Report: 76ers, Embiid ‘Consulting Doctors and Considering Alternative Options’ for Injured Knee

The news continues to get worse on the injury front for the Philadelphia 76ers. According to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Joel Embiid and the Sixers are “consulting doctors and considering alternative options” for his injured left knee.

The 76ers and Joel Embiid are consulting doctors and considering alternative options on his injured knee, sources tell ESPN. Sides have hoped for progress in Embiid’s body, but his efforts to play and current treatments, including injections, have not provided any improvement. pic.twitter.com/GXeqxC7Nwj

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2025

Charania further discussed the Embiid injury news on ESPN’s NBA Countdown. He reported Embiid is having imaging done on his knee later this week. While he mentioned surgery as a potential option for Embiid, Charania said the Sixers currently believe surgery is not recommended. Embiid did not play in the fourth quarter of the Sixers’ loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. He reportedly experienced more swelling in his knee after the game.

Embiid has been hampered by issues with his left knee all season. He has been limited to playing in just 19 games, and his performance has declined when on the floor. The 30-year old is averaging his fewest points per game (23.8) since the 2019-20 season. Charania reported Embiid has undergone multiple treatment options for the knee throughout this season, including getting “regular and frequent shots” into the knee. None of the treatments have resulted in improvement in Embiid’s knee.

The latest news regarding Embiid could be a prelude to the Sixers shutting him down for the rest of the season. Embiid has been laboring whenever he has been able to get on the floor. It is clear the knee is vastly limiting his mobility and overall performance on the court.

Seeing little moments like this with Joel Embiid is driving me insane… Running out of ways to ask why this guy is out there. Organizational malpractice. pic.twitter.com/9jhqEAR0U1

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) February 23, 2025

The Sixers’ season appears to be going nowhere. At 20-36, Philadelphia is currently sitting with the sixth worst record in the league. They are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak and have lost nine of their last 10 contests. The Sixers’ first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft is top-six protected. Philadelphia will only retain the pick if it lands inside the top six. Embiid is under contract with the Sixers for four more seasons. Shutting him down and trying to get him right physically for future seasons could be the path the Sixers end up taking.

For now, Embiid remains listed as questionable with left knee injury management for the Sixers’ next contest on Monday against the Chicago Bulls.