The Philadelphia 76ers have announced that their star player, Joel Embiid, currently holding the title of league MVP, will undergo a procedure in the coming days to address a left meniscus injury. While the exact timeline for his recovery remains uncertain, sources suggest that Embiid is likely to miss a significant portion of the season, casting a shadow over his remarkable performance so far.
Embiid, who leads the NBA in scoring with an impressive 35.3 points per game, was on course to achieve a rare feat – becoming only the second player, alongside Wilt Chamberlain, to average at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a season. His unique statistic of averaging at least one point per minute played further highlighted his dominance on the court.
This setback adds to Embiid’s history of knee injuries, posing challenges for both the player and the 76ers. Having previously missed games due to meniscus problems, the star center faces another hurdle in his ongoing career.
During a recent game against the Golden State Warriors, Embiid’s remarkable 22-game streak of scoring 30 points or more came to an end. The meniscus injury occurred in the fourth quarter when Warriors’ forward Jonathan Kuminga fell on Embiid’s knee.
The absence of Embiid significantly impacts the 76ers’ performance, with the team struggling and losing 10 out of 14 games in his non-participation this season. Currently holding a record of 30-18, the Sixers rank fifth in the Eastern Conference. Their success drastically improves when Embiid is on the court, boasting a 26-8 record with him in the lineup.
Unfortunately, due to the severity of the injury and the expected extended absence, Embiid will fall short of the league’s 65-game minimum to qualify for postseason awards, having played only 34 games this season.
