Joel Embiid Set for Knee Surgery, Anticipated Absence for Extended Period

Reigning NBA MVP and Philadelphia 76ers All-Star, Joel Embiid, will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The team confirmed the pending procedure in a statement on Sunday evening. The surgery is expected to keep Embiid out of action for an extended period of time, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

This news comes as a disappointment for Embiid, the 76ers, and the NBA as a whole. Embiid had been a top contender, along with Nikola Jokić, for a consecutive MVP win. However, his chances have been significantly impacted by the NBA's new rules this season, which require players to participate in a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for major individual awards.

With Embiid already having missed 14 games, he can only afford to miss three more before becoming ineligible for the MVP award.

Will Embiid play again this season?

The immediate question now revolves around whether Joel Embiid will be able to play again this season. According to Wojnarowski, there is still a possibility for a return, but a definitive timeline will only be determined after the procedure.

Before the injury news, Embiid was enjoying a sensational season, averaging a career-high and league-leading 35.3 points, along with 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. He was shooting 53.3% from the field and 36.6% from beyond the arc. His outstanding performance earned him a spot as a starter in the upcoming All-Star game scheduled for February 18. However, with his anticipated absence, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will need to select a replacement for Embiid.

Embiid had soreness, then a collision on injured knee

Joel Embiid was sidelined for games against the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers last week due to knee soreness. He made a return to the court on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors but had to leave the game after Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga fell on his knee.

Joel Embiid went to the locker room after getting tied up with Jonathan Kuminga pic.twitter.com/bkOREMkd7F

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 31, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Thursday that Embiid had sustained a meniscus injury. As a result, he has been unable to play in games against the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets.

According to a source from the 76ers, as reported by The Athletic on Saturday, Embiid has been dealing with knee soreness for a significant portion of the season.

Entering Sunday, the 76ers held a 30-18 record, placing them in fifth position in the Eastern Conference. They are currently 6.5 games behind the first-place Boston Celtics.