CAMDEN, N.J. — Joel Embiid and Paul George will miss their fifth consecutive game with left knee injuries when the Philadelphia 76ers host Memphis on Saturday night.
Embiid, who has often been injured, has not played yet this season, but was a full participant in Friday’s practice, including a 5-on-5 scrimmage. George, who has not played yet this season due to a bone bruise in his left knee, participated in a full practice and scrimmaged against the Sixers.
Embiid skipped the entire preseason and hasn’t played any significant basketball since helping the U.S. team win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
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During training camp in the Bahamas, Embiid discovered mild swelling in his surgically repaired left knee, a source told ESPN’s Shams Charania. As part of the plan the 76ers and Embiid have developed this season, the swelling was detected during routine exams, and both teams have continued to manage and monitor the knee.
Officials said Friday was the first time Embiid completed a 5-on-5 scrimmage session with all of his teammates.
Embiid has prioritized returning once his left knee is completely comfortable, and it appears he is close to making his season debut. He only appeared in 39 games last season, mainly because he tore the meniscus in his left knee in a game against Golden State on January 30th and underwent knee surgery.
“Everyone was on the same page,” Embiid said from the 76ers’ New Jersey complex. “If your body doesn’t respond well, and your body tells you one thing (sit down), I’ve done it. As far as I can tell, I’ve broken my face twice. , I came back early. When I see people saying, “He doesn’t want to play,” at the risk of breaking a finger, I put myself out there, for this city. I was risking too much. How could you say such a thing? ”
Embiid’s absence from the season opener has sparked suspicion within the NBA, with the league on Tuesday citing public statements by President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, coach Nick Nurse and others that contradicted Embiid’s health status and violated regulations. The team was fined $100,000. NBA rules, including the league’s player participation policy. However, it was determined that there was no violation of the participation rules.
Embiid was the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft, but missed his first two seasons due to injury. Since his first full season in 2016, he has played in 433 of a possible 805 regular season games, but only 59 of a possible 67 playoff games.
He sprained his right knee in the 2023 playoffs, missing games against Brooklyn and Boston. He missed two games in the second round of 2022, one game in the first round of 2021 with various injuries, plus two games in 2018 when he missed the start of the playoffs with a fractured orbital socket, and in 2019. He also missed another game due to a knee problem.
“I wish I was as lucky as the other players,” Embiid said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not trying and doing whatever it takes to get out there. I’m going to get here soon.”
Embiid added that he has no regrets about competing in the Olympics. He could return for the Sixers’ three straight West Coast games, starting Monday against Phoenix.
“It’s actually something I’m comfortable with and trust,” Embiid said. “I want to be at my best. I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m scared of doing something and getting injured again. I’ve been saying that since my last surgery, but it was about me.” Mentally. was probably the hardest, but now I’m working on regaining trust, which used to be easy. ”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
