Joel Embiid To Miss Remainder Of Season Due To Knee Injury

Joel Embiid's challenging 2024-25 season has concluded, as the Philadelphia 76ers announced on Friday that he will be sidelined to rehabilitate a recurring left knee injury. The 2022-23 NBA MVP has participated in only 19 games this season due to various health issues. His left knee has been problematic for the 30-year-old over the past year, following surgery for a torn meniscus in February 2024.

Embiid's absence has significantly affected the 76ers, who were anticipated to compete for the Eastern Conference title after acquiring Paul George, a nine-time All-Star, during the offseason. Currently, Philadelphia is enduring a nine-game losing streak and ranks 12th in the East with a record of 20-38. The team struggles without Embiid, holding a 12-27 record when he is not playing.

The seven-time All-Star returned in April and played in Philadelphia's first-round playoff series loss to the New York Knicks last season but managed only four appearances in the current campaign due to ongoing knee issues. Earlier this month, Embiid mentioned that another surgery might be necessary. However, the team stated they are still determining an exact treatment plan.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding his persistent left knee problems. After further evaluation, it was determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the rest of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation. "We are working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan and will update media when we have more information," said the team.

This marks an end to a turbulent season for Embiid, who last played on February 22 before missing two subsequent games while undergoing further testing. In November, he was suspended for three games after shoving a reporter post-game and also missed time due to a broken nose and sprained left foot.

Embiid's Career Challenges

Injuries have frequently plagued Embiid throughout his professional career. Drafted third overall in 2014, he missed his first two NBA seasons recovering from a fractured right foot and lost significant time last season due to his left knee troubles. Despite these setbacks, Embiid achieved back-to-back NBA scoring titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Embiid concludes this season with averages of 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game—figures lower than previous years. Last season, despite playing only 39 games, he averaged a career-best of 34.7 points per game.

The team and specialists will continue collaborating with Joel Embiid to ensure his long-term health and performance are prioritised effectively moving forward.