Joel Embiid has unfortunately been one of the most injury-prone players in the entire NBA over the course of his career. Still, when healthy, he’s an MVP-level player with the talent to lead the Philadelphia 76ers deep into the NBA Playoffs.
Last season, the former MVP appeared in just 19 games for the Sixers, and given all of the other injuries that the team sustained, they ended the season as one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference. In the 2025-26 season, there was optimism that Embiid could return to the floor.
Nick Nurse Reveals Joel Embiid Is Still Experiencing Pain In Injury Recovery
In six games played this season, he has averaged 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. Unfortunately, the injury bug has struck again, as Embiid has been out since Nov. 8, 2025, recovering from an injury to his right knee.
If the 76ers hope to compete for a spot in the NBA Playoffs this season, they need Embiid healthy to pair with their young, extremely talented backcourt. But with injury to the former MVP, there’s cause for concern.
That concern was recently addressed by head coach Nick Nurse, who revealed that Embiid isn’t yet pain-free in his right knee. However, the team isn’t overly worried about his status, as it appears he’ll be back on the ice in the very near future.
According to a video uploaded by Big5Hoops.com reporter Aaron Bracy, Nurse said, “He’s OK, just not pain free. He’s still day to day, getting better. And I don’t think he’s far away from playing.”
Coach Nick Nurse with an update on Joel Embiid, who tonight will miss his 3rd straight and 8th of 13 games. He’s out due to right knee injury management.
“He’s OK, just not pain free. He’s still day to day, getting better. And I don’t think he’s far away from playing.”#Sixers pic.twitter.com/zkzhpIKCJl
— Aaron Bracy (@Aaron_Bracy) November 17, 2025
Dating back to the start of the 2023-24 season, Embiid has appeared in just 64 total regular-season games for the 76ers. He has dealt with injuries to his face, knee, and foot. He will miss his third straight game on Monday night due to the latest in that long line of injuries.
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Thankfully, though, Nurse appears optimistic that we’ll see Embiid healthy in the near future. With the team having significantly improved depth, they can now afford to play him in a more limited role for fewer minutes to keep him healthy throughout the regular season.
With the backcourt of VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, and Quentin Grimes all playing at a high level, this team is thriving on its youth in the 2025-26 season. If Embiid can stay healthy until the postseason, this team appears to be a significant threat. With Paul George set to make his season debut on Monday, luck seems to be turning for this team.
