76ers center Joel Embiid to be re-evaluted in four weeks
Philadelphia 76ers star big man Joel Embiid had a left knee procedure on Tuesday that will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Embiid suffered a knee injury against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 30 after Jonathan Kuminga fell on him when he attempted to gain possession on a loose ball.
The All-Star big man entered last Tuesday’s game dealing with nagging injuries that forced him to miss two consecutive games. Embiid will now fall short of the NBA’s 65-game threshold to vie for postseason awards.
He had been putting together an MVP-caliber campaign, leading the league with 35.3 points along with 11.3 rebounds and a career-best 5.7 assists while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and 36.6 percent from 3-point range.
He was also on pace to join Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to average least 35.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in a single season.
The 76ers are hoping that Embiid can avoid additional missed time or require season-ending surgery. Philadelphia has been in a tailspin over the last couple of weeks, dropping six out of their last seven contests and falling to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
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Embiid’s absence puts more of the onus on Tyrese Maxey to lead the charge offensively. Maxey earned his first All-Star Game selection behind currently averaging 25.9 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 38.0 percent from deep.
Philadelphia needs Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre to step up in more prominent offensive roles with Embiid sidelined.
