Fansided

Joel Embiid has minor meniscus tear in left knee

By Chris Barnewall

Feb 8, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Joel Embiid is having an incredible first season, but the health concerns are back.

Joel Embiid has been having one of the best rookie seasons ever. Despite playing on a minutes restriction he’s been absolutely dominant as a rookie, and has been a huge reason why the Philadelphia 76ers are now one of the NBA’s bright young teams.

The Sixers were unwatchable the last few years, but with a healthy Embiid they’ve changed that. The Sixers are a competent basketball team for the first time in years, and that has basketball fans excited.

So much of that has to do with the emergence of Embiid. He’s averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.1 assists in just 25.4 minutes per game. The numbers don’t lie; they’re a far better basketball team when he’s on the floor.

However, the latest news about Embiid’s health puts the rest of this season in doubt for the Sixers. Reportedly, Embiid has a minor tear in his left meniscus. It doesn’t require surgery, but to say there is concern about what this could mean would be an understatement.

The lucky thing here is that it’s a minor tear, and will not require surgery. Minor injuries happen throughout the course of any NBA player’s career, and since it doesn’t require surgery the injury is clearly not something that needs to be treated as soon as possible. This injury can likely be healed through rehab, which is a great sign for the Sixers. Any time surgery can be avoided is a major plus for any player.

The problem is that this is Embiid. He missed what should have been the first two seasons of his career with a foot injury. He’s had injury problems since college, which means even the smallest of injuries raise concern. Even this season, amidst his dominance, he’s missed games throughout with minor injuries.

There’s a legitimate concern with him being potentially injury-prone. If that’s the case, that would be a huge blow against a franchise that has waited so long to see the results of its process. Embiid has been fantastic, and not getting to see him finish out the season would be heartbreaking. Let’s hope he has a speedy recovery without future problems.