76ers Face Challenges as Embiid’s Knee Issues Persist

Joel Embiid's ongoing knee troubles are casting a shadow over the Philadelphia 76ers' season. Having played only 19 of 56 games due to knee issues and a foot sprain, Embiid's absence has been felt deeply by the team. The 76ers have struggled, losing seven consecutive games and posting a 20-36 record this season. As they prepare to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday, Embiid remains questionable due to swelling in his knee, raising concerns about his availability.

The 76ers' star center has been receiving regular injections to manage his knee issues. Despite these efforts, he has scored 15 or fewer points in back-to-back games for the first time since May 2021. His recent performance against the Nets was lackluster, scoring only 14 points and missing all six of his three-point attempts. Notably, Embiid was benched for the fourth quarter after struggling throughout the game, highlighting the extent of his physical challenges.

Embiid's knee issues have been a recurring theme since last season when he was limited to just 39 games after tearing the meniscus in his knee. Early this week, he is scheduled to undergo further tests to assess his current condition. This follows an incident against the Nets where he was slow to rise after hitting the court hard during the third quarter.

The 76ers' performance has been inconsistent, even when Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey are on the court together. The team holds a 7-8 record with all three players participating. Additionally, Philadelphia faces a potential setback in the upcoming draft; their first-round pick is top-six protected, and if it falls outside this range, it will be transferred to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Embiid's recent admission that he did not have enough time to fully recover after his surgery adds another layer of complexity to his situation. He underwent surgery in early February and returned in April, but the quick turnaround appears to have impacted his long-term recovery. This comes after a successful summer where Embiid helped the U.S. Olympic team secure a gold medal.