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Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, was diagnosed with a displaced meniscus flap in his left knee and is considering surgery, two sources informed of his prognosis said. The Atlético.
According to knee orthopedic specialists, a displaced flap is considered a type of meniscus tear. Embiid, his doctors and the 76ers continue to discuss whether the best course of action is to rest and rehabilitate the injury or undergo a procedure that would require him to miss an extended amount of time.
The 76ers declined to comment on the matter Saturday.
The 76ers said Thursday that Embiid has a lateral meniscus injury and will be out over the weekend while a treatment plan is finalized. A source close to Embiid suggested a decision would be made Monday.
Embiid injured his knee in the fourth quarter of a loss against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday when the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga fell on his left knee. Embiid missed his 13th game of the season on Thursday against the Utah Jazz.
Embiid began dealing with what was termed “pain” and “swelling” in his left knee in early January and missed three games earlier in the month due to the injury. A Sixers source said The AthleticSam Amick says Embiid has been dealing with knee pain for much of the season.
In 34 games this season, Embiid is the league’s leading scorer with 35.3 points per game and is averaging 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.8 blocks. From November 17 to January 25, Embiid scored 30 or more points in 22 consecutive games, the fifth-longest stretch in league history. His dominant play this year includes a 70-point, 18-rebound performance in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 22.
Either way, Embiid’s chances of repeating as MVP are probably over. He has already missed 13 games this season, and under a new league rule, any player who does not play in at least 65 of his team’s 82 regular-season games is ineligible for postseason awards. Last season, Embiid already played the fewest games in a season (66) not shortened by a strike, lockout or pandemic of any MVP winner since Bill Walton.
The 76ers, 30-17, have emerged as contenders in the Eastern Conference this season, emerging under new head coach Nick Nurse and his two All-Stars in Embiid and Tyrese Maxey despite the initial turbulence of the James Harden situation and key injuries. players throughout the campaign.
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(Photo: Neville E. Guard / USA Today)