76ers Announce Joel Embiid News on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Nov 30, 2025 5:37 PM ET

Joel Embiid’s injury problems have carried over into the 2025–26 NBA season. After suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 30, 2024, Embiid underwent arthroscopic surgery. But his knee issues resurfaced again last season and forced him to play just 19 regular-season games before being shut down for the remainder of the season.

Entering the 2025-26 season, the Philadelphia 76ers imposed a strict minutes restriction on Embiid, limiting his time on the court and ruling him out of back-to-back games as a precaution. After missing the first eight games of the current campaign, he made his season debut against the Toronto Raptors and has since appeared in only six contests, missing Philadelphia’s last nine games due to a knee issue.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, Embiid was initially listed as out with all signs pointing to his 10th straight absence. However, he was upgraded to questionable hours before tip-off.

Embiid participated in pre-game warm-ups, with head coach Nick Nurse listing him as a game-time decision. Nurse confirmed that if Embiid would be available for the matchup, he will have minutes limits to manage his workload (via The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey). Eventually, the 76ers announced that Embiid had been cleared to play.

tonight’s starting lineup:

@TyreseMaxey
@vj_edgecombe
@Yg_Trece
@Dominickbarlow_
@JoelEmbiid pic.twitter.com/ZsN3OkWpWY
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 30, 2025

His availability is a major boost for the 76ers roster, already without Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) and Trendon Watford (adductor), with backup center Andre Drummond also dealing with a knee issue.

Even with restricted minutes, Embiid remains one of the league’s premier players. In six games this season, he is averaging 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game. He recorded a season-high 29 points on 62.5% FG in his last game against the Raptors, showing flashes of his brilliant self.

His career résumé includes an MVP award, seven All-Star selections, and five All-NBA honors. When healthy, the 31-year-old center remains one of the game’s most dominant big men.

Philadelphia (10-8) will look to leverage Embiid’s return as they host the 12-8 Atlanta Hawks. A healthy Embiid could be the difference-maker as the 76ers aim for their second consecutive win and seek consistency in a competitive Eastern Conference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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