After missing Philadelphia’s series finale against Brooklyn in the opening round and Game 1 of its current Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Celtics, NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid is expected to return from an LCL sprain in his knee for tonight’s Game 2 at Boston.

Stadium’s NBA Insider Shams Charania was the first to report the news this morning. He added in as a caveat that Embiid is on track to play “barring any setbacks.”

Embiid garnered his first NBA Most Valuable Player award last night, hooking up his betting backers with a +600 payout from back in the preseason.

Then he reportedly declared to his teammates, “I’m back.”

In 66 regular-season games, Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocked shots and 1.0 steals per game. In three postseason contests, he has averaged 20.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.3 blocked shots and 1.0 SPG.

For tonight’s Game 2, Boston was listed as a 9.5 to 10.5-point favorite late last night and early this morning at most books. However, the Celtics are now at -7.5 at most spots.

The total opened anywhere from 217.5 to 218.5 late Monday night. It dropped to as low as 216 points at some spots late Tuesday afternoon, only to move to back up to 216.5 or 217 by early this morning.

With Embiid now expected to play, the total is 217 or 217.5 at most betting shops. The 76ers have moved from +400 on the money line into the +270 to +280 range.

Without Embiid, Philadelphia won the series opener Monday night, 119-115, thanks to a spectacular 45-point effort from former NBA MVP James Harden. The 76ers won outright as 10.5-point underdogs and cashed +400 money-line tickets.

Harden drained 17-of-30 field-goal attempts and 7-of-14 launches from 3-point territory. He also dished out six assists and had a pair of steals.

Tyrese Maxey added 26 points, Tobias Harris finished with 18 and De’Anthony Melton scored all 17 of his points in the first half on five made treys.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern tonight on TNT.