The Philadelphia 76ers suffered a massive blow this week as superstar center Joel Embiid sustained a torn meniscus in his left knee. Embiid, the reigning MVP, has battled persistent knee troubles all season long, and this latest diagnosis could sideline him for an extended stretch as Philly gears up for a playoff push.
According to reports...
Embiid met with specialists who have recommended he undergo surgery to repair the tear. While Embiid's status remains unclear, knee injuries of this nature typically require a recovery time of 6-8 weeks.
Should Embiid go under the knife, it would effectively end his chances of repeating as MVP this season. League rules dictate that an MVP candidate must participate in a minimum of 65 regular season games. At the time of his diagnosis, Embiid had already missed 13 contests. Factor in the potential rehab timeframe, and the math simply doesn't add up for the superstar big man.
For the Sixers, the concerns run even deeper. Philly entered the year as a favorite to come out of the East, thanks largely to Embiid's utter dominance and strong complementary pieces like James Harden. But without their All-NBA lynchpin anchoring the middle, the Sixers could find themselves in jeopardy of an early playoff exit.
The team has not issued an exact timetable on Embiid's return. But as the Sixers weigh their options, all sights remain set on having their towering talisman back in time for a grueling postseason run. Still, in a crowded East loaded with stars like Giannis, KD and Tatum, one has to wonder whether Philly has enough firepower to reach the Finals if Embiid's absence proves prolonged.