The Philadelphia 76ers announced Wednesday that franchise star center Joel Embiid will have arthroscopic knee surgery next week. Embiid was shut down for the season in February after a 124-104 to the Boston Celtics. The 7-foot-2 center from Cameroon appeared in only 19 games this season. He has averaged 23.8 points with 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game. Embiid won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2023, becoming the second African-born player to do so.
Surgery Latest In Disastrous Season For Sixers
The news of Embiid’s surgery is just the latest in a season Sixers fans would like to forget. Big ticket free agent Paul George, who has also been shut down for the season, struggled mightily. When he did play, his numbers were far below what he averaged for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. Star Point Guard Tyrese Maxey has struggled shooting. The lone bright spot at the beginning of the season for the 76ers was Jared McCain, the rookie of the month in November. Soon after, he tore his left meniscus and was shut down for the rest of the season.
Will Joel Embiid Ever Be the Same?
Since winning the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2023, Embiid has only appeared in 58 regular season games for Philadelphia. He was shut down last season from February to April after a procedure on the same knee. He returned for a playoff series against the New York Knicks. They lost in 6 games. After playing in the Olympics this offseason, Embiid never looked comfortable this year. Can he ever be a dominant center again?
Final Thoughts
Embiid was playing on and off before being shut down in February. This season was a nightmare for 76ers fans. George looks cooked, and Embiid’s knee probably is as well. With the season almost over, the Sixers have been doing a good job getting their tank on again. The Oklahoma City Thunder own Philadelphia’s first-round pick, but it is top-6 protected. If the Sixers hold onto that pick, they will have a chance at a top 6 player in a deep NBA Draft. It would be a chance to pair another player with McCain and Maxey.
