76ers to Hold Embiid Out for Rest of Preseason Due to Knee Management
The Philadelphia 76ers have announced that center Joel Embiid will not participate in the team's final three preseason games as part of a management plan for his left knee injury, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Gina Mizell. This decision means that the former MVP will miss all six of the team's exhibition matches.
Embiid has not engaged in five-on-five scrimmages during practices with the 76ers, but he is reportedly "progressing well" and will continue following an individualized treatment plan aimed at supporting his health and wellness for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Last season, the seven-time All-Star missed February and March, totaling 29 games, due to a meniscus injury in his left knee, which required surgery. The team has not disclosed specific details about the procedure or the extent of the meniscus damage. Embiid made his return in time for the 76ers' first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, where he averaged 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, including a 50-point performance in Game 3. Despite his efforts, the 76ers were eliminated in six games.
Due to his extended absence from the lineup, Embiid did not meet the minimum requirement of 65 games played to qualify for end-of-season awards, including MVP honors, for which he had been a strong candidate earlier in the season.
This summer, Embiid opted to represent the United States in the Olympics in Paris, contributing to the team's fifth consecutive gold medal in men's basketball. He did not play in the group-stage match against South Sudan but started in all five other games, averaging 11.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 6-of-11 from beyond the arc throughout the tournament.
The 76ers will face the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, before concluding their preseason against the Orlando Magic on Friday. The regular season is set to begin for Philadelphia at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 23.
