NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
PHILADELPHIA (AP)— Joel Embiid is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week, marking the latest effort to ensure the All-Star center is fit to compete in the coming season.
Embiid was declared out for the remainder of the season in late February, with the Sixers confirming he would concentrate on treatment and rehabilitation for his left knee.
The team indicated that further news regarding Embiid’s condition would be shared after the procedure.
Once considered strong contenders for the NBA title in the preseason, the Sixers have been eliminated from playoff contention and currently hold a record of 23-53 as they prepare to face Milwaukee on Thursday.
By the end of this season, and taking into account the 164 games he missed during his first two seasons after being drafted No. 3 overall in 2014, Embiid will have participated in just 452 out of 883 games with the 76ers, representing nearly 50% of missed regular-season games.
Throughout the season, Embiid has struggled with various injuries and also faced a three-game suspension for an incident involving a media member. He averaged 23.8 points per game this season, a decline from his performances in the previous three seasons when he maintained an average of over 30 points and secured two scoring titles.
Last season, he played only 39 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee, which required surgical intervention announced by the 76ers in early February. He returned in early April to contribute to the 76ers’ playoff efforts and later won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team at the Paris Games.
Since being named NBA MVP for the 2022-23 season, Embiid has appeared in just 58 regular-season games and seven games during the Play-In Tournament/playoffs.
“The way I was playing a year ago is not how I’m playing now,” Embiid remarked earlier this season. “I need to address the underlying issues before I can return to that level. It’s difficult to have faith in your abilities when you’re not performing at your best.”
Embiid has faced numerous injuries since before he entered the NBA, starting with a stress fracture in his right foot prior to being drafted from Kansas, which set him back for two years. Since then, he has dealt with a variety of injuries including bone bruises, a meniscus tear, a fractured orbital bone, a sprained shoulder, tendinitis, torn ligaments, and even Bell’s palsy.
He openly acknowledged experiencing depression as a result of his injuries and ultimately sought therapy to cope with their impact on his life.
“It’s tough when you find yourself in those moments and it’s hard not to feel down about yourself, especially when you know your potential and what you can achieve, but it’s not the reality,” Embiid shared in December. “One important lesson I’ve learned is to stop feeling sorry for myself and focus on living each day to the fullest, surrounding myself with good people and positivity instead of negativity.”
