Sixers
76ers to Shut Joel Embiid Down for Remainder of 2024-25 Season
Published28 Feb 2025
Joel Embiid’s season has come to a disappointing end. The Philadelphia 76ers are shutting Embiid down for the remainder of the 2024-25 season after deeming him “medically unable to play” due to continued pain and swelling in his left knee.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 28, 2025
In the team’s statement, they announce they are still “working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan.” Embiid was limited to just 19 games this season. He averaged 23.8 points, his lowest number since the 2019-20 season, to go with 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
How did Embiid and the Sixers get into this situation? Embiid has had knee issues throughout his career. However, one play against the Golden State Warriors in January 2024 proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Joel Embiid is down and holding his knee pic.twitter.com/Aigap7Ch4l
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 31, 2024
Embiid would go on to have a procedure to correct what was reportedly a displaced flap in his meniscus. He missed the next two months before returning late in the 2023-24 regular season. The seven-time All-Star then spent part of the offseason playing for Team USA in the Paris Olympics, helping them win a gold medal. His decision to play in the Olympics was questionable considering his continued knee issues, even after having meniscus surgery early in 2024.
The Sixers reportedly met with multiple doctors before the season to form a plan for how to handle Embiid’s knee issues. They formed a consensus that his knee would improve through playing and getting more reps on the court. The Sixers, despite a lot of concerns about Embiid’s health at the time, decided to give Embiid a three-year, $192.9 million contract extension.
The 2024-25 season immediately got off to a bad start for Embiid. He did not participate in any scrimmages during training camp and was ruled out for the entire preseason. Embiid went on to miss the first nine games of the regular season between left knee injury management and a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter in the locker room. Upon returning to the floor, Embiid often fell far short of his typical elite production. Over the past few months, Embiid has been unable to consistently stay in the lineup due to left knee issues and a left foot sprain he suffered against the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day.
Things continued to go from bad to worse for Embiid. He looked physically worn down in recent weeks and his play dipped dramatically. It became clear he was physically compromised to the point of being a net negative when on the floor. Over his final two games of the season, Embiid averaged just 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Quotes like the one below show how constant injuries began to wear Embiid down mentally:
“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now and it sucks,” Embiid said after the Feb. 20 loss to the Boston Celtics, via Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports. “But I believe I probably need to fix the problem and I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have the trust when you’re not yourself.”
Embiid missed the next two games after it was reported he suffered more left knee swelling. The Sixers then finally made the decision to pull the plug on Embiid’s season. However, it is unclear if there are any surgical options that present a significant chance at getting Embiid anywhere close to 100%. While rehab has thus far proven to be a failed strategy for getting Embiid healthy, the Sixers have thus far been adamant about surgery not being necessary at this stage. Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers reports the medical experts the Sixers have been meeting with are continuing to not recommend the surgical option at this time.
It might not be possible for Embiid to ever regain his once dominant form. The Sixers have not determined their exact treatment plan for Embiid moving forward. However, getting him as close to 100% as possible will continue to be their highest priority. Embiid is under contract with the Sixers for the next four seasons, with the fourth years being a player option. The future, for both Embiid and the Sixers, is riding on what happens in the weeks and months to come.
