Joel Embiid faces a setback as he sustains a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee during a game against the Golden State Warriors, raising concerns about the impact on the Sixers’ season and Embiid’s eligibility for major league honors.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is facing a setback in his season as he suffered a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee during Tuesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
The injury occurred when Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fell on Embiid’s leg while chasing a loose ball in the fourth quarter. The Sixers announced on Thursday that Embiid will be sidelined through the weekend as they explore treatment options for the injury.
This injury comes after Embiid missed three games last month due to left knee soreness, followed by sitting out Saturday’s game in Denver and Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers for the same issue. Despite returning to play against Golden State, Embiid appeared to struggle with the knee throughout the game.
The uncertainty surrounding the treatment plan for the injury has led to ongoing discussions between Embiid, his team, and medical professionals. The NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player currently leads the league in scoring with an impressive average of 35.3 points per game, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.
Having already been ruled out for Thursday night’s game in Utah, Embiid’s absence could impact his eligibility for major league honors, including MVP and All-NBA, under the league’s new player participation policy. With 13 games missed so far, he can only miss a maximum of 17 games to remain eligible.
Embiid, named an All-Star starter last week, is likely to be replaced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver in the upcoming All-Star game in Indianapolis. The Sixers and Embiid face critical decisions in managing his recovery and determining the best course of action for the remainder of the season.
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