Joel Embiid and his future in the NBA is facing fresh doubts as the Philadelphia 76ers star recovers from his second meniscus surgery in the past 18 months.
The Sixers are preparing to begin the season without their former MVP, and concern is building.
An anonymous medical staff member from another NBA team painted a grim outlook.
“When you have a second surgery to attempt and fix the initial problem, and then you continue to deal with delays and more complications, that’s never a good sign,” the medical professional said, via C/P. “Few players have been able to come back from multiple surgeries and injuries to the same part of their body, which is what Joel is trying to achieve.”
The source added that Embiid’s injury battles go back to his early years in the league.
“For him specifically, his injury history and knee issues go back to when he first entered the league. To even play at the level he has to this point is remarkable. Of course, everyone wants to see him back and 100 percent healthy, as the league is better with all of its stars on the court. The reality here is that the damage has been done, and none of us can get word on if it’s actually repairable.”
Sixers beat reporter Keith Pompey suggested Embiid may already be coming to terms with the possibility of retirement.
“I think Joel may know that the end is near, and this is just me saying, and it’s kind of like explaining to people what he’s been going through,” Pompey said on Sirius XM NBA Dash Radio.. “Because rarely do you have a guy tell you how much pain (they’re in) and how much they’re going through.
“Rarely do you have a guy tell you how much pain he’s in and how much they’re going through.”@PompeyOnSixers tells @TheJaxShow and @DarthAmin he thinks Embiid could be hinting at something in his recent ESPN feature pic.twitter.com/620n9QQW5k
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 27, 2025
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