According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has been dealing with left knee soreness “all season.”
Embiid was heavily criticized for not playing against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on January 27. He also missed the Portland Trail Blazers game on January 29 before returning to the lineup on January 30 versus the Golden State Warriors.
The Sixers not only lost to the Warriors but Embiid also got injured after Golden State forward Jonathan Kuminga landed on the reigning MVP’s left leg. Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said the injury that forced Embiid’s exit was different from the one that has been ailing him, but it’s still concerning that Embiid has been playing injured all season.
“As one Sixers source indicated late Tuesday night, he has been dealing with soreness in that same left knee all season,” Amick wrote. “And while Nurse indicated that the injury that forced his late exit was somehow different from the one that had been dogging him of late, the Embiid theme remained unchanged: He was battered and bruised before February even arrived, and his ability to be at his best from here on out is suddenly in serious question again.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
If Embiid doesn’t play in at least 65 games this season, he’ll be ineligible to win his second MVP Award. Embiid has appeared in 34 games this season. He’s averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks.
“I didn’t sign up for that (65-game rule),” Sixers center Paul Reed said of the 65-game rule. “I don’t remember signing no paperwork, you feel me? I guess the (players’) union OK’d it. They probably didn’t have a choice though, to be honest. Yeah, it’s tough. It adds a lot of pressure to the players. We were just talking about that. A lot of pressure — especially dudes like (Embiid who are) trying to get MVP again.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Embiid missed the first two years of his career with foot issues. He’s also undergone surgeries on his knees. The six-time All-Star must put his health first before winning another MVP.
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