NBA: Joel Embiid might need further surgery on left knee

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid said Sunday that he might have to undergo another surgery on his troublesome left knee.

Embiid’s knee has never been fully healthy since he injured it against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 30, 2024. He underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus seven days later but the problems have lingered.

Embiid played in his 16th game of the season on Sunday when he had 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists during a 135-127 road loss to the Milwaukee Backs.

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It was his third game in six days — he did sit out on Wednesday — after missing 15 straight games due to the knee.

“Every day, take it day by day,” Embiid said after the loss to Milwaukee. “If it gets worse, then you’ve got to do something about it. If it’s not consistent enough, then that’s not good enough.”

Embiid, who turns 31 next month, is hoping the knee will hold up through the remainder of the season, but the 2022-23 NBA MVP indicated offseason surgery is possible.

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“I think the straightforward answer is that when you’ve got something that’s inconsistent, at some point, you’ve got to do something about it,” Embiid said. “We don’t know what it is. We’re looking into every option.”

Embiid has been productive when able to get on the floor and is averaging 24.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

But his unavailability for most of this season has derailed the 76ers, who are just 20-32 and stand 11th in the NBA Eastern Conference.