Joel Embiids knee injury forces early end to 76ers stars season

Joel Embiid is done for the season, the 76ers announced on Friday.The 2023 NBA MVP has struggled with a nagging knee injury this season, and instead of trying to play through it, will now focus on 2025-26.“The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding ongoing issues with his left knee,” the team said in a statement.“After further evaluation, it has been determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the remainder of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation.”The 76ers entered the NBA season as a team expected to be among the top Eastern Conference teams following the signing of Paul George, coinciding with an improving Tyrese Maxey and a presumably healthy Embiid fresh off an Olympic Gold Medal with Team USA.Embiid, however, hasn’t properly healed since tearing his meniscus last season, and having surgery done in early February, which sidelined him for two months.

He returned right before the playoffs, still appearing hobbled by the injured knee, while also fighting through bell’s palsy.Embiid played for Team USA, albeit not entirely well, and signed a three-year, $193 million extension with Philly prior to the start of this season, a deal which runs through 2029 at his discretion.Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in just 30.2 minutes per contest while shooting just 44 percent from the field across his 19 appearances.

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