The Philadelphia 76ers have announced that All-Star Joel Embiid will not play for the remainder of the preseason due to issues with his left knee. Yahoo
Joel Embiid's preseason has come to an end. The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Sunday that he will be sidelined for the rest of the preseason as part of his management plan for a left knee injury. The team’s doctors evaluated Embiid on Thursday and reported that while he is “progressing well,” he will not play until the season opener on October 23.
Last season, Embiid faced challenges due to a meniscus injury that limited him to just 39 games. He suffered the injury in late January and had to undergo surgery, which had him sidelined for about six to eight weeks. Fortunately, he made a comeback just in time for the playoffs. During the opening round against the New York Knicks, he showcased his skills by scoring 50 points in Game 3, although the 76ers were eliminated in the first round. For the season, Embiid averaged an impressive 34.7 points and 11 rebounds per game.
This past summer, Embiid represented Team USA in the Olympics, contributing to their gold medal victory. He averaged 12 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during the tournament in Paris. Additionally, Embiid secured a three-year contract extension worth $193 million during the offseason, further establishing his importance to the team.
Recognizing his history of knee issues, Embiid has been focused on managing his condition throughout the offseason. He reported that he lost nearly 30 pounds to alleviate stress on his knees. He did not travel with the team for their preseason games against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Iowa or the Boston Celtics. Although he was initially expected to participate in a limited capacity during the preseason, he ended up only playing in one game last year.
The 76ers had a successful previous season, finishing with a record of 47-35 and reaching the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. However, they have not advanced to the Eastern Conference finals since the 2000-01 season. To enhance their chances this year, the team has made some significant moves during the offseason, including the addition of Paul George in free agency while also keeping Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry. Tyrese Maxey also signed a long-term deal along with Embiid's extension, solidifying their core.
Despite the offseason additions, Joel Embiid remains the key player for the 76ers. His health will be crucial if the team hopes to make a deep playoff run. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the regular season approaches, eager to see how Embiid’s knee management will play out and whether the 76ers can finally break through to the Eastern Conference finals.
