The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Friday afternoon that Joel Embiid's season is officially over. The team has yet to finalize a treatment plan for his left knee, but medical evaluation has confirmed that he is unable to play for the remainder of the season. The Sixers released a statement emphasizing the ongoing consultation with top specialists regarding Embiid's knee issues.
The full statement reads: "The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding ongoing issues with his left knee. After further evaluation, it has been determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the remainder of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation. We are working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan and will update the media when we have more information. The team and specialists will continue working with Joel to ensure the best path forward for his long-term health and performance."
This season began on a promising note for Embiid, who signed a three-year contract extension worth a projected $193 million, effectively tying him to the Sixers for five additional years. He expressed his intention to remain with the franchise for his entire career. However, the optimism quickly faded as injuries plagued his performance, culminating in recent reports that Embiid and the team were exploring alternative treatment options for his left knee.
Initially, Embiid did not participate in scrimmages during training camp, as the team aimed to manage his knee proactively. This knee had previously undergone meniscus surgery in February, which raised concerns about his long-term health. The caution taken by the Sixers did not alleviate worries as Embiid was ruled out for the first three games of the regular season, leading to alarm bells ringing despite the team's reassurances.
As the season progressed, Embiid missed the first six games due to ongoing left knee injury management. He also faced a suspension after an altercation with a reporter, further complicating his season. When he did return, his performance was subpar, averaging only 14.7 points and shooting a mere 32.4 percent from the field. However, he managed to break out in one game, scoring 35 points, but his struggles continued as knee swelling sidelined him again for six games.
Upon his return, Embiid showed signs of improvement but did not reach his previous MVP-caliber performance. From December 8 to January 4, Embiid participated in nine of the team’s twelve games, averaging 26.4 points with impressive efficiency. However, complications arose when he suffered a left foot sprain on December 25, which subsequently caused him to miss six consecutive games due to complications, despite playing shortly after the injury.
Following the foot sprain, Embiid's left knee swelling returned, leading to nine more absences for the team. He made a promising return on February 4, delivering a stellar performance with a 29-point triple-double against the Dallas Mavericks, lifting spirits within the team. However, concerns about his mobility resurfaced, especially after disappointing performances against the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, where he scored only 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Reports indicate that after a poor outing against the Nets, Embiid experienced additional knee swelling, prompting speculation about the team considering a more aggressive treatment plan that could sideline him for the remainder of the season. With Embiid set to earn approximately $250 million over the next four seasons, his long-term viability remains paramount for the Sixers.
Just 14 months ago, Embiid was at the peak of his performance, averaging an impressive 36.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. His dominance on both ends of the court made him a favorite for a second consecutive MVP trophy. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically since then, raising questions about his future with the team and the potential impact of his absence on the Sixers’ playoff aspirations.
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