seen in Embiid from his first surgery on his foot in 2014 when the Sixers drafted him third overall.
"This time around, you just saw a far more mature, inquisitive person," Brown said, "very much understanding that this is his profession and he's curious about what direction this is all going. It is far different than a kid out of Kansas that I met three years ago. I say that with complete respect and complete confidence that he will handle this as a pro."
Jahlil Okafor also underwent surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee exactly one year ago. Given Embiid's experience with injuries, he doesn't plan to share recovery tips but rather encourage him to get well.
"He's been through a couple surgeries himself. He knows what he has to do," Okafor said. "He knows how to handle it the right way to make sure he's in the best situation so he can play next season. I can't really give him any advice. ... Best wishes to him and I hope for a speedy recovery."
This offseason will be Embiid's third of rehab. He's been down this road before, and the Sixers hope this path brings him to a full season of health.
"It's good to hear that they're getting on it," Nik Stauskas said. "Obviously, he's going to have the whole summer to recover from it. It's probably good timing to get on it now and give him four, five, maybe even six months to fully get better from it. We're all praying for him, we're hoping for the best and hopefully, the results of his surgery are exactly what he needs and he has a speedy recovery."