Joel Embiid showed exactly why he’s the favorite to win MVP as he continues his comeback from knee surgery. He’ll be set right in time for the Philadelphia 76ers’ training camp opening up in September. The All-Star center underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April. His season was derailed by injuries, as he appeared in just 19 games.
Second, this past season was Embiid’s hardest. Then in late February, he tore his meniscus and was ruled out for the season. The injury occurred when Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fell onto his leg during a game, necessitating surgery on February 6, 2024. Before the injury, Embiid was establishing himself as one of the best players in the league, notching averages of 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
Even though Embiid returned for the playoffs, he was unable to play at his usual championship caliber level and never really recovered. This pattern of injuries has been an all too familiar narrative during his career. He was drafted No. 3 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. Though talented, he worked through plenty of adversity, including a major stress fracture in his right foot that kept him from playing for two years before he turned pro.
Since winning NBA MVP for the 2022-23 season, Embiid has appeared in a mere 58 regular-season games. On top of that, he’s played in seven postseason contests during that span. The mental toll of these injuries has impacted him. He openly discussed his experiences with depression and sought therapy to cope with the challenges he faced.
In an interview with PhillyVoice, Sixers Team President Daryl Morey offered some detail into how Embiid’s rehabilitation process is going.
“He’s very engaged, attacking rehab. Doing everything he can to be out there. He had a meeting with [the surgeon] this week. All things, to use a NASA term, are nominal. Things are going well and expected, and we expect that to continue.” – Daryl Morey
Embiid’s determination towards recovery is evident. He emphasizes living positively despite past adversities, stating:
“One lesson that I learned is to try and stop feeling bad about myself and just live day by day. Enjoy good people around me, positivity and not focus on the negativity.” – Joel Embiid
As the 76ers get ready to open training camp, the entire organization is still optimistic that Embiid will come all the way back. His unique presence on the court is important to the team’s identity. Here’s to a beautiful and successful season ahead!
Leave a Reply