2 min read • February 02, 2024
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Upon MRI, Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid was diagnosed with a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee.
The key to his return will be what kind of injury the defending MVP has.
As Dr. David Chao explains in the video above, if he requires surgery on his meniscus he could miss the remainder of the season. At the very least, his campaign to win back-to-back MVP titles is done.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, players must play at least 65 games to be eligible for season awards and All-Pro teams.
Embiid suffered a torn meniscus in the same left knee in January 2017 and required surgery. That surgery was a trim, which is the better option in the short term but can only be done a limited number of times without long term ramifications.
If he requires another trim in that same knee this time, it’s not impossible he could return for the playoffs this season but it would put him at risk for further swelling and issues later down the line.
Of course, avoiding surgery altogether would be the best case scenario for Embiid and the 76ers.
The 7-footer from Cameroon is averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 34 games.
It is possible that the MRI showed signal from his previous lateral meniscus injury. If that is the case, he should be able to avoid surgery.
Either way, the team may try a platelet-rich plasma injection to promote healing before they re-evaluate him in mid-February.
With 35 games remaining in the season, the 76ers are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, a half game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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