Feb 22, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) holds his leg after a play against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Joel Embiid has been shut down for the remainder of the season, the Sixers announced on Friday afternoon.
"The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding ongoing issues with his left knee. After further evaluation, it has been determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the remainder of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation," the team said in a statement.
"We are working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan and will update media when we have more information. The team and specialists will continue working with Joel to ensure the best path forward for his long-term health and performance."
It's the only logical conclusion to a season from hell for Embiid. The Sixers are 18 games under .500. They insist that they are trying to compete for a Play-In push. But, rationally, nothing of true value was attainable with Embiid in the state he'd been in leading up to Friday's news.
The most jarring part of all of this is that there still is no treatment plan in place. If there was a clear-cut solution to the problem, there wouldn't still be uncertainty about what's to come.
It's emblematic of the frustrations everyone has felt throughout this season. Waiting for the next update. No clear timeline or direction. In that sense, the uncertainty persists.
But, when heads hit pillows on Friday night, there will be no more apprehension about what the immediate future holds for the big man. His season is mercifully over after just 19 games played.
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