Joel Embiid Talks 'Emotional' Return from Knee Injury for 76ers, 'It Means Everything'
Coming back from his 2024 meniscus injury and playing again "means everything" for Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.
"I can't sit here and say that I thought this would happen again," he told The Athletic's Tony Jones. "I was skeptical that I would have a chance of being this consistent. That's why I'm kind of emotional about it. I think there were a lot of people that thought this would never be possible again. So, I'm happy that I'm getting the chance to play again and be consistent again. I just want to keep playing, and keep trying to get better every single night. So, this definitely feels great."
Embiid was limited to just 19 games in 2024-25. He missed the start of the year due to lingering knee trouble. Then came the meniscus injury that eventually resulted in surgery and shut him down for the remainder of the year.
When the seven-time All-Star still wasn't working out on the court midway through last summer, the concern over his status began to grow.
But Embiid was there for Philly's opener, a 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics, on Oct. 22. While he's in and out of the lineup, including missing nine games in November, he nonetheless looks healthy.
The 7-footer is averaging 23.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Those numbers aren't what he was putting up when he won the 2022-23, but simply having him available is a big step forward.
"What we love is that he looks happy," teammate Tyrese Maxey told Jones. "We want him to be happy, more than anything. And he looks healthy. I think the thing that I'm most proud of is that he's staying on top of his treatment. He's staying on top of getting ice and seeing the training staff. Just seeing him healthy, that is the stuff that really matters."
Embiid has played a key role in the Sixers' 22-16 record, which is good enough for fifth in the Eastern Conference.
The injury fears are never going away completely. For now, the star center is clearly enjoying himself.
