CAMDEN, N.J. — Joel Embiid and Paul George will both be sidelined for a fifth consecutive game due to injuries affecting their left knees as the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Embiid, who has struggled with injuries in the past, has not yet stepped onto the court this season. He did participate fully in practice on Friday, including engaging in some 5-on-5 drills with his teammates. Similarly, George has been unable to play this season as he deals with a bone bruise in his left knee, but he also took part in the complete practice session.
The NBA star has missed all preseason games and hasn’t played basketball that counts since contributing to Team USA’s gold medal victory in the Paris Olympics. The 76ers have been managing what they refer to as “left knee management” for Embiid, who played in just 39 games last season due to multiple knee issues, including surgery after tearing the meniscus in his left knee during a game against the Golden State Warriors on January 30.
“Everyone is aligned on the same front,” Embiid stated at the 76ers’ practice facility in New Jersey. “If your body doesn’t respond positively, it’s crucial to take a step back. I’ve faced serious injuries; I’ve broken my face twice and returned to play, risking my vision in the process. I’ve also dealt with broken fingers. It’s frustrating to hear claims that I don’t want to play. I’ve sacrificed so much for this city.”
Embidi’s absence during the season opener raised eyebrows within the NBA; as a result, the league imposed a fine of $100,000 on the 76ers for making conflicting public statements, notably from Daryl Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, and head coach Nick Nurse, which did not align with Embiid’s health status and breached the league’s player participation rules.
Originally selected as the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, Embiid missed his first two complete seasons due to various injuries. Since making his debut in 2016, he has participated in 433 out of 805 regular-season games and 59 out of 67 possible playoff games. His injury history includes a sprained right knee during the 2023 playoffs that led to him missing key matches against both Brooklyn and Boston. In previous seasons, he has also missed multiple playoff games due to injuries, including an orbital fracture and knee issues.
“I wish I had the luck that others seem to have,” Embiid expressed. “However, that doesn’t suggest that I’m not putting in the effort to return, as I will be back soon.”
Regarding his participation in the Olympics, Embiid mentioned he has no regrets. He could potentially make his return during the 76ers’ three-game trip to the West Coast, which begins on Monday against the Phoenix Suns. “It’s really about being comfortable and having that trust in my body,” he remarked. “I want to perform at my highest level. I don’t want to play with hesitation or fear of re-injury. The mental aspect after my last surgery was one of the hardest challenges for me; I’m working on regaining that trust.”