Joel Embiid’s stellar 2022-23 season, which culminated with the Philadelphia 76ers middle receiving NBA MVP honors, looks like a distant reminiscence. The 7-footer’s professional basketball profession has been hampered by accidents, with knee points contributing to his newest setback.
On Friday, the Sixers introduced the seven-time NBA All-Star can be pressured to observe video games from the sideline for the remainder of the season as a result of a left knee damage. He underwent a process to deal with the knee issues final February, however by no means appeared to return to kind. Emiid and the Sixers tried to handle the ache and swelling within the knee this season previous to shutting him down.
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid walks off the court docket after the 76ers misplaced an Emirates NBA Cup basketball recreation towards the New York Knicks, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Picture/Matt Slocum)
The 76ers stated the choice to close down Embiid by the stretch of the 2024-25 marketing campaign was made as soon as it was decided he was “medically unable to play.”
“The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding ongoing issues with his left knee. After further evaluation, it has been determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the remainder of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation,” the group stated in a press release.
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“We are working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan and will update media when we have more information. The team and specialists will continue working with Joel to ensure the best path forward for his long-term health and performance.”
Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid watches from the bench through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation towards the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Picture/Darron Cummings)
Counting the 164 video games he missed his first two seasons after he was the third total decide within the 2014 NBA Draft and what’s left of this season, Embiid may have performed in 452 of 883 76ers’ video games by the tip of this season — lacking almost 50% of the common season.
The 76ers are 8-11 with Embiid this season, and 12-27 with out him.
Embiid has been hobbled by accidents all season, and served a three-game suspension for shoving a member of the media. He’s averaged 23.8 factors — he averaged a minimum of 30 and received two scoring titles the final three seasons — and scored solely 29 factors mixed in his final two video games.
Embiid acknowledged earlier this month he might must bear one other surgical procedure on the left knee.
Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a free throw through the recreation towards the San Antonio Spurs on January 22, 2024 on the Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures))
“I think the straightforward answer is that when you’ve got something that’s inconsistent, at some point, you’ve got to do something about it,” Embiid stated. “We don’t know what it is. We’re looking into every option.”
He performed simply 39 video games final season as a result of a torn meniscus in his left knee. Embiid did win a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic group final 12 months on the Paris Video games.
He has performed solely 58 regular-season video games and 7 play-in event and playoff video games since he earned league MVP honors.
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Embiid signed a $193 million contract extension forward of the season and has banked almost $266 million in profession earnings.
Philadelphia entered this season as one of many favorites to contend for an NBA title, however the group is within the midst of a nine-game dropping streak. The Sixers entered Friday within the twelfth spot within the Jap Convention standings.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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