Joel Embiid remains the centerpiece of the Philadelphia 76ers, but questions about his availability continue to overshadow the franchise’s ambitions. The two-time scoring champion and 2023 NBA MVP has dealt with a series of injuries that have cut into his playing time over the past two seasons.
Now, with the new campaign on the horizon, a fresh update from one of the league’s top insiders has raised more uncertainty about whether the 76ers can truly rely on their star big man.
Shams Charania Provides Concerning Joel Embiid’s Injury Update
Shams Charania, speaking on NBA Today, painted a worrying picture of where things stand with Embiid’s health. The insider reported that even the 76ers are unsure about when their franchise cornerstone will be available.
“My understanding is even the Philadelphia 76ers don’t know exactly when Joel Embiid is going to play, when he’s not gonna be playing,” Charania said.
He reminded viewers that last season frustrations boiled over inside the locker room and coaching staff due to the uncertainty around Embiid’s availability. “No one literally knew, and it created confusion around that organization.”
Charania explained that Embiid’s knee has become a constant battle, not just an injury to heal from. “His knee issue has been debilitating, he is just gonna have to master how to play through issues, pain threshold any given day,” he said.
According to him, even basic workouts have unpredictable outcomes for Embiid. “One day workout might be different from another day workout and that might lead him to potentially mistime, and they just don’t know quite yet.”
This lack of clarity is especially concerning after Embiid underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April, an operation followed by a six-week reevaluation timeline. Despite the procedure, the lingering effects have carried into the 2025-26 season, keeping his availability a mystery.
Sixers Face Pressure Without Embiid in the Roster
The timing of these concerns could not be more critical for Philadelphia. Embiid was limited to just 19 games last season due to his knee injury and a foot sprain, shutting things down in February.
His numbers dipped to 23.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, his lowest production since 2020 and his rookie year, respectively. Without him, the 76ers collapsed, finishing with a 24-58 record and dropping to 13th in the Eastern Conference last season.
Embiid, selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, has led the Sixers to the playoffs seven times. Yet despite his brilliance, five of those postseason runs ended in the conference semifinals, raising questions about whether the team can truly break through with him as the focal point. And as his health continues to be a concern, the pressure only grows.
At media day on Friday, September 26, Embiid tried to provide some reassurance. As per Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, he feels “pretty good” and believes he has “made a lot of progress.” Embiid acknowledged that there is a plan in place for his return, but he refused to attach a timetable, saying he is taking things “day by day.”
76ers general manager Daryl Morey also weighed in on Embiid’s availability, emphasizing the team will follow medical guidance rather than set rigid expectations.
“This is straight from the doctors: We’re not getting into the expectations game. The doctor’s advice, what Joel said about listening to his body, that’s going to be what carries the day this year,” Morey said, signaling that the franchise is leaving decisions in the hands of Embiid and the medical staff.
Meanwhile, teammate Tyrese Maxey struck a different tone, making it clear that the Sixers cannot afford to hinge everything on whether Embiid suits up. “We’re trying to create an identity to where, no matter who plays, like I’m not playing, Jo’s not playing, Jared is not playing, Paul’s not playing, whoever, it doesn’t matter,” Maxey said.
The 76ers begin training camp on September 27 following their annual media day. Whether Embiid is ready to participate fully remains unclear, but the team’s future depends heavily on how consistently their franchise star can stay on the floor.
