PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid’s career with the Philadelphia 76ers has been marked by persistent injuries since he was selected as the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Sidelined by injuries, he missed his initial two seasons entirely and has not exceeded 68 games played in any single season. His struggle began with a stress fracture in his right foot just prior to being drafted from Kansas, sidelining him for two years. Since then, he has dealt with various injuries, including a bone bruise, meniscus tears, a fractured orbital bone, a sprained shoulder, tendinitis, torn ligaments, and even Bell’s palsy.
During the 2024-25 season, Embiid participated in only 19 out of 82 games. He was benched for 63 games as a result of the 76ers deciding to focus on treating his left knee issues. Additionally, he missed games due to a sinus fracture and faced a three-game suspension following a confrontation with a reporter.
In the 2023-24 season, Embiid was in 39 out of a possible 82 games. He underwent meniscus surgery on February 6, 2024, after sustaining an injury when Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors fell onto his left leg. Before that incident, he had already missed games due to swelling in his left knee. Although he returned for the playoffs, he was affected by a bout with Bell’s palsy.
The 2022-23 season saw Embiid playing 66 of 82 games. He lost seven games to a sprained left foot and also encountered a sprained right knee.
In the 2021-22 campaign, Embiid was present for 68 of 82 games. His missed games were mainly attributed to a COVID-19 infection and another orbital bone fracture.
For the 2020-21 season, Embiid participated in 51 out of 72 games. A bone bruise on his left knee kept him out for ten games, alongside a torn meniscus in his right knee.
During the 2019-20 season, he played 51 out of 73 games, with significant injuries including a sprained left shoulder and a torn ligament in the ring finger of his left hand.
During the 2018-19 season, he appeared in 64 out of 82 games, missing eight games due to tendinitis in his left knee.
For the 2017-18 season, Embiid played in 63 out of 82 games, during which he fractured his left orbital bone and sustained a concussion.
In the 2016-17 season, Embiid appeared in 31 out of 82 games, plagued by a bone bruise and a torn meniscus in his left knee that rendered him unavailable for approximately 41 games.
During the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, Joel Embiid missed all 164 games, as he was recovering from the stress fracture in his right foot.
