In a significant blow to the Philadelphia 76ers, star center Joel Embiid has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024-2025 NBA season due to persistent issues with his left knee.
Philadelphia's Joel Embiid has been ruled out for the season. pic.twitter.com/5AHSkwHtPr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2025
The team announced today that, after consulting multiple medical specialists, it was determined that Embiid is medically unable to continue playing and will require focused treatment and rehabilitation.
Embiid, 30, has been plagued by injuries throughout the season, participating in only 19 of the team's 58 games. During these appearances, he averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 44.4%, notably below his career average of 50.1%. His performance was notably affected in a recent game against the Brooklyn Nets, where limited playtime was followed by increased swelling in his knee.
This development is particularly disheartening for the 76ers, who had high expectations for the season following the signing of veteran forward Paul George to a four-year max contract. The team currently holds a 20-38 record, placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference and 2.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for a potential Play-In Tournament spot.
The absence of Embiid, combined with other challenges, has significantly impacted the team's performance. George, experiencing his worst scoring season in over a decade, recently announced an indefinite hiatus from his podcast to focus on improving his performance and assisting the struggling team.
The 76ers' management is now collaborating with medical experts to develop a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at ensuring Embiid's long-term health and performance. This marks a continuation of injury struggles for Embiid, who previously underwent surgery for a meniscus tear in February 2024 and was limited to 39 games last season.
With the prospect of missing the postseason for the first time since 2017, the team's focus may shift toward rebuilding and preparing for the next season. Notably, if the 76ers secure one of the top six picks in the upcoming draft, they will retain their selection; otherwise, it will transfer to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
As the season progresses without their MVP center, the 76ers face an uphill battle to salvage their standing and look ahead to a more promising 2025-2026 campaign.
