By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
We all saw it coming, it was inevitable, but it's still feels like a shock to all. Sixers' rookie center, Joel Embiid is officially out for the remainder of this season.
Sixers announce: "Embiid’s status is changed from out indefinitely to out for the remainder of this season."
— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoCSN) March 1, 2017
Embiid has been out with a knee injury since January 27, and before that, had dealt with a knee contusion that had sidelined him for games before that.
The knee injury that Embiid suffered evolved from a bone bruise to a torn meniscus in a matter of weeks. He was scheduled for an MRI this past Monday as the media and fans waited on a result that came out today.
According to the Sixers and chief medical director Dr. Jonathan Glashow, the bone bruise is improving, but the meniscus tear is not.
"The assessment of Monday's follow-up MRI of Joel Embiid's left knee appears to reveal that the area affected by the bone bruise has improved significantly, while the previously identified meniscus tear appears more pronounced in this most recent scan."
The decision to shut down Embiid came a week after Ben Simmons was ruled out for the remainder of the season as well. After the all-star break ended, Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo and other team officials said that Embiid would be out for a minimum four games. If it progressed the right way, it would put Embiid back in action this coming Friday night against the Knicks in Philly.
Unfortunately, 31 games will be the amount etched into Embiid's rookie stat-sheet for the 2017 season. Shutting down the big-man will without a doubt be a positive thing going forward into next season, especially if there could be surgery in his future.
It is unsure whether or not Embiid will be eligible for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award this season after only playing the 31 games, but his 20 points a game, 8 boards, and a couple blocks make a good case for it.
While losing Embiid for the season hurts, especially after receiving false hope from Colangelo and others for this season, keep in mind that if Embiid played with this injury or even after "recovering," the next injury could potentially be catastrophic.
Joel Embiid will be missed, but the continuation of the Process will have to wait until next season.
