Joel Embiid’s season was marked by injuries. A lingering issue in his left knee limited him to just 19 games. He will now undergo surgery for the second time this year. Meanwhile, certain decisions have reportedly created tension among Embiid and the Sixers.
The Philadelphia 76ers endured a frustrating and underwhelming season. They finished with a dismal 23-54 record and missed the playoffs. Despite having players like Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, and Joel Embiid, they could not turn things around dropping 11 straight games. To make things worse, Joel Embiid chose to undergo surgery on his injured knee. This decision reportedly created tension with the franchise.
“There was some tension there between Joel Embiid and that front office, from my understanding. The team believed he needed to play at some points of the season, that he needed to get his conditioning right through playing and getting better that way. He felt like he needed surgery. He ends up getting the surgery,” stated Shams Charania on ESPN.
Joel Embiid has played only 19 games this season. His lingering knee issue has kept him off the court. Even so, he averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. That level of production shows how talented he remains. However, after the injury he suffered this year, the team believed he could avoid surgery. That did not happen. Embiid ended up undergoing a procedure, and the team reportedly was not thrilled about it.
Injuries have always played a major role in Joel Embiid’s career. He is now in his ninth NBA season, yet he has passed the 65-game mark only twice. That says a lot about the physical setbacks he still faces. As a result, the team might be looking for immediate solutions. Meanwhile, Joel could be focused on long-term answers that help him regain full fitness and stay healthy for the upcoming seasons.
Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers
Joel Embiid’s injury history: How health issues have impacted the 76ers star
Since being selected in the 2014 NBA Draft, Joel Embiid has dealt with injuries throughout his career. In his first two seasons, he missed every game due to foot problems. However, he finally made his debut in the 2016–17 season. That year, he averaged 20.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He showed flashes of his full potential right away. But things did not stay smooth for long. A left knee injury forced him to miss 31 games, bringing another setback.
Since then, injuries have affected him every single season. Some were more serious than others, but they always appeared. Still, he continued to dominate when healthy. He proved his value and resilience by winning the MVP award in 2023. That season confirmed he belonged among the NBA’s elite.
Although he stayed healthy through most of 2023, the 2024–25 season started with another blow. Embiid re-injured his left knee and needed surgery, twice. As a result, he played just 19 games all year. After this long list of injuries, it is fair to wonder how much more he could have achieved without them.
Even so, his decision to undergo surgery shows his commitment to keep going. He wants to extend his career and return to MVP form. It will not be easy to start fresh next season. But he will have a key advantage: he’ll be healthy and ready to show his talent again.
