Joel Embiid Set for Knee Surgery, Philadelphia 76ers Hopeful for Full Recovery and Future Contention

The Philadelphia 76ers have announced that star center Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week. The surgery comes after several weeks of efforts to address the knee issues that have plagued Embiid for over a year. The team has confirmed that Embiid will be reevaluated in six weeks and is expected to make a full recovery.

Embiid's knee troubles have been ongoing, causing him to miss time throughout the season. After being ruled out for the rest of the season in late February, Embiid shared his frustration with his diminished performance, stating, "The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I'm playing right now. It sucks. I probably need to fix the problem, and then I'll be back at that level. But it's hard to have trust when you're not yourself."

This season, Embiid played in only 19 games, averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He never reached the level of performance he had in the past two seasons, including his MVP-winning 2023 campaign. A series of injuries, including a leg injury suffered in January 2024, significantly impacted his play. He underwent knee surgery in February 2024 and returned in April for the playoffs, where he posted 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, but the 76ers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round.

Embiid then went on to play with Team USA in the Paris Olympics, though his performance was inconsistent. He struggled for much of the summer, but had a key role in the team's comeback win against Serbia in the semifinals.

The 76ers entered the 2024-2025 season with championship hopes and a plan to manage Embiid's health, particularly by avoiding back-to-back games. However, his knee did not respond as expected, and Embiid missed the start of the regular season. He returned on November 12 against the Knicks but was plagued by further knee and foot issues, missing additional time in January and February. 

It has been a difficult season for both Embiid and the 76ers. The team's high-profile free-agent acquisition, Paul George, has also been sidelined for the season and struggled with his performance. Star guard Tyrese Maxey faced shooting difficulties, and rookie Jared McCain’s promising season was cut short by a torn meniscus. 

Now, the 76ers are hoping that their poor season will help them retain their top-six protected first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft. If the pick stays in the top six, they will keep it; if not, it will be sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a previous trade. Currently, the 76ers are in fifth place in the lottery standings, and they have a 65% chance of keeping their pick.

Looking forward, Philadelphia’s hope is to build a healthier roster next season and return to playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. However, that will depend largely on Embiid’s recovery and long-term health, as he remains a central figure in the team’s future, with over $200 million left on his contract.