After sitting out a team practice on Sunday, Sixers center Joel Embiid is now questionable to suit up for Monday’s tilt against the Bulls as he continues to battle a lingering knee injury, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
The seven-time All-Star has only played 19 games this season, averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.7 steals per night — all significant drops from his output a year ago.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Sixers and Embiid are consulting with doctors about alternative treatment options for the knee, which hasn’t responded as hope to the current treatment plan. As Charania notes, that plan has included regular injections. Sources tell ESPN that Embiid will undergo some additional testing early this week before a decision is made, but surgery is one of the options on the table.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently spoke at a presser about Embiid’s struggles to play through the injury, per Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (Twitter link).
“I would agree that he’s not moving nearly as well as we was,” Nurse said. “We were hoping maybe something conditioning, rhythm, that kind of stuff would get that going, but it doesn’t appear that way right now.”
There’s more out of Philadelphia:
- At this stage of their rapidly disintegrating season, it may behoove the Sixers to shut down Embiid for good, Tony Jones of The Athletic argues. As Jones writes, Embiid has lost his offensive burst off the impacted knee and his offensive game is limited, while his movement on defense has looked rough. At 20-36 and having lost seven straight games, the Sixers have slid to the No. 12 seed in the East Conference and are seeing their play-in tournament window closing anyway, even with Embiid available.
- The Sixers are still dealing with fallout from their 2020 trade that sent big man Al Horford to the Thunder, Pompey writes in another piece. Philadelphia included its 2025 first-rounder with top-six protection in that deal in order to move off Horford’s contract. With the 76ers seemingly lottery-bound but not at the very bottom of the NBA standings, it’s very possible that pick will land in the top 10 and convey to Oklahoma City.
- In case you missed it, Embiid himself has acknowledged that his knee isn’t right and has spoken about looking to improve it this offseason.
embiid, maxey, and PG
and the sixers are 20-36
sweet baby jesus
Joel Embiid and Philly did this to themselves. Embiid was injured when he entered the NBA out of Kansas. He was always an injury risk. Embiid became worth the wait and became a superstar. However, unlike many other great players, Embiid always put himself and his stats ahead of winning. Early in Michael Jordan’s career, he stopped doing all the dunking to preserve his body. He then proceeded to average 37 ppg and win 6 rings with his jump shot. Two years ago, Embiid put his body through the wringer chasing his MVP trophy. Last year, after an injury filled season, he opted to play in the Olympics instead of surgery and rest. Philly let Embiid chase his MVP and play in the Olympics. More Darryl Morey decisions.
No sympathy for Joel Embiid. Embiid is full of excuses because he looks extra silly again because his status in Philly has been completely minimized by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Give Karl-Anthony Towns some credit. He sacrificed his stats and role for the good of the team in Minnesota. They evolved into legitimate contenders until Luka ended them in the playoffs. The same monster offensive numbers that KAT is getting with the Knicks, are the same numbers he was getting in Minnesota before willingly changing his role to chase a ring, and not stats.
What a joke. U let him play in the Olympics. He shows up to training camp fat and out of shape. U claimed he would be fine and ready for a playoffs. Now the Sixers have to hope and pray the pick lands in the top 6 or else it goes to OKC(from Morey 1st trade as Sixers head of basketball operations). What a joke, please for the love of god FIRE MOREY
Ben Simmons having a better season than Embiid lol
Don’t see how they keep their pick. Next yr they are a year older. I’d be looking to move Embiid and George. Morey is not a basketball mind. He’s a counter. Amazing he still has a job in NBA.