Joel Embiid, the star center for the Philadelphia 76ers, will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season due to persistent issues with his left knee. The 76ers officially announced this decision Friday, confirming the player is now "medically unable to play" and will focus on rehabilitation and treatment.
Embiid’s injury saga has been long and troubling. Having already missed significant time this season, he was set to sit out his 40th game on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. His absence has been felt sharply; since he entered the league, he has struggled with injuries, and this season has been no different.
Since early January, Embiid's knee problems have hindered his performance. He was initially on track for another dominating year, averaging 33.0 points per game at one point, but his production has drastically declined. The 76ers noted he has averaged only 23.8 points per game this season — well below his career-high of 34.7 the previous year. A number of factors, including load management, injuries, and even suspensions, have plagued him this season.
This unprecedented decision to shut down Embiid for the rest of the season follows consultations with medical experts, who are still working to determine the best treatment plan for him. According to the team, they will continue to explore options for ensuring Embiid’s long-term health and performance. The 76ers stated, "The team and specialists will continue working with Joel to find the best path forward."
Embiid himself had expressed concern about his knee, acknowledging earlier this month the possibility of needing another surgery. He explained, "I think the straightforward answer is when you’ve got something that's inconsistent, at some point, you’ve got to do something about it. We don’t know what it is. We’re looking at every option." Previous surgeries on his knee include one last season due to meniscus tears, which he never fully recovered from.
Embiid's absence appears as yet another hurdle for the beleaguered Philadelphia team, who are currently riding a nine-game losing streak and sit 20-38 for the season. This has led to questions about their playoff contention — just 2.5 games out from the play-in tournament entering games on Friday. The franchise, once viewed as favorites to contend for the NBA title, is now left scrambling for coherence during such tumultuous times.
The decision to shut Embiid down also carries possible strategic motivations for the 76ers. They are facing the potential loss of their first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which would occur if they finish outside of the bottom six teams. This adds urgency to their situation; if the team flounders, they may maintain their top-six protected pick.
Historically, Embiid has been one of the most dynamic players on the court. Even throughout his injury struggles, his statistics have kept him firmly entrenched among basketball's elite. Before facing his knee difficulties, he was on pace to become one of the highest-scoring players ever, demonstrating his prowess on the court. Yet this season its exact opposite, where with him playing the team managed just eight wins through the current campaign.
With Embiid sidelined, there are speculations about how the rest of the team will adapt. Tyrese Maxey is expected to step up significantly; previous games without Embiid saw Maxey’s scoring average increase remarkably. Before the current season, Embiid’s absence resulted in Maxey shooting over 28 points per game, which he might replicate trying to lead the team through these struggles.
Despite being one of the premier talents, Embiid's career narrative has been shaped by injuries. From his early days when he suffered stress fractures before entering the league to the present, he has dealt with numerous health setbacks. By the end of this season, it is projected he could have missed nearly 50% of the games played by his team since he was drafted third overall. This unfortunate trend has cast shadows over his career aspirations.
The impact of Embiid’s injuries also resonates with his contracts. He had signed a significant extension worth $193 million last season, which guarantees him nearly $248.1 million over the next four years. The 76ers face difficulties moving forward due to this hefty contract, complicated by potential long-term health concerns.
The 76ers must now look to the draft with renewed urgency, hoping for positive outcomes, especially considering they are currently sixth-worst team and could benefit from improving lottery odds. The draft pick they secure could either bolster or determine the future impact of the franchise.
With Embiid's future uncertain as the team approaches offseason decisions, maintaining hope for healing and physical recovery will be key. For now, fans of the 76ers will be left to ponder the team’s future and how they might rebound from this widespread disappointment surrounding one of their brightest stars.
While the organization tries to navigate through this troubling time, they hold out hope for Embiid’s eventual return as they aim to strategize for the upcoming seasons. The quest for success remains challenging, but the resilience of the team and its supporters will be tested as they look to rise again.