Cameroonian-born Philadelphia 76ers’ reigning MVP Joel Embiid will be sidelined for at least a month after undergoing surgery on his left knee, dealing a blow to both the team and the player’s individual accolades.
“Joel Embiid had a successful procedure today to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee,” the team announced in a statement on Tuesday. “He will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks.”
The exact nature of the procedure and the full recovery timeline remain unclear, but the absence certainly throws a wrench into Embiid’s MVP campaign.
Currently leading the league in scoring with a staggering 35.3 points per game, the Cameroonian powerhouse was a frontrunner for the prestigious award. However, new NBA rules stipulate that players must participate in at least 65 regular season games to be eligible, and Embiid has already missed 15 this season. With the four-week recovery mark falling just one game shy of that threshold, his chances appear slim.
Embiid’s injury came during a January 30th loss to the Golden State Warriors when Jonathan Kuminga landed awkwardly on his left leg. Despite the setback, Embiid remains a vital pillar for the 76ers, who currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 30-18 record.
While the team awaits further updates on Embiid’s progress, their championship aspirations might hang in the balance as they navigate the coming weeks without their star center.
