Injuries have unfortunately become a defining aspect of Joel Embiid`s career. The Philadelphia 76ers` star center and 2023 NBA MVP is scheduled for another surgery next week to address his injured left knee. This procedure aims to repair the issue that limited him to just 19 games in the 2024-25 season.
The 76ers announced on Wednesday that Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery after consultations with medical professionals. Reports indicate he will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks following the operation.
This will be the second surgery on the same knee for Embiid in just over a year. He previously had surgery in 2024 to repair a torn meniscus, an injury that restricted him to only 34 games played that season.
The team and Embiid are hoping this surgery will alleviate the pain and swelling that troubled him throughout the 2024-25 season. The Sixers struggled significantly this season, posting a 23-53 record with only a couple of weeks remaining, as they effectively entered a rebuilding phase during a disappointing year. Their struggles were highlighted by a league-record 52nd different starting lineup on Tuesday, demonstrating the impact of injuries, especially to their key player.
Looking ahead, a major question is whether Embiid can consistently stay healthy enough to realize his immense potential. He had an exceptional 2022-23 season and was performing at an even higher level at the start of the 2023-24 season before his meniscus tear. However, in the recent season, even when he was able to play, Embiid`s performance was diminished. He averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game with a career-low 48.2% effective field goal percentage.
The expectation is that this surgery will help him regain the explosiveness and athleticism that made him one of the NBA`s elite players. However, Sixers fans are understandably concerned about whether they will ever see that peak version of Embiid again.
Jasper Hawthorne