Joel Embiid's Knee Injury Woes: Should the 76ers Shut Him Down for the Season?

Image credits: Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

The Philadelphia 76ers are facing a difficult decision regarding the future of their star center, Joel Embiid. His left knee injury has been a persistent issue, and the team is considering shutting him down for the season to allow him to recover and potentially undergo surgery. Embiid has been playing through pain, but his performance has suffered as a result, and the team's chances of making a deep playoff run are slim.

Embiid's knee injury has been a problem for several months, and despite various treatment plans, he has not shown significant improvement. The 76ers have been hopeful that he could play through the pain and still be effective, but it has become clear that this is not a viable option. The team's coach, Nick Nurse, has said that Embiid is not himself and that the team is not getting the production they need from him. Embiid has been averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, but his shooting percentages are at career lows, and he is not able to move as freely as he once did.

The 76ers are in a difficult spot, as they are still trying to make a push for the playoffs, but they also need to consider Embiid's long-term health. If they shut him down for the season, they will be giving up on their chances of making a deep playoff run, but they will also be ensuring that Embiid is healthy and ready to go for next season. The team has a lot invested in Embiid, having signed him to a long-term contract extension worth $248.1 million, and they need to make sure that he is able to perform at a high level for years to come.

Some of the options being considered for Embiid's knee injury include meniscus replacement, low-dose radiation therapy, and osteotomy, a procedure that involves breaking a bone in the hip to realign the joint and alleviate pressure. These procedures are considered radical and would require Embiid to miss significant time, potentially up to a year. The 76ers are hoping to avoid these options and instead find a way to manage Embiid's pain and allow him to continue playing.

The 76ers' situation is further complicated by their draft pick situation. They owe the Oklahoma City Thunder a first-round pick, but it is top-six protected, meaning that if the 76ers finish with one of the six worst records in the league, they will keep their pick. If they shut down Embiid and tank the rest of the season, they may be able to keep their pick and potentially land a high-quality player in the draft. However, this would require them to give up on their chances of making the playoffs, which may not be a popular decision among fans.

Here are some key statistics and facts about Embiid's injury and the 76ers' situation:

• Embiid has played in 19 of 57 games this season, averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
• The 76ers have lost seven straight games, with Embiid playing in five of them.
• Embiid's shooting percentages are at career lows, with a field goal percentage of 44.4% and a three-point percentage of 29.9%.
• The 76ers are 20-36 and are currently outside of the playoff picture.
• The team's first-round pick is owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it is top-six protected.

The 76ers have a difficult decision to make regarding Embiid's future, and it will be interesting to see how they choose to proceed. Will they shut him down for the season and focus on getting him healthy for next year, or will they try to find a way to manage his pain and keep him on the court? Only time will tell.

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