Joel Embiid’s durability under the microscope as 76ers chase elusive title

Joel Embiid is running out of time — and so are the Philadelphia 76ers.

After another injury-riddled season and a knee surgery in April, the 31-year-old superstar is finally back on the court. But with the Sixers’ title window narrowing and the East up for grabs, this might be the last real shot for Embiid to carry Philly to a championship. 

Embiid's talent isn't the issue, but his lack of availability is. Because of injuries, he played only 19 games last season and 58 regular-season games overall the past two seasons. Expect his durability, legacy and postseason performance (if the 76ers make it that far) to be under the microscope.

76ers have had major talent

Philadelphia has surrounded its franchise player with premier talent — from James Harden, Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons and now Paul George — yet his lack of availability has made it difficult for the team to build momentum. But Embiid has consistently underperformed in the postseason (17.2 PPG to 27.7 in regular season) and missed pivotal games because of injuries.

The seven-foot,  280-pound center had a strong performance in his preseason debut Oct. 18 after having not played in nearly eight months. In a 126-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the seven-time All-Star finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals and eight assists in only 19 minutes.

"I won't say that I felt like I was 18 years old again, that won't ever happen, but just taking it day by day and like I said just learning. Somedays I'm going to be good and somedays I'm going to be tight," Embiid said afterward.  

If Philadelphia's key pieces — George (who's likely sidelined for the season opener at Boston on Wednesday), Jared McCain and a steadily improving Tyrese Maxey — stay healthy, the 76ers could be a force in the Eastern Conference. 

Joel Embiid a top-10 player if healthy?

"If he is back and healthy, he's obviously a top-10-caliber player," ESPN's Tim Bontemps wrote of Embiid.

Embiid uses a combination of his size and skill to be effective on both ends of the court. Offensively, he executes a strong post-up attack and is excellent at drawing fouls. Defensively, he is solid rim protector who uses all of his massive to hinder attacks at the rim. 

The Eastern Conference appears to be for the taking. The Celtics (Jayson Tatum) and Pacers (Tyrese Haliburton) will be without their best players indefinitely while they rehab injuries. The Milwaukee Bucks must adjust post-Damian Lillard, and the New York Knicks must adjust to a new coach. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers (64-18 last season) have a deep roster, but the Pacers ousted them in the 2025 conference semifinals. 

So Philadelphia's championship aspirations rest on Embiid. Now can the 31-year-old with a history of injuries deliver the team its first NBA title since 1983?