NBA Rumors: 76ers' Joel Embiid Could Need 'Radical' Procedures to Heal Knee Injury

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid's lingering knee problems could require a unique set of surgical procedures to properly repair the damage.

Per Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Embiid could have to undergo any one of three "radical" procedures to give him a chance at resuming his career at something close to full strength.

The list of potential procedures includes a meniscus replacement, low-dose radiation therapy or something known as osteotomy that would require doctors to "break a bone in the hip to realign the joint to alleviate pressure."

Hayes noted doctors have said some of those procedures could require between six months to a full year of rehab before an athlete could return to game action.

Embiid didn't play for the Sixers in Monday's 142-110 loss to the Chicago Bulls due to a knee injury.

Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters prior to tipoff that Embiid would continue to undergo testing to determine the extent of the injury, but the 76ers are "not at the point at all" where they are ready to say the former MVP's season is over.

According to Hayes, Embiid reported knee soreness to the Sixers medical staff on Sunday when they discovered swelling in the area:

"When he reported to practice Sunday, he told team medical staff that the knee felt sore, and when they saw he had suffered swelling overnight, the team ordered a comprehensive set of new images. The new tests will not be fully digested by Embiid’s doctors until Monday evening. He was ruled out for Monday night’s game against the visiting Bulls, and team sources say he isn’t expected to play in any other game in the near future."

Embiid had surgery to repair a torn meniscus on Feb. 4, 2024. He originally suffered the injury five days earlier when Jonathan Kuminga inadvertently landed on his leg diving for a loose ball in a game against the Golden State Warriors.

The seven-time All-Star missed 29 games before returning on April 2. He started all six games of their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks and played in five of six games for Team USA in the Olympics.

Ongoing issues with his knee kept Embiid out for the first six games this season. He has only been able to play in 19 out of 57 games for the Sixers overall in 2024-25.

Since making his season debut on Nov. 12, Embiid is averaging 23.8 points on 44.4 percent shooting, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He's on pace to have his lowest scoring average since 2019-20, fewest rebounds since his rookie year in 2016-17 and worst field-goal percentage of his career.

The 76ers have lost a season-high eight straight games. Their 20-37 record is the fourth worst in the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards.