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Joel Embiid’s Dramatic Change in Appearance Goes Viral Before NBA Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Sep 15, 2025 10:59 PM ET

Last season was a disaster for the Philadelphia 76ers, who entered the year with high hopes after adding Paul George and Jared McCain to pair with superstar center Joel Embiid and rising guard Tyrese Maxey.

As has often been the case, though, injuries derailed the Sixers—most notably Embiid, who was never fully healthy and managed to appear in just 19 games.

Lingering knee issues plagued him, and at this stage of his career—given the toll injuries have taken—Embiid likely won’t be the kind of player who ever logs 70-plus regular-season games, which is still something he's never been able to do in his NBA career.

“If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career,” Embiid said in 2024.

Now, after several months of recovery, Embiid looks to be in some of the best shape of his career. Photos surfaced Monday of him working out, where he appeared noticeably slimmer.

Check it out:

Joel Embiid looking slim at Sixers practice today

via @sixers pic.twitter.com/z2l22OIw32
— ProphetX Hoops (@ProphetXHoops) September 16, 2025

NBA fans reacted to Embiid's change in physical appearance:

"Joel is making it impossible for haters to call him overweight," a fan said.

Someone else added, "Looks skinny."

Another person wrote, "I mean he looks like he lost another 25-30lbs right?"

"JoJo lookin slim," one more fan commented.

Over the last two seasons, Embiid has appeared in just 58 games. By comparison, in 2021 and 2022 he logged back-to-back seasons with 66 and 68 games—an ideal and potentially hopeful range for him moving forward.

When Embiid is healthy and available, the 76ers have consistently proven to be one of the most competitive teams in the Eastern Conference. With injuries piling up across the conference this year, Philadelphia could be poised for a massive opportunity.

The Sixers return all of their key players from last season while also adding notable pieces in the draft, headlined by first-round pick VJ Edgecombe and Auburn standout Johni Broome in the second round.

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

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