This season has been one to forget for the Philadelphia 76ers, who currently sit at the 12-seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-36 and just 16 games remaining. Their situation is a stark contrast to previous seasons, having finished over .500 since 2017-18 and securing 50 or more wins in four of those seasons. Despite the possibility of catching the 10-seed Chicago Bulls to enter the Play-In Tournament, the team’s performance has significantly declined.
One of the primary issues has been the health of 2023 NBA MVP center Joel Embiid, who has only played 19 games this season after enduring a challenging year in which he appeared in just 39 games. His ongoing struggle with knee pain, stemming from a meniscus tear that required surgery last February, has made it difficult for him to find relief, regardless of the rehabilitation efforts.
The 76ers and Joel Embiid are consulting doctors and considering alternative options on his injured knee, sources tell ESPN. Sides have hoped for progress in Embiid’s body, but his efforts to play and current treatments, including injections, have not provided any improvement. pic.twitter.com/GXeqxC7Nwj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2025
Recently, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the 76ers are exploring alternative options for Embiid’s knee and that he will undergo testing this week followed by consultations with specialists to determine the next steps. After a recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the team finds itself 16 games under .500, and surgery is now a possibility for the star center.
Embiid made his return on February 4 after a month-long absence due to the knee injury, but since then, the Sixers have struggled with a 1-5 record in February. He is averaging 22.5 points per game on just 42% shooting in that span, falling short of his career averages, which currently stands at 23.8 points per game for the season, compared to his career output of 27.7 points per game. Embiid’s contract extends through the 2028-29 season.
