Joel Embiid’s Injury Woes Continue to Plague the 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have been grappling with the absence of their star center, Joel Embiid, since January 6, when he went out during a game against the Phoenix Suns due to a sprained foot. While Embiid had been playing through multiple injuries before that, including a sinus fracture and the foot sprain, his foot injury worsened, forcing him to miss several games. The Sixers initially hoped he could return during their three-game road trip, but further setbacks during a private workout delayed his return.

Despite being cleared from the foot injury, Embiid began experiencing swelling in his knee again, an issue that’s been lingering since last season, when he underwent surgery for a knee injury. The team updated his status to out indefinitely, removing the day-to-day label, as they continue to monitor the knee’s condition. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shed light on the situation, clarifying that while Embiid hasn’t suffered a new injury, the swelling and discomfort in his knee are preventing him from playing at his usual level. His knee, Windhorst stated, “is just broken right now,” alluding to the chronic nature of his knee issues.

After undergoing knee surgery midway through last season, Embiid has struggled to fully recover, and the recurring pain and swelling have raised doubts about his ability to stay healthy for the long term. ESPN’s Tim McMahon voiced concerns that Embiid’s knee issues might become a chronic problem throughout his career, referencing his limited games last year (39) and the difficulty of playing at a high level with ongoing knee troubles.

So far this season, Embiid has appeared in just 13 of 42 games, contributing to the 76ers’ current struggles. They are riding a seven-game losing streak and are on the outside of the Play-In Tournament picture, with their playoff hopes at risk. As they prepare for a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Embiid is set for another evaluation to determine if he can return to action. If he’s unable to play, it will mark his 10th consecutive missed game, further testing the team’s depth and resilience without their star player.

The 76ers signed Embiid to a max extension over the summer after consulting specialists, believing he could still perform at an elite level. However, the persistent injury concerns and missed games have cast doubt on whether they made the right call, and the franchise’s future is increasingly uncertain with Embiid’s health as a major question mark.