There has arguably not been a better player in the 2023-24 NBA season than 76ers big man Joel Embiid.
The reigning MVP has somehow become an even bigger 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 shooting splits of .533/.366/.883, he was on his way to a second consecutive MVP award.
Then, the basketball gods dealt a blow to the City of Brotherly Love. Embiid got caught in a tangle with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga while he was diving for a loose ball on Tuesday. Kuminga landed awkwardly on Embiid’s knees and a deep silence fell over Quaker City.
Tyrese Maxey did a lot to calm concerns, scoring 51 points as the Sixers beat the Jazz on Thursday. But Embiid’s status moving forward remains a concern, especially for a Philadelphia team that desperately needs additional reinforcements to solidify its place as a postseason contender.
With Embiid, the 76ers are as good as any team in the country and a clear threat for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Without him? It’s hard to imagine they can survive the Eastern Conference heavyweights, much less the emerging teams that have emerged in the West.
Embiid’s health is critical to Philadelphia’s success moving forward. So what are you currently facing? And how long could we expect him to be out? The Jugo Mobile has you covered below.
What is the cause of Joel Embiid’s knee injury?
The severity of Embiid’s knee illness is a mystery. Much of that is due to initial reports that emerged after Embiid collapsed on the court against the Warriors.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania initially reported that Embiid had suffered a torn meniscus, angering Philadelphia fans. He soon retracted the comments from him, as additional reporting from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and the NBA’s Chris Haynes revealed that, although Embiid had suffered a meniscus injury, the severity had not yet been determined.
To clarify a previous 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
Embiid will undergo additional tests over the weekend as Philadelphia and its big star figure out how much action he could miss in the coming days and weeks. So far, Embiid’s injury is as follows: she is out due to an injury to the lateral meniscus in her left knee.
Torn meniscus recovery time in the NBA
Given the amount of force placed on the lower body during any NBA game, bumps, bruises, and even tears to the lower extremities are always possible. In the case of a torn meniscus, recovery time in 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. by OrthoInfo. Undergo surgery to repair the meniscus, which Injury expert Jeff Stotts says it has better long-term resultsIt is measured in months instead of weeks.
Torn menisci are not the death sentence they once seemed in NBA circles. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was downed by the injury during last season’s playoff run. He underwent a “clean” procedure in early June. Despite long-standing injury concerns, Leonard made a full recovery on Opening Day. To date, he has played in 42 of Los Angeles’ 46 games this season.
Embiid has suffered the injury before, missing time in 2017 after shattering the tendon in his left knee during a game with the Trail Blazers. He would miss the rest of the season. During the 2021 playoffs, Embiid suffered a small tear in the meniscus in his right knee. He missed a game as a result of the tear.
The fog surrounding Embiid’s injury should lift by the end of the weekend. However, it could be a long and consequential period for the Sixers front office, especially as the NBA calendar approaches the trade deadline.
