Nerlens Noel Injury Update: 76ers Star to Undergo Knee Surgery

Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel will undergo a minor surgical procedure on his left knee to address inflamed plica, the team announced on Friday. 

According to an official medical update relayed by Sixers director of public relations Michael Preston, Noel "reported localized soreness in his left knee" and consulted with multiple specialists before he elected to have surgery. 

Noel's status for the Sixers' season opener Wednesday was already in question due to a groin injury, according to CSN Philly's Jessica Camerato, and knee surgery—no matter how minor—should rule him out. 

If there's any good news for the Sixers, it's that they have Joel Embiid back healthy and Jahlil Okafor on the mend following meniscus surgery. Factor in the arrival of Dario Saric, and the Sixers will have close to a full complement of frontcourt players when their 2016-17 gets underway against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 26. 

As for Noel, the injury certainly won't boost his stock in a contract year. 

And with his future in Philadelphia murky due to a frontcourt logjam, Noel will need a healthy return to the floor in order to prove he's worthy of a long-term commitment as a starting center when he hits the open market next summer.