There arguably hasn’t been a better player in the 2023-24 NBA season than 76ers big man Joel Embiid.
The reigning MVP has somehow blossomed into even more of a complete threat this season for the 30-17 Sixers. And with averages of 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game — all while posting .533/.366/.883 shooting splits — he was trending toward a second-straight MVP award.
Then, the basketball gods dealt the City of Brotherly Love a wretched blow. Embiid got caught in a tangle with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga while diving for a loose ball on Tuesday. Kuminga landed awkwardly on Embiid’s knee, and a deep silence fell over the Quaker City.
Tyrese Maxey did much to assuage concerns, scoring 51 points as the Sixers vanquished the Jazz on Thursday. But Embiid’s status going forward remains a cause of concern, especially for a Philadelphia side in desperate need of additional reinforcements to cement its place as a postseason contender.
With Embiid, the 76ers are as good as any team in the land and a clear threat for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Without him? It’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to outlast the Eastern Conference’s heavyweights, let alone the surging sides that have emerged out West.
Embiid’s health is paramount to Philly’s success going forward. So, just what is he dealing with at present? And how long could we expect him to be out? The Sporting News has you covered below.
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What is Joel Embiid’s knee injury?
The severity of Embiid’s knee malady was shrouded in mystery — until now.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Joe Vardon reported on Saturday that Embiid was diagnosed with a displaced flap of the meniscus in his left knee.
A displaced flap is considered to be a type of tear of the meniscus, according to orthopedic knee specialists via The Athletic. Embiid is considering getting surgery on the knee.
Charanie initially reported that Embiid had suffered a torn meniscus, sending Philadelphia fans into fervor. He soon walked back on his comments, as additional reporting by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed that, although Embiid had suffered a meniscus injury, the severity hadn’t yet been determined.
To clarify an earlier tweet, the team has not officially confirmed a tear and says that Joel Embiid will remain out through the weekend while a treatment plan is finalized. https://t.co/yShFejGxZv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2024
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Torn meniscus recovery time in NBA
Given the amount of force exerted on the lower body during any given NBA game, bumps, bruises and even tears to the lower extremities are always a possibility. In the case of a torn meniscus, the recovery time across NBA circles varies greatly depending on the nature of the tear, among other factors.
A meniscectomy, which involves the surgical removal of all or part of the torn meniscus, leads to a shorter recovery window of approximately three-to-six weeks, per OrthoInfo. Undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus, which injury expert Jeff Stotts says has better long-term results, is measured in months as opposed to weeks.
Torn meniscuses are not the death knell they once appeared to be across NBA circles. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was felled by the injury during last season’s playoff run. He underwent a “clean up” procedure in early June. Despite longstanding injury concerns, Leonard made a full recovery by opening day. To date, he has played in 42 of L.A.’s 46 contests this season.
Embiid has suffered the injury before, missing time back in 2017 after shredding the tendon in his left knee during a game with the Trail Blazers. He would miss the remainder of the season. During the 2021 playoffs, Embiid suffered a small rip in his right knee meniscus. He missed one game as a result of the tear.
The fog surrounding Embiid’s injury should clear up by the end of the weekend. It could be a long — and consequential — one for the Sixers front office, though, especially with the NBA calendar barreling towards the trade deadline.
