Sixers’ Joel Embiid searching for answers while managing knee injury that ‘just keeps happening’

Joel Embiid largely talked about injuries, recovery and his mental state Tuesday night after leading the 76ers to a 118-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center.

The 2023 NBA MVP and seven-time All-Star had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 36 minutes, 1 seconds in his first game back since Jan. 4. But Embiid’s dominating performance wasn’t discussed until the end of his post-game media availability, which lasted more than 10 minutes.

He spent most of the time opening up about the challenges he had to overcome while playing in just 14 games this season. A cycle that will continue when he misses his 36th game due to injuries, load management and a three-game suspension when the Sixers host the Miami Heat Wednesday night.

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Embiid’s most nagging issue has been swelling in his left knee that persists close to a year after he had meniscus surgery on Feb. 6, 2024.

So how tough of a mental challenge has this season been for the franchise player?

“Extremely,” he said. “But you got to try and find a positive and keep that. It’s not a lot, but lean on those positives. Support, family, that can keep you going, keep you motivated, but it’s tough.

“I try to manage it, try to find a solution, and it just keeps happening. So hopefully, this time it will run for good.”

Embiid said he felt good against the Mavs (26-25). And he looked good from the start, making his first three baskets en route to finishing with seven points and two assists in the first quarter. Embiid ended the game by scoring the Sixers’ final five points, grabbing a clutch defensive rebound and making a defensive stop on the final possession.

But he was well rested after missing the previous 15 games. The true test will be how his knee responds after playing in a string of games.

The 30-year-old missed the entire preseason and the first nine regular-season games due to knee management and a three-game suspension. Upon returning, he played four games over nine days before being sidelined the next seven games.

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Embiid returned to play in nine of 12 games. Two of his misses were on the second night of back-to-backs. The third miss was because of a right sinus fracture. But after finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in three quarters of action in the Jan. 4 against the Brooklyn Nets, he was sidelined for month.

The Sixers said Embiid was initially dealing with a sprained left foot before missing the remaining time due to knee swelling.

“I feel pretty good,” Embiid said. “But it can be unpredictable and until I get ... I haven’t really had time to really recover so until I get that time, it could be like that so just gotta keep going, do the right things, take care of yourself, and hope for the best.”

After Wednesday’s game, the Sixers have a two-game road trip against the Detroit Pistons (Friday) and Milwaukee Bucks (Sunday). Then they’ll play a home-and-away back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors (Tuesday) and Nets (next Wednesday), respectively, before heading into the All-Star break.

Following the break, the Sixers will have 28 regular-season games remaining.

Embiid said his goal is to play in every game moving forward.

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But …

“Whatever God decides from that point on, I can’t control it,” Embiid said. “I can only control what I do every single day, and that is to focus on what keeps me on the floor and whatever happens, happens.

“I don’t really worry about how many games I’m going to play and how much I’m going to be available. The goal is to be available every single night and if God wants it to happen, good. If He doesn’t, back to the drawing board.”