Joel Embiid's frustrating 2024-25 season has officially come to an end, as the Philadelphia 76ers announced Friday the star center has been shut down to rehab a recurring left knee injury. (More Sports News)
Embiid, the 2022-23 NBA MVP, has been limited to just 19 games this season due to various health issues. Left knee troubles have plagued the 30-year-old for much of the past year, as he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in February 2024.
The seven-time All-Star did return in April and played in Philadelphia's first-round series loss to the New York Knicks in last season's playoffs, but took part in just four of the 76ers' 21 games of the 2024-25 campaign due to continued problems with his knee.
Embiid acknowledged earlier this month that another surgery was a possibility, though the 76ers said in a statement the team is still in the process of determining an exact treatment plan.
"The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding ongoing issues with his left knee," the team announced. "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. 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."
That will end a tumultuous season for Embiid, who last played Feb. 22 before missing Philadelphia's next two games while undergoing further testing. The seven-footer was suspended three games in November for shoving a reporter during a post-game exchange, and also missed time with a broken nose and a sprained left foot.
Embiid's absences have also had a major impact on the 76ers, a team expected to contend for the Eastern Conference title after acquiring nine-time All-Star Paul George in the offseason. Philadelphia is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak and sits 12th in the East with a 20-38 record.
The 76ers are 12-27 with Embiid out of the lineup.
Embiid finishes this season with per-game averages of 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists - numbers that are down from previous years. After winning back-to-back NBA scoring titles in 2021-22 and 2002-23, the Cameroon native averaged a career-best 34.7 points last season despite playing in only 39 games.
Injuries have been a frequent occurrence during Embiid's pro career. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2014 draft sat out바카라 웹사이트his first two NBA seasons recovering from a fractured right foot and missed extensive time last season with his left knee troubles.
