The Philadelphia 76ers mentioned Friday that famous person middle Joel Embiid will miss the rest of the common season as he and the crew proceed to search for a long-term answer for a lingering left knee harm.
Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid Underwent A New Spherical Of Imaging On Monday, Has Been Consulting High Specialists
Embiid had elevated swelling within the knee following a loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday evening. The 7-footer additionally underwent a brand new spherical of imaging on Monday to find out why his knee has not responded properly to the remedy protocols he has acquired this season.
That is the Sixers’ official assertion:
“The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with prime specialists concerning ongoing points along 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 deal with remedy and rehabilitation.
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— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 28, 2025
“We’re working with medical specialists to find out the precise remedy plan and can replace media when we have now extra info. The crew and specialists will proceed working with Joel to make sure the very best path ahead for his long-term well being and efficiency.”
The 76ers and Embiid consulted with dozens of docs and specialists to find out the very best path ahead for the seven-time All-Star. All through the course of the season, Embiid has tried to play by way of ache in his knee, hoping it will enhance with higher conditioning.
Embiid’s Left Knee Ache And Swelling Have Elevated
Nonetheless, Joel Embiid additionally acquired a number of injections all through the season, in efforts to cut back the swelling and discomfort sufficient to permit him to play and be accessible for the Sixers. As an alternative of enhancing as he performed extra, the ache and swelling have solely elevated.
Embiid performed simply 39 video games final season after tearing the meniscus in his knee. His left knee has been an issue since January of 2024, when he sustained a lateral meniscus harm.
The previous first-rounder underwent surgical procedure in early February, got here again in early April, was a part of Philadelphia’s playoff run, after which received a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic crew over the summer time.
He acknowledged earlier this month that he didn’t have sufficient time to get better after surgical procedure. That was evident on the courtroom. Philadelphia went simply 7-8 this season when Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey all performed collectively.
76ers Have Had $164.21 Million Value Of Participant Salaries Sidelined All through Most Of The 2024-25 Season
Extra importantly, the Philadelphia 76ers have had $164.21 million value of participant salaries sidelined all through a lot of the season — that’s roughly 88.58% of the group’s payroll, based on HoopsHype.
In September, Joel Embiid signed a three-year, $192.9 million contract extension that ensures the previous MVP a complete of $299.5 million by way of the 2028-29 season.
Embiid additionally declined his $59 million participant possibility for the 2026-27 season previous to inking the brand new contract extension. He’ll earn $69 million within the ultimate yr of the brand new deal, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
Regardless of not enjoying back-to-backs, Embiid was nonetheless by no means wholesome for any sustained time period this marketing campaign. He performed in solely 19 video games, which means he has missed 39 of Philadelphia’s 58 video games.
In Saturday’s loss, Embiid was sluggish to rise up late within the third quarter when he misplaced the ball and fell to the courtroom. The Kansas product was then benched within the fourth after he scored simply 14 factors in 31 minutes and missed all six of his 3-point makes an attempt.
Joel Embiid Scored 15 Or Fewer Factors In Consecutive Video games For The First Time Since Could 2021
In Embiid’s ultimate two video games this season, the pressure of the knee harm was noticeable as Embiid scored 15 or fewer factors in back-to-back contests for the primary time since Could 2021.
The Sixers’ 2024-25 season appeared doomed from the beginning. It started with a league investigation into the participant participation coverage, which later resulted in a $100,000 effective for the group’s public feedback from president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and coach Nick Nurse that didn’t precisely replicate Embiid’s well being points along with his knee.
As well as, the NBA then issued a three-game suspension to Embiid in early November for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes within the locker room after a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 76ers (20-38) have misplaced 9 straight video games and 11 of their previous 12 contests. However this may very well be excellent news for the Sixers, since they broke a tie with the Brooklyn Nets and have sole possession of the sixth-worst document within the NBA.
Philadelphia’s 2025 first-round decide is top-six protected, however it goes to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder if it lands exterior the highest six.
If the 76ers end sixth within the lottery standings, they might have roughly a forty five.8% likelihood of hanging onto their first-rounder. These odds would improve to about 64% in the event that they drop to the fifth-worst document.
