Joel Embiid, the center for the Philadelphia 76ers, is scheduled to undergo a procedure to address a lateral meniscus issue in his left knee.
Joel Embiid's chances of securing a second NBA MVP award appear to be in jeopardy. The Philadelphia 76ers can only wish for a successful recovery as he undergoes a procedure this week to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee, with the hope that he can make a comeback later in the season.
On Sunday night, the 76ers did not specify the anticipated duration of Joel Embiid's absence. Philadelphia is likely to have a clearer understanding of Embiid's recovery timeline following the upcoming surgery. However, given the nature of the injury, it is undeniably expected that Embiid will be sidelined for a considerable period.
Despite being selected as an Eastern Conference starter for the NBA All-Star Game later this month, marking the seventh time in his career, Embiid's participation is now in question. The 76ers face a three-game homestand starting Monday against Dallas, but this marks just the beginning of an extended period without Embiid, a scenario that has proven challenging for the team as they hold a 4-10 record in games played without him this season.
Joel Embiid, a two-time consecutive NBA scoring champion, sustained an injury to his left knee during a recent game against the Golden State Warriors. This setback adds to a season already marked by struggles with knee issues, resulting in significant time off the court. With 14 missed games this season, Embiid's chances for a second consecutive MVP award are nearly extinguished, as the new collective bargaining agreement stipulates that players generally need to participate in 65 regular-season games to be eligible for accolades like MVP or All-NBA teams.
Despite his injury woes, when healthy, Embiid has showcased MVP-worthy performances, leading the league with an impressive 35.3 points per game, along with averages of 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists. Notably, he set a franchise record with 70 points and 18 rebounds in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 22.
Reflecting on the team's performance without Embiid, 76ers coach Nick Nurse acknowledged both shaky and solid outings. The team recognized the need to adapt and succeed in his absence, securing significant road wins. As of now, the 76ers hold a 30-18 record, placing them fifth in the Eastern Conference with two games remaining before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.
Embiid, expressing his primary focus on helping the 76ers secure their first NBA championship since 1983, emphasized that individual accolades are secondary. Although he leads the NBA with three 50-point games and tops the league with nine 40-point games this season, his main priority remains contributing to team success. Aware that meeting the required game threshold for MVP consideration might be challenging, Embiid emphasized that, ultimately, team victories take precedence over personal achievements.
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