Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid knee injury, Embiid injury update, Sixers injury report, Philadelphia 76ers news
Getty
Joel Embiid went down with a scary knee injury in the Sixers' recent game against the Nets, potentially joining the team's big injury report.
The four scariest, and perhaps most common words for the Philadelphia 76ers over the past decade have been ‘Joel Embiid knee injury,‘and once again on Tuesday night, the 2023 MVP went down with another knee injury against the Brooklyn Nets.
Early in the second half, Embiid bumped knees with Terance Mann, dropping to the floor in what could have been another disastrous chapter in his long knee injury history with the Sixers.
Hoop Central
Joel Embiid went down with an apparent knee injury — Prayers up. 🙏
However, despite leaving the court, Embiid eventually returned to the bench with ice on his knee and latergot back on the court to finish out the game. Though he dropped one of his best stat lines of the season with 27 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks on 8/13 shooting in 31 minutes, it came in a losing effort.
But the best news for the Sixers is that despiteEmbiid’s numerous knee issues over the past few years, he was notfound on the injury report Wednesday morning.
Embiid Knee InjuryDoesn’t Seem Long-Term
Though Philadelphia would have preferred him not to go down after the contact with Mann in the first place, the fact that he was able to return to the game and close out a strong individual performance is a good sign.
The center has never played in more than 70 games in a season, and over the past three years, since winning MVP over NikolaJokic,he’s appeared in only 70 of theSixers’ 192 total regular-season games.
Whether it be the numerous surgeries, setbacks, and somehow continuous ability to aggravate one of his many knee injuries,Embiid’s fall on Tuesday reminded 76ers fans of what has been a disappointing past few years for the ‘Trust TheProcess’ centerpiece.
Embiid has missed time already this season, anddidn’t play inPhiladelphia’s previous three games with ‘right knee injury management,‘and his close-call against the Nets almost sent him back on the injury report.
However, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia, after being assessed by trainers in the locker room, the star center returned to the court.
“The big man said postgame that he “hyperextended”his knee but was assessed in the locker room and cleared to play,”NBC Sports reported.
Adam Aaronson
Joel Embiid called his right knee injury a hyperextension but said that, obviously, he was good to return to the game.
In 12 appearances on the season, Embiid is averaging 21 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks on 43.5% shooting. His knees continue to be his kryptonite, but as long as he is on the court and healthy, that should be a good sign for the Sixers.
Sixers’ Injury Report
Though Embiid narrowly missed out on rejoining theSixers’ injury report, hewouldn’t have been alone if his recent knee injury had ended up being a bigger cause for concern. Currently, Philadelphia has five players listed as out, highlighted by rookie V.J. Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quinten Grimes.
Edgecombe is officially listed as day-to-day with an illness, as he missed theteam’s matchup against Brooklyn, butisn’t expected to be out long-term. The rookie has slowed down since his hot start to his NBA career, but overall, despite missing a few other games, he has been a solid backcourt mate for Tyrese Maxey, who continues to be the face of the Sixers franchise and future.
Grimes is also listed as day-to-day with an illness, butisn’t expected to missmajor time either.
Oubre has missed a decent stretch, as hehasn’t played in 40 days with a knee injury of his own.The forward sufferedan LCL sprain in his left knee,and despite recently returning to on-court action,doesn’t have a timeline for a return.
Additionally, both Trendon Watford and Dominick Barlow are on theSixers’ injury report with an illness and thigh injury, respectively.Both have been solid in theirminimal roles for Philadelphia this season, but theyshine a light on the tough availability concerns plaguing the franchise over the past few years.
Yet still, afterEmbiid’s scary fall, the fact that heisn’t on the injury report should be a good sign for the Sixers, as they hope to make a push to the playoffs for the first time in two years.