Joel Embiid's Knee Injury: Exploring Options and Impact on 76ers' Season

Image credits: Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid are consulting doctors and considering alternative options, such as surgery, for his injured left knee, sources told ESPN. Both sides have hoped for progress in Embiid's condition, but his determination to play and current treatments, including regular injections, have not led to any improvement. Embiid is scheduled to undergo tests on his knee early this week, at which point both parties will collaborate with specialists on the best route forward.

Embiid has publicly and privately said in recent weeks that he might need surgery or an extended rest period for his knee to heal, but he has been determined to find ways to play and be available for the 76ers. He played just 39 games last season after tearing the meniscus in his knee, underwent surgery in early February, came back in early April, was part of the 76ers' playoff run, and then won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team over the summer. However, he acknowledged earlier this month that he didn't have enough time to recover after surgery, and this season, the lingering knee issues, combined with a foot sprain, have caused him to play in just 19 of 56 games.

Embiid is questionable to play Monday against the Chicago Bulls, after experiencing swelling in his knee after Saturday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets, sources said. He was slow to get up late in the third quarter against the Nets when he lost the ball and hit the court, then was benched late, sitting out the fourth after scoring just 14 points in 31 minutes and missing all six of his 3-point attempts. The 76ers, who opened with championship hopes, have lost seven straight games and fallen to 20-36 amid an injury-marred, disappointing season. Even when Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey all play, Philadelphia is just 7-8.

The 76ers' first-round pick in this draft is top-six protected, otherwise it goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team is still hopeful that they can avoid additional surgery on Embiid's knee, per multiple team sources and sources familiar with the situation. Embiid's surgery on his left meniscus in February 2024 did not result in all of the meniscus cartilage being removed, and the hope over the past several months has been to try to find ways to reduce Embiid's symptoms, because there had been no indication or belief that additional surgery would "fix" Embiid's knee. However, Embiid is still having pain in the knee, and multiple treatment plans have not brought the level of relief he and the team were hoping would come. Some of the procedures being considered, such as meniscus replacement, low-dose radiation therapy, or osteotomy, require six months to a year before an athlete can return to full action and may come with long-term limitations.

Given the situation, some experts believe that the 76ers should shut down Embiid for the remainder of the season to allow him to recover and potentially undergo surgery. The team's current standings and the potential for a high draft pick make it a viable option. However, the 76ers are still holding out hope that Embiid can return to form and lead the team to a playoff spot. The next step will be crucial in determining the course of Embiid's career and the 76ers' season, as they weigh the options and consider the potential risks and benefits of each.