Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, the NBA's reigning MVP, has been diagnosed with a displaced flap in the meniscus in his left knee and is considering surgery, two sources familiar with his diagnosis said. The athlete.
A displaced flap is a type of meniscus tear, according to orthopedic knee specialists. Embiid, his doctors and the 76ers continue to debate whether the best course of action is to rest and rehab the injury or undergo a procedure that would require him to miss significant time.
The 76ers declined to comment on the matter Saturday.
The 76ers said Thursday that Embiid has a lateral meniscus injury and will miss the weekend until a treatment plan is completed. A source close to Embiid indicated that the decision will be made by Monday.
Embiid injured his knee in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday when the Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga landed on his left knee. Embiid missed his 13th game of the season, Thursday, against the Utah Jazz.
Embiid began dealing with what was described as “pain” and “swelling” in his left knee in early January and missed three games earlier in the month due to the injury. A Sixers source said The athleteSam Amick said Embiid had been experiencing pain in his knee for most of the season.
In 34 games this season, Embiid leads the league in scoring with 35.3 points per game while averaging 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.8 blocks. From November 17 to January 25, Embiid scored 30 or more points in 22 consecutive games, the fifth-longest stretch in league history. His dominant play this year includes a 70-point, 18-rebound performance in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on January 22.
Either way, Embiid's chances of repeating as MVP are likely over. He has already missed 13 games this season, and according to a new league rule, any player who does not play in at least 65 of his team's 82 regular-season games is ineligible for postseason awards. Last season, Embiid actually played the fewest games in a season (66) and was not shortened by a strike, lockout or pandemic of any MVP winner since Bill Walton.
The 76ers, 30-17, have emerged as a contender in the Eastern Conference this season, rising under new coach Nick Nurse and superstars Embiid and Tyrese Maxey despite early turmoil with James Harden and injuries to key players. players throughout the campaign.
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