Joel Embiid’s remarkable 2022-23 season, which saw him crowned NBA MVP, now feels like a distant past. The towering center’s professional basketball journey has been plagued by injuries, with ongoing knee issues leading to his latest challenge. On Friday, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that the seven-time NBA All-Star would be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a left knee injury. Despite undergoing a procedure to address his knee problems last February, Embiid struggled to regain his previous form. Throughout this season, he and the team attempted to manage the pain and swelling before ultimately deciding to shut him down.
The 76ers stated that the decision to end Embiid’s season was made after it was determined he was “medically unable to play.” In a statement, the team noted, “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 team is collaborating with medical experts to establish a treatment plan and will provide updates as more information becomes available. They are committed to working with Embiid to ensure the best approach for his long-term health and performance.
Considering the 164 games he missed during his first two seasons after being selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, along with the remainder of this season, Embiid will have participated in 452 of 883 games for the 76ers by season’s end, missing nearly 50% of the regular season. The 76ers have a record of 8-11 with Embiid this season and 12-27 without him.
Throughout the season, Embiid has faced various injuries and even served a three-game suspension for an incident involving a media member. He has averaged 23.8 points this season, a significant drop from his previous three seasons where he averaged over 30 points and secured two scoring titles. In his last two games, he managed only 29 points combined.
Earlier this month, Embiid acknowledged the possibility of needing another surgery on his left knee, stating, “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. We don’t know what it is. We’re looking into every option.” Last season, he played just 39 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee, although he did win a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team at the Paris Games.
Since earning the MVP title, Embiid has participated in only 58 regular-season games and seven play-in tournament and playoff games. He signed a $193 million contract extension before the season and has accumulated nearly $266 million in career earnings. The Philadelphia 76ers entered this season as strong contenders for the NBA title but are currently facing significant challenges.