Image Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

What happened to Joel Embiid? Why is Joel Embiid ruled out for the rest of the NBA season?

Embiid has been limited to only 19 games in the 2024-25 regular season.

Image Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Friday that Joel Embiid will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season. The 2023 NBA MVP will focus on rehabilitating a knee injury that has significantly impacted his performance.

The Sixers stated that Embiid would start the recovery process and work with the medical team to evaluate the injury further. The team will work with medical experts to determine the treatment plan for the star center.

Philadelphia's Joel Embiid has been ruled out for the season. pic.twitter.com/5AHSkwHtPr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2025

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“The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding ongoing issues with his left knee. After further evaluation, it has been determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the remainder of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation,” the franchise issued a statement.

“We are working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan and will update media when we have more information. The team and specialists will continue working with Joel to ensure the best path forward for his long-term health and performance.”

Why is Joel Embiid ruled out for the rest of the NBA season?

Embiid was sidelined for the first six games of the regular season due to “left knee injury management”, and later, he missed three more games due to a suspension handed down after the All-Star had an altercation with a reporter. He played three of the next four games, and the 76ers hoped for a cracking season. However, Embiid missed the next six games due to increased swelling in his knee.

The former NBA MVP returned in December and sustained a left foot sprain on Dec. 25, which kept him out for six straight games. Nine more absences followed, and Embiid made another return on Feb. 4. He scored a triple-double, including the go-ahead basket in the win against the Dallas Mavericks.

The play in which Joel Embiid seemed to suffer his left foot sprain on Dec. 25: pic.twitter.com/pL7PBQdVPQ
— Adam Aaronson's clips (@SixersAdamClips) January 16, 2025

Joel Embiid’s knee injury hurt him again after the All-Star break. The 30-year-old had a terrible shooting against the Celtics and the Nets. The star center suffered more swelling in the Brooklyn game and was benched for the fourth quarter. Shams Charania reported that Joel Embiid has played through regular and frequent injections in his left knee.

Philadelphia Inquirer indicated that the two-time NBA scoring champion might undergo low-dose radiation therapy for his left knee concerns. Embiid’s future status was questionable due to the ongoing struggles with his injuries. ESPN later reported that Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly considering alternative options for his knee injury.

Joel Embiid’s 2024-25 season has been a big failure for the 76ers, who acquired him on a three-year, $193 million supermax contract extension. The 2023 MVP declared he hoped to be a Sixer for life, but things might change in the offseason. It’s a make or break offseason for both Embiid and the 76ers.

Embiid has been limited to only 19 games in the 2024-25 regular season. The 30-year-old center averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks. The same player averaged 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in 2023-24.

Philadelphia posted a record of 20-36 in the West, the sixth-worst record in the regular season. The Sixers are on a nine-game losing streak, which is the longest one since the 2015-16 season. Their three key players, Joel Embiid, Jared McCain and Eric Gordon, are out for the remainder of the season with injuries.

Image Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Joel Embiid

NBA 2024-25

Philadelphia 76ers

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

wnba

A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.