Joel Embiid’s stellar 2022-23 season, which culminated with the Philadelphia 76ers middle receiving NBA MVP honors, looks as if 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 could be pressured to look at video games from the sideline for the remainder of the season resulting from a left knee harm. He underwent a process to handle 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 courtroom after the 76ers misplaced an Emirates NBA Cup basketball sport towards the New York Knicks, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Picture/Matt Slocum)
The 76ers mentioned 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 prime specialists relating to ongoing points together with his left knee. After additional analysis, it has been decided that he’s medically unable to play and can miss the rest of the season to concentrate on therapy and rehabilitation,” the group mentioned in a press release.
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“We’re working with medical specialists to find out the precise therapy plan and can replace media when now we have extra data. The group and specialists will proceed working with Joel to make sure the very best path ahead for his long-term well being and efficiency.”
Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid watches from the bench throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport 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 choose 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 top of this season — lacking practically 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 at the very least 30 and gained 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 could must bear one other surgical procedure on the left knee.
Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a free throw throughout the sport towards the San Antonio Spurs on January 22, 2024 on the Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE through Getty Pictures))
“I feel the simple reply is that while you’ve obtained one thing that’s inconsistent, in some unspecified time in the future, you’ve obtained to do one thing about it,” Embiid mentioned. “We don’t know what it’s. We’re wanting into each possibility.”
He performed simply 39 video games final season resulting from 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 match 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 practically $266 million in profession earnings.Â
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 Japanese Convention standings.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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