Philadelphia 76ers are facing a challenging period as their former MVP center, Joel Embiid, was benched on Saturday. Embiid is now exploring alternative options to address his persistent knee injury, including the possibility of undergoing surgery.
During the recent game, Embiid missed the entire final quarter of the Sixers’ 105-103 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, decided by a buzzer-beater put-back from center Nic Claxton. Following this setback, Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse commented on Embiid's current form, stating he is “not himself.”
“He’s not certainly the guy we’re used to seeing play at a super high level. But I commend him for giving us what he can,” Nurse added. On Sunday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Sixers and Embiid are consulting with doctors and considering alternative treatment options for his injured knee.
Charania further noted that both parties “hoped for progress” in Embiid’s recovery, but current treatments, including injections, have not been effective. Surgery remains a potential option.
Explaining the benching, Nurse said, “That group was just playing so well together and had a good feel for the game at that point and just wanted to let them roll with it.” The Philadelphia 76ers trailed by double digits at halftime against the Nets and were down by 17 points before managing to tie the game with seconds to go. However, the close loss marked the Sixers’ seventh consecutive defeat.
Embiid, who concluded the game with only 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, struggled with his shooting, going 4-for-13 from the field and missing all six of his 3-point attempts.
Recently, Embiid has acknowledged not being in his best form. Following the Sixers’ 124-104 home loss to the Boston Celtics last Thursday, which was their first game post-All-Star break, Embiid reflected on his performance: “The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now. I probably need to fix the problem, and then I’ll be back at that level.”
The defeat to the Nets dropped the Philadelphia 76ers to a 20-36 record for the season, placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference. Currently, they are 1.5 games away from the play-in tournament and a game behind the Nets, who defeated them over the weekend.
