The Philadelphia 76ers are entering the 2025–26 season with more questions than answers, and none loom larger than the health of their franchise cornerstone, Joel Embiid. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, there is “genuine concern” across the league about the long-term condition of Embiid’s knee, despite the Sixers’ attempts to downplay the situation.
Embiid’s troubles began in February 2024, when he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery, he was limited to just 19 games last season, averaging a still-impressive 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. But the numbers couldn’t mask the reality: Embiid was far from his MVP form, and the Sixers stumbled to a 24–58 record, missing the playoffs entirely.
The concern isn’t just about missed games, it’s about durability and longevity. Embiid, now 31, has missed 400 games since being drafted in 2014. With recurring knee issues and a history of foot injuries, some insiders have begun to speculate about early retirement, drawing comparisons to stars like Yao Ming, whose career was cut short by chronic injuries.
Despite the red flags, the Sixers doubled down on Embiid last September, signing him to a three-year, $187.6 million extension that runs through 2028. If he opts into his player option, Embiid will earn $67.1 million in the final year of the deal. That’s a massive investment in a player whose availability is increasingly uncertain.
Philadelphia insists Embiid will be ready for training camp, but league insiders aren’t convinced. With fellow star Paul George also nursing injuries, the Sixers’ championship window may be closing faster than expected.
Only updates are that George is out for the start of training camp and may not play in the preseason. Too early to tell there.
As for Embiid, there is genuine concern about his knee health. Of course word from Philly gets downplayed, but around the league, word is bad. https://t.co/4lLry1FM9A
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) August 3, 2025
