The NBA playoffs are starting in a couple of weeks as the regular season winds down to its last handful of games. The field is about as open as it has ever been, with the Cleveland Cavaliers surprisingly having the best record in the league.
Unfortunately, another Eastern Conference team that fans, pundits, and analysts expected to be in title contention is missing the playoffs entirely after what’s been an extremely disappointing season.
The Philadelphia 76ers have already been eliminated from the playoffs, largely thanks to the unavailability of their star center, Joel Embiid.
Now, news has come out that Embiid has an upcoming surgery on the knee that ended his season, according to one prominent league insider.
“Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week, a team official tells ESPN. Embiid was ruled out for season in late February as he and the 76ers met with doctors to determine the best treatment to alleviate his knee issues,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday.
Shams then followed up his initial report on the plan for Embiid following next week’s surgery.
“Embiid will be re-evaluated in six weeks after surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, sources said. It will mark Embiid’s second surgery on the left knee over the last 14 months.”
It’ll be interesting to see what level Embiid is able to perform at upon his return to play.