Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is undergoing an MRI after sustaining an injury to his left leg during their recent game against the Golden State Warriors. The reigning MVP scored 14 points before limping off the court with just over four minutes remaining, following a fall by Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga on his left leg. Embiid's return to action in this game comes after missing Saturday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets and Monday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to an issue with his left knee.
The 76ers coach, Nick Nurse, provided an update on Embiid's condition, stating that an MRI would be performed either on Wednesday night or Thursday. Nurse mentioned that this latest injury seems to be unrelated to the previous knee issue that has troubled Embiid. The team will have to wait for the MRI results to determine the severity of the injury and the potential impact on Embiid's playing time.
The timing of this injury is unfortunate for Embiid, as he has already missed 12 games this season. This raises concerns about his eligibility for a second consecutive MVP award. According to the new collective bargaining agreement, players must generally participate in at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for prestigious awards like MVP or inclusion in the All-NBA teams.
Despite the missed games, when Embiid has been healthy, he has displayed an MVP-caliber performance. Currently, he leads the NBA in scoring with an impressive average of 35.3 points per game. In addition to his scoring ability, Embiid contributes significantly in rebounding, averaging 11.3 rebounds per game, and assists, with 5.7 assists per game. One standout performance was his record-breaking game on January 22, where he scored a franchise-high 70 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
The injury to Embiid adds to the challenges the 76ers face during their ongoing road trip, where they have failed to secure a win in their last four games. Their upcoming game on Thursday against the Utah Jazz will serve as the final game of their five-game trip. It remains to be seen how the team will adapt to the potential absence of their star center and how it might impact their performance on the court.
Embiid's MRI results will provide the 76ers with a clearer understanding of the extent of his injury and the subsequent steps necessary for his recovery. In the meantime, the team will have to rely on their depth and find ways to compensate for the potential loss of Embiid's contributions. The focus now shifts to the medical evaluation and the hope that this injury does not sideline the talented center for an extended period, allowing him to resume his dominance on the court.
