Philadelphia 76ers superstar center and reigning MVP Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week, per team officials. This comes after he was ruled out for the season in late February, as the team and medical staff deliberated on the best long-term solution for his lingering knee issues.
Now, with surgery officially scheduled, the Sixers’ season outlook shifts even further, and questions about Embiid’s durability, long-term future, and the franchise’s direction become even more pressing.
🔍 What Happened to Embiid?
Embiid initially suffered the knee injury on January 30 against the Warriors, when Jonathan Kuminga landed on his leg during a play. The result? A meniscus injury in his left knee, sidelining him for what was hoped to be a temporary stretch.
However, after weeks of rehab and evaluation, Embiid and the Sixers decided surgery was the best course of action—essentially ending his season. Now, all eyes turn to his rehab timeline and long-term health.
📆 How Long Will Embiid Be Out?
Arthroscopic knee surgery typically requires 4-6 months of recovery, meaning Embiid should be ready before next season begins. But given his history of lower-body injuries, the Sixers will likely be cautious with his return.
This isn’t the first time Embiid has battled major injuries:
🚑 Missed first two NBA seasons due to foot issues
🚑 Suffered a meniscus tear in 2017, cutting his rookie season short
🚑 Multiple knee injuries over the past few years
This pattern raises the biggest concern for Philly: Can Embiid stay healthy long enough to lead the team to a championship?
🏀 What This Means for the 76ers
With Embiid out, the Sixers’ championship hopes are essentially gone. They are currently battling to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference standings, but without their MVP, they don’t have the firepower to compete with teams like Boston, Milwaukee, and even New York.
This injury also impacts their offseason plans:
🔹 Do the Sixers build around Embiid, or start thinking about life without him?
🔹 Will they be aggressive in free agency, or remain cautious due to his injury?
🔹 How will this affect their pursuit of another star?
💭 Final Thoughts
Embiid’s surgery is the right call for his long-term health, but it’s another devastating blow for a franchise that’s been stuck in injury misfortune for years.
The Sixers’ future now hinges on how well Embiid recovers—and if he can finally put his injury struggles behind him.
What do you think? Will Embiid come back stronger, or is his health too much of a risk? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️🔥
