In his first public comments since the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid addressed those questioning his absence from games this season due to what the team is calling “left knee injury management.”
“When I see people saying ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ … I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that. So I do think it’s b——-,” Embiid said, citing a recent Philadelphia Inquirer column that called for fans to receive refunds when Embiid doesn’t play. “… I’ve done way too much for this f—— city to be treated like this.”
Embiid cited instances in past years when he played through pain despite the risk of reinjury, including multiple facial fractures, knee ailments and broken fingers.
“I’ve done it. From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice, came back early with the risk of losing my vision, had broken fingers (and) I still came back,” Embiid said.
“I wish I was as lucky as other ones,” he said later. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I am pretty soon.”
Sixers center Joel Embiid on if there was a moment that led to his deciding to shut things down after the Olympic. He also talked the about the criticism he’s received over not play. pic.twitter.com/eGezZOVoQF
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 1, 2024
Embiid has missed 372 regular-season games and eight playoff contests since the 76ers drafted him in 2014, including the four so far this season. Last season, Embiid missed 43 games with a torn meniscus in his left knee before returning just before the playoffs. He also played in the postseason with Bell’s palsy, a condition that weakened muscles on the left side of his face.
Though Embiid played for Team USA in the Olympics in August, he has not yet played this NBA season. While Embiid said that “everybody” has been on the same page with the plan to rehab his left knee, coach Nick Nurse and Sixers brass had been vague about what exactly is happening with Embiid behind the scenes and why his return has taken this long. The phrase “ramp-up” has been used frequently, but prior to Friday, there was little clarity about just how long that ramp-up period is and where Embiid was on it.
“I think mentally I’m just dealing with getting that trust back,” Embiid told reporters Friday. “In the past, it was just easy. But for some reason, this one is just like, mentally, trusting yourself and trusting your body. And I think that’s really what I’m doing.”
The NBA fined Philadelphia $100,000 Tuesday for misrepresenting why Embiid is not playing, in response to comments from president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and Nurse. This came after Embiid and marquee free-agent acquisition Paul George missed their season opener at home against the Milwaukee Bucks, which was on ESPN.
The league’s investigation found the “left knee injury management” designation for Embiid’s injury was accurate, no new injury occurred and his knee was still unstable enough last week to justify him being out. However, Morey’s comments in an ESPN interview talking about how Embiid being healthy for the playoffs was the priority contributed to the fine, league sources told The Athletic earlier this week.
On Friday, Embiid was a full participant in a practice for the first time this season, which included 5-on-5 scrimmage action. He was ruled out for Saturday’s contest against the Grizzlies, but is close to returning to action.
“I listen to them, they listen to me and (we) see how everything reacts,” Embiid said. “Been doing pretty good. Going up and down five-on-five and today was a great session with the whole team.”
George, who has also missed all four regular season games this season after a preseason knee injury, was also a full participant in Friday’s practice but was ruled out of Saturday’s contest.
The 76ers have opened 1-3 without Embiid and George, in spite of guard Tyrese Maxey averaging 31.5 points in 42 minutes per game. Philadelphia’s supporting cast has shot poorly, as the team is converting on just 27.7 percent from behind the arc heading into Saturday’s matchup with Memphis.
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
