The Philadelphia 76ers can’t get away from the injury bug. Earlier today it was announced Ben Simmons will be out for the remainder of the year after not playing a game up to this point due to a broken foot. Joel Embiid has been known to be injury prone throughout his young NBA career. To start out his professional career, Embiid didn’t play a single game for his first two seasons. It has looked up this year with Embiid able to play in 31 games so far, but he has still dealt with his share of injuries.
In January, the 22-year-old center was diagnosed with a minor meniscus tear in his left knee causing him to be out since January 27. With all of the injury problems, Embiid has shown frustration lately at the way his team has handled the situation, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
“I wasn’t too happy with the way it was kind of handled before, as far as the day-to-day part,” Embiid told reporters in Philadelphia after participating in practice on Thursday. “I was told that I was going to miss at least two or three weeks, so I wasn’t happy with the way it was handled.”
Embiid is set to return on March 3 against the New York Knicks, per Youngmisuk. Even though there is a little bit of swelling after practice, Embiid said he was feeling good.
The big man out of Cambodia has been the heart of the 76ers this season. After a yearly finish at the bottom of the standings, the 76ers are currently sitting at the third-worst record in the East. Embiid has played a huge role in that with his 20.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds. 2.1 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 0.9 steals.
The 76ers are going to need Joel Embiid back if they want to continue to try to rack up wins. With the trade that sent Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks, the 76ers could use another big man.
