The Philadelphia 76ers have listed Joel Embiid as out ahead of tonight’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
The team announced that Embiid’s absence is part of a pre-planned rest day, as they continue to closely monitor his left knee. According to Kyle Neubeck, there are no new concerns regarding the injury — the plan is simply to ramp Embiid up gradually as the season progresses.
Embiid has appeared in four of Philadelphia’s five regular-season games so far, averaging a career-low 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds on 46% shooting across 22.3 minutes per game. The 31-year-old’s limited workload reflects the team’s cautious approach, with an emphasis on long-term health and playoff readiness.
It’s a notable shift for the reigning MVP, whose availability has been a recurring storyline in recent years. Over the past two seasons, Embiid has appeared in fewer than 60 combined games, battling various lower-body injuries. Last year, he missed a large portion of the schedule after being deemed “medically unable to play” by team doctors.
Still, when on the floor, Embiid has been effective. His best performance came during the 76ers’ 139-134 overtime win over the Washington Wizards, where he tallied 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists on 52.9% shooting. In his most recent outing against the Boston Celtics, he added 20 points and six rebounds, though he struggled to find a rhythm from the field.
Whether Philadelphia’s conservative approach pays off remains to be seen. But if Embiid can steadily ramp up his minutes and regain his dominant form, the 76ers could once again emerge as serious contenders in the Eastern Conference.
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