Joel Embiid Reveals Brutal Pain He’s Playing Through Despite Dominant Return Performance

Joel Embiid, after getting brutally trolled, made a statement when he returned. Having missed 13 games, the Philadelphia 76ers star exploded for 35 points in just 28 minutes against the Chicago Bulls on March 25, 2026. No easing in, no rust, it was literal dominance in a 157-137 win, the franchise’s highest-scoring game in five decades.

The numbers popped. Efficient shooting, early control, and total offensive command. Embiid dropped 23 in the first half alone, setting the tone instantly. On paper, it looked like a fully healthy superstar back in rhythm. However, that surface-level read misses what’s really going on behind the scenes.

After the game, Joel Embiid alluded that this wasn’t exactly comfortable. He’s still battling a painful oblique strain, and it’s far from healed (Yahoo Sports, March 25, 2026).

“It’s really painful. You can’t cough. You can’t sneeze. Every time you sneeze, it feels like you are going back to where you started. It’s still not where it’s supposed to be. Maybe when the season is over, it’s going to get better. It’s really painful.”