As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for a Friday night matchup against the Chicago Bulls, all eyes are once again on the status of Joel Embiid. The reigning MVP has been working his way back from a lingering knee issue, and his availability remains one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Sixers this season.
According to the NBA’s official injury report, Embiid is listed as questionable for the game against Chicago. It’s a designation that’s become all too familiar this season as the Sixers continue to manage his workload and recovery with caution.
Alongside Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, and Dominick Barlow also landed on the injury report as questionable. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford have already been ruled out.
Embiid’s most recent outing came in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets, where he returned to action after sitting out two straight games. He logged just over 31 minutes and posted a stat line that, for most players, would be a career night: 27 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. But for Embiid, it was a reminder of just how dominant he can be-even when not at full strength.
There was a brief scare during that Nets game when Embiid left the court due to what appeared to be another injury concern. While he did return, it was another moment that underscored the precarious nature of his health right now.
So far this season, Embiid has suited up for only 12 games. In those appearances, he’s averaging 21.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game.
His shooting splits-43.5% from the field, 24.1% from beyond the arc, and 82% from the free-throw line-suggest he’s still working his way back into rhythm. For a player who typically operates with surgical efficiency, particularly in the mid-range and at the line, those numbers reflect a version of Embiid that’s still finding his footing.
This latest injury saga is, unfortunately, not new territory for Embiid. The big man underwent knee surgery last season-the second procedure on that same knee in roughly a year.
His career has been defined as much by his elite production as by his battles with injuries. Drafted third overall in 2014, Embiid missed his first two full seasons before finally debuting in 2016-17.
Since then, when he’s been on the floor, he’s been one of the most dominant two-way players in the league.
But that’s the key phrase: when he’s been on the floor.
The Sixers know that their ceiling rises and falls with Embiid’s health. When he’s right, he’s a game-changer-an anchor on defense, a matchup nightmare on offense, and the emotional heartbeat of the team. But managing his minutes and keeping him healthy for the long haul, especially with playoff aspirations in mind, continues to be a delicate balancing act.
As the Sixers look to bounce back from the loss to Brooklyn, they’ll hope to have their franchise cornerstone available. But even if Embiid suits up, the long-term picture remains the focus.
Philadelphia is playing the long game here, and with good reason. A healthy Embiid in April and May is worth far more than a regular season win in December.