76ers' Joel Embiid Says He Could Win Dunk Contest, but Unsure 'Knees Would Allow It'

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid claimed that he could win the Slam Dunk Contest in a post on X, although he joked that he wasn't sure if his "knees would allow" him to participate.

Embiid is one of the most dominant interior players in the NBA, using his size to back down smaller players in the post and finish through contact. He's also finished several powerful dunks throughout his time in the league, including one against fellow center Drew Eubanks on Nov. 4 against the Phoenix Suns.

Per Basketball Reference, Embiid has recorded 466 dunks throughout his eight-year career. However, lower body injuries have slowed him down in recent years. He's failed to appear in at least 70 games in every season since he was drafted in 2014, while his 2023-24 campaign was sidetracked by a knee surgery on Feb. 6 that left him with a re-evaluation timeline of four weeks.

Before he underwent the procedure, his 35.3 points per game led all NBA players while he added 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists each night. Although the 76ers own a commendable 32-22, they've gone just 3-5 since the reigning MVP last appeared in a contest.

While he's showcased his impressive athleticism on numerous occasions, it doesn't appear that a dunk contest is in Embiid's future as he manages his knee injury.