PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has undergone successful surgery on his left knee, the team announced Tuesday. The surgery was performed to address a displaced flap of the meniscus, and Embiid is expected to be sidelined for an extended period. While he will be re-evaluated in four weeks, sources indicate that he could be out for up to two months depending on his rehabilitation progress.
Embiid first began experiencing soreness and swelling in his left knee in early January, which caused him to miss three games that month. The injury has been an ongoing issue for the reigning league MVP, as he has been managing knee soreness throughout the season. The 27-year-old center injured his knee in a game against the Golden State Warriors last week when he was accidentally fallen upon by Jonathan Kuminga.
This setback is a significant blow to both Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. Embiid has been having a historic season, leading the league in scoring with an average of 35.3 points per game. He also contributes 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. Prior to his injury, he had scored 30 points or more in 22 consecutive games, which is the fifth-longest streak in NBA history.
Unfortunately, Embiid’s absence will likely hinder his chances of winning a second consecutive MVP title and other awards. It is disappointing to see his stellar season cut short by another injury setback. Additionally, the 76ers were relying on Embiid’s dominant performance to maintain their position as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Without him, their record has been declining, and they face uncertainty heading into the trade deadline.
As the 76ers’ president Daryl Morey ponders potential moves before the trade deadline, he must consider how to strengthen the team for the remainder of the season. With cap space available in the upcoming summer, there is a possibility for leveraging contracts to improve the roster. Additionally, the team acquired extra draft assets in a previous deal, which could be used to support the current squad once Embiid returns.
The injury has created numerous questions and challenges for the 76ers’ organization that they did not face just a week ago. How they navigate these hurdles could have significant ramifications for their postseason aspirations.