76ers' Joel Embiid Says Injuries Made Him 'Miserable' and 'Depressed,' 'Hated Coming Into the Gym'
After winning the 2023 NBA MVP award, Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has endured three straight injury-riddled seasons.
Embiid opened up to The Athletic's David Aldridge about the mental toll the last few years have taken on him, and he said he's bringing a more positive mindset to the 2026-27 campaign.
"I went through a period the last few years, obviously, I've come down with injuries," Embiid said. "I just hated coming into the gym. Like, injuries, I can't play, this and that. I was miserable, and depressed. I just thought that's the biggest thing we need — that, not necessarily joyful personality, but something else. And I'm a grown man. A lot of it is on me to fight through it. But then again, it's also nice when you have other people around you that felt that way and can boost you up a little bit."
Embiid had 13 points and 11 rebounds in Tuesday night's season-opening 106-100 win over the New York Knicks.
With experienced former champions like LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added to the roster, Embiid appears more willing to defer to his teammates as he tries to achieve his ultimate goal of winning a title.
"I think the biggest thing that someone like 'Bron adds, other than being LeBron James, is just championship mentality. I feel like I know what it takes to win, but I haven't done it," he said. "I'm looking for guidance on, like, what am I doing wrong? I want to learn a little bit more. Like, I feel like I know a lot, but then again, I'm still willing to learn. All these years, I haven't really had that championship mentality around me. So it's like, what can I do better?"
Embiid and the Sixers will be back in action on Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
