At this point, Joel Embiid honestly needs to consider retirement.
A day after 76ers coach Nick Nurse benched him in their loss to the Nets, ESPN’s Shams Charania says another surgery is looming.
“The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid are consulting doctors and considering alternative options, such as surgery, for his injured left knee, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
“Both sides have hoped for progress in Embiid’s condition, but his determination to play and current treatments — including regular injections, sources said — have not led to any improvement.”
The big man is set to undergo further testing on his knee this week, where specialists, along with Embiid and Philly and decide the best route forward.
After the 76ers lost by two points to the Nets on their own home court, Nurse explained why Embiid sat out the entire fourth quarter, explaining that he’s “not himself”.
“He’s not certainly the guy we’re used to seeing play at a super high level. But I commend him for giving us what he can,” Nurse said.
He continued, “That group was just playing so well together and had a good feel for the game at that point and just wanted to let them roll with it.”
The former MVP has struggled to stay on the floor this season, playing just 19 games out of 56.
Paul George was asked to share how he thinks his teammate could get through the rest of the season.
“Drugs helped me,” he said, via Sixers reporter Kyle Neubeck. “That’s what’s kind of getting me over the hump.”
George went on, “But I mean, I get it. Especially for how big he is the size he is, and how he plays. I know it takes a toll on him. I think the best thing for it is reps.
“… So that was the best thing for me, was kind of just playing through it. Eventually, your body gets adjusted to it and gets used to it.”
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