The Philadelphia 76ers are grappling with a significant setback as their star player and reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, has been diagnosed with a meniscus injury in his left knee. The injury occurred during Tuesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors when Embiid dove for a ball, only to have Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga land on his left leg, resulting in an awkward bend.
As of now, the Sixers have confirmed that Embiid will be sidelined through at least the weekend while they work on finalizing a treatment plan. The team issued a statement revealing the injury to the lateral meniscus and assured fans that updates would be provided as the situation develops.
This latest blow follows Embiid’s recent absence from two games due to soreness in the same knee, both of which ended in losses for the struggling Sixers. Currently on a four-game losing streak, Philadelphia faces the challenge of maintaining their position in the Eastern Conference with a 29-17 record.
How long will Embiid be out?
The severity of Embiid’s injury remains uncertain, with possibilities ranging from a minor meniscus issue, which typically entails a multi-week recovery, to a major injury requiring surgery and potentially ending his season. The outcome will undoubtedly impact the team’s morale and their playoff prospects.
Joel Embiid’s MVP candidacy, once a strong contender alongside Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, is now in jeopardy due to the NBA’s new rules. These regulations stipulate that players must participate in at least 20 minutes for a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for awards. With Embiid having missed 12 games this season, his chances of defending the MVP title are dwindling rapidly.
Despite leading the NBA in scoring with an impressive 35.3 points per game, Embiid’s injury and potential absence from a significant number of games post-weekend could undermine his candidacy. The Sixers and their fans are left anxiously awaiting updates on their star player’s condition, hoping for a favorable outcome that minimizes the impact on their season aspirations.
