Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid underwent a procedure on his injured left knee Tuesday (Feb. 6) that will sideline him for an extended period of time, the team announced. The 76ers say Embiid will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks, and how he responds then will determine whether or not a return this season is possible. Embiid was diagnosed with a displaced flap of the meniscus in his left knee and opted for a corrective procedure to repair the issue.
Embiid's specific issue, which is known as a flap tear, is a complex injury and is often treated with a partial menisectomy (removing a small portion of the meniscus), per Jeff Stotts, a certified athletic trainer and injury analyst for Rotowire.
The reigning MVP was enjoying the best season of his career but has continued to deal with health issues. He's missed 14 out of Philadelphia's 48 games to date, including a marquee matchup against the Denver Nuggets late last month. The 76ers also held him out of their following game against the Portland Trail Blazers, but cleared him to return against the Golden State Warriors.
It was a shaky night on the court for Embiid as he shot just 5 of 18 from the floor, and things went from bad to worse in the fourth quarter when Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fell on his leg. Embiid left the game from there and did not return. Here's a look at the play where Embiid got hurt:
Joel Embiid went to the locker room after getting tangled up with Jonathan Kumingapic.twitter.com/Jq0XuAGpPO
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 31, 2024
While individual awards are a lesser concern for the 76ers, it is also worth noting here that Embiid has been knocked out of the running to win his second consecutive MVP award. The league instituted a new rule this season stating that major award winners must play at least 65 games. Embiid will cross the threshold for the maximum number of missed games when the 76ers face the Wizards on Feb. 10.
Needless to say, the 76ers will miss Embiid's presence. Not only does he lead the league in scoring, but he also has the highest usage rate of any player in the league at 38.6%. Philadelphia (30-19, fifth in the Eastern Conference) has gone 4-11 without him this season.
The 76ers now have even less time to determine its strategy leading up the Feb. 8 trade deadline. They've been weighing the risks and benefits of an all-in push for this championship, knowing that such an approach could cost them their max cap space this offseason. Embiid's injury and time off the court could change that calculus.
