Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid ‘Has Struggled Getting Back on the Court This Offseason’ Following Knee Surgery

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid “has struggled getting back on the court this offseason,” according to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

Embiid underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery in April. He only played in 19 games last season.

“Joel Embiid has struggled getting back on the court this offseason, and there is a growing concern that he will not be ready for the start of training camp, league sources told ClutchPoints,” Siegel wrote. 

The Sixers signed Embiid to a three-year, $192 million extension in September 2024. Embiid, 31, is owed $248 million over the next four seasons.

Philadelphia went 24-58 last season. Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey only played in 15 games together, as all three All-Stars dealt with injuries.

Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 2024-25 while shooting 44.4% from the field, 29.9% from beyond the arc and 88.2% from the free-throw line. He had seven double-doubles and one triple-double,

A Kansas product, Embiid has career averages of 27.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists with the Sixers. He’s made seven All-Star teams, five All-NBA teams and three All-Defensive teams. Embiid has played in only 58 games the last two seasons.

The Sixers drafted Embiid in 2014 with the third overall pick. Embiid, the 2023 MVP, missed the first two years of his career due to injuries. 

“Several rival teams in the Eastern Conference who spoke with ClutchPoints a couple of weeks ago at NBA Summer League confirmed mixed signals coming from the Sixers regarding Embiid’s knee health, with one executive stating that the 76ers are regretting their decision to extend the big man’s contract in 2024,” Siegel wrote. “Another source close to the situation stated how these surgeries and countless rehab efforts have taken a toll on Embiid mentally.”

The Sixers haven’t advanced past the second round of the postseason in the Embiid era. Embiid has played with Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, James Harden, Maxey and George.