Is Joel Embiid eyeing offseason knee surgery? The Sixers center backed off an ESPN report.
The center has been plagued by swelling in his knee this season, but a team source said another procedure is not needed at the moment.
MILWAUKEE — Does Joel Embiid hope to have another surgery on his left knee this offseason?
ESPN reported that scenario Sunday during its telecast of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 135-127 victory over the Sixers. Sideline reporter Lisa Salters said the Sixers' franchise player told her he thinks another surgery and a lengthy recovery will help resolve his knee issues.
On the heels of that report, Embiid was asked after the game whether surgery was necessary.
“There’s not much to say,” he said. “ … I mean, the straightforward answer is when you’ve got something that’s inconsistent, at some point we’ve got to do something about it. We don’t know what it is. We are looking into every option … at some point.”
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Sunday marked just Embiid’s 16th game of the season. He has been sidelined most of the season in large part due to left knee swelling and management of his knee. The 2023 NBA MVP had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in the knee on Feb. 6, 2024.
A team source said Embiid and the Sixers have consulted more than a half dozen doctors regarding treatment of his left knee. At this time, another procedure is not required, and Embiid can continue to play as long as the pain and swelling are kept under control, the source said.
The source noted that Embiid is understandably frustrated. But the Sixers continue to support him and will explore other options if his knee problem becomes unmanageable.
“I think everybody knows I want to play and I’m trying to do my best,” Embiid said. “At some point, if that keeps being inconsistent as it’s been, you’ve got to try something. … I’m extremely confident and fully confident. I just haven’t had enough time.”
Last season, Embiid returned with seven games left in the regular season following his surgery. But he was still limited by the injury then and during the team’s first-round playoff series loss to the New York Knicks. Embiid continued to wear a knee brace while helping Team USA win a gold medal at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
“No one knew it was going to be like this,” Embiid said. “After the surgery, I didn’t have enough time. I came back for the playoffs. And then after the Olympics, then right back to the regular season.
“So I think at some point, I probably just need to just, especially when the summer comes around, we are going to get those few months and just recover for me. As I say, I don’t know what it is. But if that keeps being the same pattern, obviously you’ve got to try something else.”
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Embiid said he and the Sixers are taking things day by day.
He has played in two straight games and three of the Sixers’ last four after missing 15 consecutive because of his knee and a sprained left foot. He finished with 27 points on 7-for-14 shooting with 12 rebounds, six assists, and five turnovers against the Bucks. Fifteen of his points came on 5-for-6 shooting in the first quarter. He made just 2 of 8 shots the rest of the way.
“I feel good,” he said. “I’m just managing it. You know, I just got to keep going, get the team together.”