Joel Embiid’s ongoing health concerns have become a focal point of the NBA season. While his injuries weren’t as prominent last year, the stakes are higher this time around, with prestigious accolades like the MVP award and All-NBA selection at risk.
As of now, Embiid has sat out 12 games, raising concerns about his eligibility for MVP and All-NBA recognition, given the league’s requirement of playing a minimum of 65 games under the new CBA.
Despite past frustrations over MVP snubs and a desire to compete for the accolades again, reports indicate that Embiid is unwilling to play through injury to meet the criteria. Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes conveyed this during the recent matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors on TNT.
Embiid’s knee injury has been a recurring issue, sidelining him for five games out of the last 12. Despite being on the injury report since January 6th, he suited up for Tuesday’s game against the Warriors. However, his performance was hampered by his condition, evident in his subpar shooting and limited mobility.
During the game, Embiid experienced discomfort and was forced to leave the court twice, with concerns escalating when he exited in the fourth quarter after an apparent aggravation of the injury caused by contact with Jonathan Kuminga. However, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse provided reassurance, stating that Embiid did not worsen the knee injury, potentially averting a more serious setback.
