PHILADELPHIA – Joel Embiid, the star player for the Philadelphia 76ers, is facing a tough decision after being diagnosed with a displaced flap of the meniscus in his left knee. The reigning NBA MVP is considering whether to undergo surgery or to rest and rehab the injury, according to two sources familiar with his prognosis.
The 76ers have not provided any comments regarding Embiid’s situation, but it has been disclosed that the injury was sustained in a game against the Golden State Warriors when Jonathan Kuminga fell on Embiid’s left knee. This is not the first time Embiid has experienced discomfort in his knee, as he previously missed three games in January due to soreness and swelling.
Embiid’s stellar performance this season, averaging 35.3 points per game and leading the league in scoring, has been overshadowed by his injury concerns. Moreover, his chances of repeating as MVP are slim due to the new league rule that disqualifies players from postseason awards if they do not play in at least 65 regular-season games. Last season, Embiid already played the fewest games for any MVP winner since Bill Walton.
Despite the setbacks, the 76ers have been successful this season, boasting a 30-17 record and emerging as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference under the leadership of head coach Nick Nurse and the impressive performances of their All-Stars, Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Embiid’s future course of action remains uncertain, and the 76ers, along with their fans, are eagerly awaiting a decision on how the situation will be managed to ensure his swift recovery and return to the court.