Joel Embiid was spotted in public on Sunday by some folks wearing a protective boot on his right foot. The reason, according to The Inteligencer’s Tom Moore, is that the No. 3 overall pick suffered a “minor” setback in his rehab from surgery.
Dei Lynam added that Embiid will be in Los Angeles for a checkup with his doctor, Dr. Richard Ferkel. It is unclear if the appointment was already scheduled before the revelation of the setback suffered.
Several reporters pointed out the Embiid was performing impressive dunks at the end of a workout in the layup line prior to Friday’s home game. Apparently the dunk was ground-shaking.
Embiid just finished off routine with a between the legs dunk. Ground shook. #sixers
— jon johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) March 6, 2015
The Sixers themselves have even been showing off the dunk on social media, writing the caption underneath it “we’ll just leave this here.”
Embiid of course originally injured the foot in a pre-draft workout six days before the 2014 NBA Draft. Chances are he was not going to play in any of the 19 remaining games anyway, but the setback adds more doubt to the equation.
The Sixers have experienced a lottery pick not playing a full season already, as Nerlens Noel missed all of 2013-14 with a torn ACL. He has shown no signs of lingering injury this season, coming on strong of late.
