Joel Embiid’s injury-plagued season has reached its conclusion. The Philadelphia 76ers will shut down their star player due to the persistent swelling and inflammation in his left knee, a major setback after a promising offseason.
The former league MVP is no longer able to dominate on both ends of the court. His offense is limited to mid-range jumpers and 3-point attempts, while his defense is severely hampered by the inability to move laterally. The Nets’ center Nic Claxton repeatedly beat Embiid up the floor, giving Brooklyn an advantage in half-court situations.
This season has been rocky for Embiid, with the knee not showing signs of improvement despite multiple treatment plans. He recently hinted at the possibility of another surgery and had a altercation with a reporter when asked about his efforts to play through pain.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse commended Embiid’s efforts, but acknowledged that he’s “not himself” on the court. The team is now facing a difficult decision: adjust their mode of thinking to try and make a run at the Play-In Tournament or tank the rest of the season to protect their top-six protected first-round pick.
The Sixers’ young core has shown promise, with Jared McCain, Justin Edwards, and Adem Bona emerging as key contributors. If Embiid can get healthy, Philadelphia has the talent to make a real jump next season. But for now, shutting down the injured star is the smart move to protect their prized draft asset.
The decision comes as the Sixers sit 20-36 overall, with a top-six protected first-round pick on the line. With Saturday’s loss, they would have secured the sixth-best lottery odds if the season ended today. However, the reality is that their absolute ceiling is getting the 10th spot, and tanking could be the only way to secure their desired draft position.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6153879/2025/02/23/joel-embiid-76ers-shut-down-lottery-pick-nba-draft