Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid suffered a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee during Tuesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors. The injury occurred when Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fell on Embiid’s leg while going after a loose ball in the fourth quarter. The Sixers announced the injury on Thursday, stating that Embiid will be out through the rest of the weekend while treatment options are explored.
This is not the first time Embiid has dealt with knee issues this season. He missed three games last month due to left knee soreness and sat out Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets and Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers for the same reason. Despite the discomfort, he returned to play against the Warriors on Tuesday night but appeared to struggle throughout the game.
The Sixers and Embiid have been evaluating the injury over the past couple of days and considering potential treatment options. According to sources, there is still uncertainty about how they will move forward with a treatment plan, and discussions will take place in the coming days.
Embiid’s absence will be a significant blow to the Sixers. As the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, he leads the league in scoring, averaging an impressive 35.3 points per game. He also contributes 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. Last week, he scored a remarkable 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs, and he currently has more points scored than minutes played this season, a feat achieved only by Wilt Chamberlain in the past.
The injury means that Embiid will miss Thursday night’s game against the Utah Jazz, marking his 13th missed game of the season. Under the league’s new player participation policy, a player can miss no more than 17 games to be eligible for major honors such as MVP and All-NBA. With his current injury, it is uncertain if Embiid will be able to meet the eligibility criteria.
Despite the setback, Embiid was named an All-Star starter last week. However, it is likely that NBA commissioner Adam Silver will have to replace him for the game in Indianapolis later this month.
The loss of Embiid will undoubtedly have an impact on the Sixers’ performance in the coming games. They will need to rely on their depth and other key players to step up in his absence. The team’s coaching staff will also have to devise new strategies and game plans to compensate for the absence of their star player.
As fans and analysts eagerly await updates on Embiid’s condition and treatment plan, the focus now shifts to how the Sixers will navigate this challenging period without their MVP-caliber player. The coming days will be crucial in determining the best course of action for Embiid’s recovery and the team’s success moving forward.
