It just goes from bad to worse regarding Joel Embiid’s health. After playing in 19 games last season and undergoing a second surgery on his left knee following a torn meniscus in February 2024, the former NBA MVP is reportedly struggling to get healthy and appears likely to miss the start of Philadelphia 76ers training camp once again.
According to ClutchPoints’ NBA reporter Brett Siegel, Embiid’s “future is very much in question.”
“Embiid has struggled getting back on the court this offseason, and there is a growing concern that he will not be ready for the start of training camp, league sources told ClutchPoints,” writes Siegel.
“Although word from Philadelphia surrounding the star center continues to be optimistic, and they expect him to return to MVP form, everyone else around the league does not share the same belief.”
Joel Embiid’s knee is reportedly in bad shape, and he’s likely to miss the start of training camp. Some around the league believe the Sixers regret extending him, per @BrettSiegelNBA
“Embiid has struggled getting back on the court this offseason, and there is a growing concern… pic.twitter.com/m4iyPrV0NN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 4, 2025
Siegel reports that Embiid’s knee health is in “bad” shape.
“Several rival teams in the Eastern Conference who spoke with ClutchPoints a couple of weeks ago at NBA Summer League confirmed mixed signals coming from the Sixers regarding Embiid’s knee health with one executive stating that the 76ers are regretting their decision to extend the big man’s contract in 2024,” notes Siegel.
President of basketball operations Daryl Morey extended Embiid for three years and $192.9 million in September 2024, despite him coming off knee surgery. The extension doesn’t kick in until the 2026-2027 season and keeps Embiid in Philadelphia through 2029. His contract is essentially untradeable at this point.
The 76ers shut down Embiid in late February as his knee never healed properly. He missed the beginning of the 2024-25 season and didn’t play his first game until Nov. 12. He wasn’t his dominant self, averaging just 23.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. In his final two games before being sidelined for the remainder of the season, he went 7-for-22 from the field and 0-for-8 from three.
The latest health news about Embiid comes as Paul George, who played in only 41 games during his first season with the 76ers due to multiple injuries, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last month. He will be reevaluated before training camp.
This could mark the second consecutive season where both Embiid and George aren’t ready for the start of the year.
Matt Higgins worked in national and local news for 15 years. He started out as an overnight production assistant ... More about Matt Higgins