The Philadelphia 76ers and star center Joel Embiid are speaking with other doctors and looking into alternative treatment options – such as surgery – for his injured left knee, according to sources who spoke to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“Sources tell me that the 76ers and Joel Embiid are now consulting with doctors and considering options, such as surgery, on his left knee,” Charnia said during a February 23rd episode of ESPN’s NBA Countdown. “I’m told that Embiid is scheduled to have tests [and] imaging done on his knee early this week, and at that point, both sides will collaborate with specialists on the best path forward. Embiid has done multiple treatment solutions [and] options that he has tried throughout the season. His knee has just not been right. That has included regular and frequent shots in that knee. It has just not yielded any improvement,”
The 76ers and Joel Embiid are consulting doctors and considering alternative options on his injured knee, sources tell ESPN. Sides have hoped for progress in Embiid’s body, but his efforts to play and current treatments, including injections, have not provided any improvement. pic.twitter.com/GXeqxC7Nwj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2025
Despite averaging 23.8 points per game on 44.4% shooting, Embiid was held under 16 points in back-to-back games. This is the first time since the 2020-21 season that he has had back-to-back contests with 15 points or less.
What should the 76ers and Embiid do?
The answer to this question is pretty obvious. The Philadelphia 76ers should make sure Embiid gets whatever surgery or procedure is necessary for him to return to his All-Star form. He has only played in 19 of the 76ers’ 56 games this season, and when he has played, he hasn’t looked all that good. This year also marked the first time since 2017 that he was not named an All-Star.
Philly is currently 16 games below .500 and the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. In order to make the playoffs, they need to beat out the Brooklyn Nets AND the Chicago Bulls for the last spot in the play-in tournament. Even if they do make the play-in, the 76ers then have to beat the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and/or Miami Heat to actually make the playoffs! From there, they’ll face off with the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Boston Celtics, whom they have one combined win against this year. It’s safe to say the Sixers are not going to compete for a championship or even a playoff spot this season.
With no championship hopes and teammate Paul George also underperforming this year (16.1 points per game, down from 22.6 during the 2023-24 campaign), it doesn’t make sense for Embiid to keep trying ineffective treatments just to get back onto the court this season so that he can play for a losing team. The best option is for the 76ers to shut Embiid down and end his season, something that ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has already suggested.
“America, you don’t give a damn about the Sixers and neither do we,” Smith said during the same episode of NBA Countdown. “Windy [Brian Windhorst] told you what he told you. And basically what he said was, ‘Lose so you can hold onto your lottery pick.’ That top-six protected pick.”
“Lose. Sit Joel Embiid for the rest of the season. … Sit Paul George while you’re at it. And just be done with it and prepare for the next three years ‘cause this season is a joke.” @stephenasmith shared his thoughts on the 76ers’ season. pic.twitter.com/7PJjMnJYXU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 24, 2025
I have to agree with Stephen A. on this one. Both Paul George and Joel Embiid are under contract with the 76ers through the end of the 2027-2028 campaign. As we have already established, this season is a complete wash. Do you really want to delay Embiid’s inevitable surgery just to claw and scratch your way into an incredibly unfavorable playoff spot?
By shutting down Joel Embiid, he can begin his recovery process and be ready in time for the start of next season. That would be a marked improvement over this year when he missed the first nine games of the season, and the Sixers found themselves in a 2-7 hole before their best player was able to step onto the court.
There is nothing to be gained from trying to compete this season. Give up, let Embiid come back next year fully healthy, and hope that he is in good enough shape to play in more than 40 games, something he has failed to do since 2022-23.
