Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers will miss the remainder of the N.B.A. regular season as he continues to contend with persistent issues with his left knee, the team said on Friday.
The 2023 NBA MVP has dealt with knee pain and swelling all season long, and he has been limited to only 19 games. Though he’d tried to play through the discomfort, Embiid said last week that it had limited him from playing his best.
“The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been working with some of the best specialists in the field to address persistent issues affecting his left knee,” the team said. “After further evaluation, it has been determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the rest of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation.”
Embiid, 30, has had recurring issues with his knee. He tore his meniscus last season and had surgery in February 2024, returning in April for the playoffs and then winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in Paris. But he admitted that he had not been given enough time to properly rehabilitate.
“The way I played a year ago is nowhere near the way I’m playing right now,” Embiid said earlier this month. “It sucks. I probably have to sort the situation out, and then I’ll be back to that level.”
This season, he averaged 23.8 points and 8.2 rebounds but struggled with several injuries, including a sprained foot and sinus fracture. The knee problems remained (despite treatments, including injections).
76ers head coach Nick Nurse lauded Embiid’s effort: “He’s giving us what he can. He’s not the guy accustomed to playing at a super-high level, but I commend him for trying.’
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