Joel Embiid facing tough choice as injuries concerns mount

The Philadelphia 76ers have a decision to make as Joel Embiid’s on-court struggles continue.

The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player signed a $193 million contract extension last September but has failed to perform this season as he continues to struggle with a left knee injury. The injury dates back to a knock he received in January 2024 and subsequently got surgery on early that year.

Twelve months on, Embiid has lost much of the physicality that made him one of the league’s top players and he has even slipped from the 76ers' team in recent games. He was benched for the final quarter of Saturday’s defeat to the Brooklyn Nets and admitted that he’s below his previous level.

“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now,” Embiid said after Thursday’s loss to the Celtics. “I probably need to fix the problem, and then I’ll be back at that level.”

What next for Joel Embiid?

Although he underwent surgery soon after tearing the meniscus in his left knee, Embiid was back on the court by April 2024 and went on to win gold with the US Olympic team last summer. He has since admitted that he may have rushed back from the surgery and he appears to be feeling the effects of that decision.

ESPN reports that the 76ers are consulting doctors to plot a return to full fitness for Embiid. This could include further surgery on the knee or simply a prolonged rest period on the sidelines. Philadelphia have stumbled to a 20-36 record this season and look unlikely to reach the playoffs.

Ruling Embiid out for the remainder of the season would be a blow but it could have benefits for all involved. It would allow the player some much-needed recovery time and could make life easier for head coach Nick Nurse, who is managing a high-earning former MVP who is badly out of form.

“He’s not himself, we all know that,” the 76ers head coach admitted. “He’s not certainly the guy we’re used to seeing play at a super high level. But I commend him for giving us what he can.”

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