Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has revealed that his troublesome left knee may require another surgery, following a season severely hindered by injury. In a recent conversation with ESPN’s Lisa Salters, Embiid shared his concerns about his knee, hinting at the need for further surgical intervention.
Joel Embiid's frustration with ongoing knee issues
During Sunday’s game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks, which saw the Bucks claim a 135-127 victory, Salters spoke with Embiid about his condition. When asked about his knee, Embiid hesitated before offering a candid response:
It is what it is.
The 76ers' center expressed the frustration he’s felt, noting that dealing with the same issue nearly a year after it first occurred has been one of the toughest challenges of his career.
The most difficult thing he's ever had to go through in his career,
Salters relayed, with Embiid acknowledging the toll his ongoing knee problems have taken on his body. Despite his desire to play in every game, Embiid admitted that his body, especially his knee, simply isn’t allowing him to perform at his best.
Knee surgery likely in the offseason for Joel Embiid
Embiid further revealed that his left knee, which has been the source of continuous swelling, will likely require another surgery and an extended recovery period.
This follows his previous surgery in February 2024 to repair a meniscus tear in the same knee. However, Embiid made it clear that he did not have a lengthy recovery after the initial surgery, and this time around, a more prolonged rehab phase is expected.
While no definitive timeline for the surgery was given, the expectation is that Embiid will undergo the procedure during the offseason to avoid further disruption to the current NBA season.
A challenging season for Joel Embiid and the 76ers
Embiid’s knee troubles have significantly impacted his playing time, with the 76ers’ star missing 43 games during the 2023-24 season. He returned to play in the final five games of the regular season, and even participated in the 2024 Summer Olympics with Team USA in Paris. However, Embiid's injuries have persisted into the current NBA season, causing him to miss the first nine games, with the 76ers citing left knee injury management.
Alongside Embiid’s absences, the 76ers have struggled with Paul George’s own injury woes. After joining the team from the Clippers in an offseason trade, George has played only 33 of Philadelphia's games, further contributing to the team’s disappointing 20-32 start to the season. Expectations were high that George, paired with Embiid and fellow All-Star Tyrese Maxey, would help elevate the 76ers into championship contention. Instead, the team currently sits in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, with questions about Embiid’s health casting doubt on their playoff hopes.
As Embiid continues to deal with his knee issues, uncertainty looms for the 76ers moving forward. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Embiid's health progresses throughout the remainder of the season and whether another surgery will be necessary to give him a shot at a full recovery.