Joel Embiids nightmare injury update casts doubt on his 76ers future

Joel Embiid might need another surgery.ESPN’s Lisa Salters reported during the Philadelphia 76ers game on Sunday following a conversation with the oft-injured former MVP that Embiid feels like he won’t be at his best self until going under the knife again.

Embiid, who has played just 16 of the 76ers’ 52 games this season, was asked by Salters about how his left knee felt.“He gave a really long pause and just said, ‘It is what it is, just talking about it and dealing with it almost a full year after when the injury first occurred, it’s been frustrating,'” Salters reported.Embiid was referring to a meniscus injury he had last season, which sidelined him for two months and required surgery.Salters noted that Embiid said it was the most difficult thing he’s ever had to go through in his career.That includes missing his first two seasons entirely from 2014-16 due to multiple foot and knee injuries, which carried over to his eventual rookie season in 2016-17 when he played just 31 of 82 games.“He wishes he could play in every game,” Salters noted before adding, “But his body just isn’t allowing him to do that right now.”Salters also noted that Embiid indicated the increased swelling on his knee from time to time prevents the 7-footer from playing on it.76ers GM Darryl Morey told reporters on Friday that the organization is hopeful there will come a time Emiid’s knee is no longer a major issue.

“He said he thinks it will likely take another surgery and a long recovery period, something he didn’t have after the initial injury last February,” Salters said.Embiid is averaging 24.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists across 29.9 minutes per game after Philly’s 135-127 loss to the Bucks on Sunday.His scoring and minutes are his lowest since the 2019-20 season, and his rebounding is the worst per 36-minute tally in his career.The 76ers are 20-32 and in 11th place in the East and 1 1/2 games behind the Bulls for the final play-in spot....