Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

“Embiid making 64 million just to do nothing”- Fans react as Joel Embiid sidelined for three games with knee swelling

Joel Embiid has missed 26 games this season and averages at 24.4 this season.

Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Philadelphia 76ers fans couldn’t control their frustration as Joel Embiid was once again sidelined with swelling in his knee. He was already ruled out for the last six games with a sprained left foot.

The 76ers released a statement on Friday, and revealed that while Embiid had recovered from the foot injury, he experienced swelling during a workout. “Joel Embiid participated in an on-court workout yesterday after missing the last six games due to a left foot sprain,” the team statement read.

The Cameroon-born had been playing with a protective mask after he suffered a sinus fracture, which led him to miss one game. He missed several games this season because of multiple reasons, including trouble in his knee and physical altercation with a journalist, and has been able to play in only 13 games.

Embiid was out during the New Year’s Day 113-107 loss against the Kings, and played on January 2 and January 4 against the Warriors and the Nets. However, he hasn’t been able to feature in the lineup since and the Tuesday game against the Knicks marked his sixth consecutive absence.

The star-center will miss 76ers’ Saturday game against Indiana, Sunday’s game against Milwaukee and Tuesday’s Denver game. After missing 26 games this season, he is averaging at 24.4 with 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

The Philadelphia 76ers are 15-24 this season, and in the 11th position in the Eastern Conference standings.

Fans react after Joel Embiid gets sidelined with knee swelling

Social media were quick to react to Emiid’s injury extension, while fans expressed their disappointment over Embiid missing out another game. Here is how users reacted on X.

Joel Embiid’s knees after being forced to play 13 out of 39 games pic.twitter.com/LHl6oGQULJ https://t.co/y2eXj6jTXB
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) January 17, 2025

NBA History will forget about Joel Embiid
— Quan Wick (@TheFinalQuan) January 17, 2025

KUMINGA IS GONNA DIVE ON YOUR KNEES DONT DO IT JOEL https://t.co/kvI1uzxNta pic.twitter.com/WV8ydLyq2G
— ℂ👽🗣️ (@SirEmbiid) January 17, 2025

Joel Embiid every gameday: pic.twitter.com/fNmcyAG6g8
— SDQL Trends Mx 🇲🇽 (🏀🏈⚾🏒) (@SDQLTrendsMx) January 15, 2025

Joel Embiid making 64 million a year just to sit on the 76ers bench and lose to the Celtics in the playoffs every year: https://t.co/6wXkMAByr1 pic.twitter.com/Yh2DWoPVmK
— Celtics Lead 🏆 (@CelticsLead) January 17, 2025

The 76ers have been marred by injuries this season as the All-Star trio of Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey have played only 10 games together this season.

Also Read:

Joel Embiid’s injury timeline since 2023

While his injury was considered “day-to-day”, Embiid is expected to be back after two weeks. The 30-year-old was out Embiid’s foot injury was being considered “day-to-day”, but his absence is nearing two weeks.

Here is the timeline of Joel Embiid’s injury since 2023:

2023-24: In the 2023-24 season, Joel Embiid was out for most of the season and could only play 39 games. The star center-forward underwent a knee surgery, and later revealed that he was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Embiid averaged at 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists during the season.

2024-25: After missing a few games due to suspension, Embiid’s injury management of a left knee ailment kept him out for several games. He has played 13 games so far and averages at 24.4 points with 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.