The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Sunday that star center Joel Embiid will miss the remainder of the preseason as part of his ongoing knee injury management. According to team doctors, Embiid is “progressing well” following an assessment on Thursday, as reported by John Clark. However, the 76ers will take a cautious approach, and Embiid will not return to the court until the team’s season opener on October 23rd.
This decision comes after a challenging season for Embiid, who was limited to 39 regular-season games last year due to a meniscus injury. The injury, sustained in late January, required surgery, with an expected recovery time of 6-8 weeks. Embiid returned just in time for the playoffs, where he delivered a memorable performance, scoring 50 points in Game 3 of the first-round series against the New York Knicks. Despite his efforts, the 76ers were eliminated in the first round. Embiid finished the season with an impressive average of 34.7 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Over the summer, Embiid joined Team USA during its gold medal run at the Paris Olympics. While his role was more limited than in the NBA, he contributed with 12 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Following the Olympics, Embiid signed a three-year, $193 million contract extension with the 76ers, solidifying his role as the team’s cornerstone for the future.
Throughout the offseason, Embiid has focused on better managing his knee issues, particularly given his history of knee injuries. In an effort to reduce the strain on his knees, he reportedly lost nearly 30 pounds. Despite this progress, the 76ers have opted to hold him out of the remainder of the preseason to prioritize his long-term health. He did not travel with the team for preseason matchups against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Iowa or the Boston Celtics in Boston.
The 76ers, who finished last season with a 47-35 record and made the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, have had a busy offseason. Key additions include Paul George in free agency, along with retaining Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry. Tyrese Maxey also inked a long-term deal alongside Embiid’s extension, signaling the team’s commitment to building a strong core.
While the 76ers have made several moves to strengthen their roster, Embiid remains the centerpiece of their aspirations. As they look to end their Eastern Conference finals drought, which dates back to the 2000-01 season, keeping Embiid healthy will be crucial for their hopes of a deep postseason run.