This season has been forgettable for the Philadelphia 76ers, as they currently sit at 20-36, holding the 12-seed in the Eastern Conference with just 16 games left to play. This marks a significant drop for a team that has consistently finished over .500 since the 2017-18 season, achieving 50 or more wins in four of those years. The Sixers could potentially catch the 10-seed Chicago Bulls and sneak into the Play-In Tournament, but they face considerable obstacles.
Among the many challenges, the most pressing issue has been keeping 2023 NBA MVP center Joel Embiid healthy and on the court, as he has only played in 19 games this season, following a mere 39 appearances last year due to injury. Since undergoing surgery last February to repair a meniscus tear, Embiid has continued to struggle with knee pain, and attempts to aid his recovery have not yielded positive results.
According to a report by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 76ers and Embiid are now ‘exploring alternative options’ to address his knee problems. Charania also mentioned that Embiid will undergo testing this week and consult with specialists to decide on the next steps.
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
Following Saturday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the 76ers are now 16 games under .500. The prospect of surgery for Embiid seems increasingly likely. He returned to the lineup on February 4 after a month off due to the knee issue, but in February, the team has struggled with a 1-5 record. Embiid’s performance has dipped, with averages of 22.5 points per game on just 42% shooting, significantly below his career averages. His season total of 23.8 points per game also falls short of his career tally of 27.7 points per game.
Social media has been abuzz with reactions to Embiid’s ongoing injury concerns:
This guy was in the midst of one of the greatest individual seasons ever just 13 months ago. This whole thing is just incredibly sad https://t.co/FL0q6Df1jZ
— Mike O’Connor (@MOConnor_NBA) February 24, 2025
I feel awful for Embiid. Lingering knee issues your entire career, multiple surgeries, and numerous other injuries. Continuously putting his body on the line and being told he let his deceased brother down. BITW just a year ago. They will never make me hate you. American Hero💙🥇 https://t.co/4DbcDLJeBH
— dj (@embiiddefender) February 24, 2025
Hope this is just code for tanking, getting that pick legit determines the outlook this franchise for the next 10 years https://t.co/iAr1M5OJA6
— D (@SmittyReborn) February 23, 2025
I hope for Embiid’s sake that exhausting all options provides one that is a fix-all, but when you’re a year removed from the previous surgery and merely “considering alternative options” rather than taking an actionable step, that tells the story https://t.co/NITuPDJwxR
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 23, 2025
