PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid can overlook about successful a second NBA MVP award.
The 76ers can solely hope Embiid could make some type of restoration and return this season from the process he’s set to endure this week to appropriate an damage to the lateral meniscus in his left knee.
The 76ers didn’t say on Sunday night time how a lot time Embiid was anticipated to overlook. Philadelphia ought to have a transparent concept on Embiid’s restoration timetable after the surgical procedure.
However there is no such thing as a doubt, given the character of the damage, that Embiid needs to be anticipated to overlook a major period of time.
Embiid was named an Jap Convention starter for the NBA All-Star Sport later this month, the seventh time in his profession he made the group. The 76ers have a three-game homestand this week that opens Monday in opposition to Dallas, solely the beginning of an prolonged absence for a group that has slumped with out him — the 76ers are 4-10 with out Embiid this season.
Winner of two straight NBA scoring titles, Embiid harm his left knee Tuesday night time in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. He had already been hampered by knee accidents this season that value him appreciable time. He has missed 14 video games this season, all however ending his probabilities of being eligible for a second straight MVP award. The brand new collective bargaining settlement requires gamers, in most cases, to play in 65 regular-season video games to be eligible for awards resembling MVP or the All-NBA groups.
When wholesome, Embiid has continued to carry out at an MVP degree. He’s the NBA’s main scorer at 35.3 factors per recreation and is averaging 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He scored a franchise-record 70 factors to associate with 18 rebounds on Jan. 22 in a 133-124 victory over San Antonio.
“We had some shaky performances,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated final week. “Then we type of acquired in a groove and had some good ones. We acquired a bunch of excellent street wins with out him. We type of knew, we’ve acquired to have the ability to survive with out him.”
The 76ers are 30-18 and in fifth place within the Jap Convention with two video games left earlier than Thursday’s NBA commerce deadline.
Embiid stated final month he wasn’t involved with one other MVP. He simply needed to assist the 76ers win their first NBA championship since 1983.
“I’ve already finished it,” Embiid stated. “If I’ve an opportunity to get a second one, I’ll do it. I’m not going to drive myself or push for it. My recreation is all the time going to talk for itself. We’re successful. That’s the primary factor. We’ve acquired to maintain successful and you place within the stats to be within the (MVP) dialog that’s nice, too. However on the finish of the day, if there’s one thing occurring, and I can’t meet the requirement for the quantity of video games performed to qualify for that, then so be it.”
Embiid leads the NBA with three 50-point video games this season, whereas his 9 40-point video games additionally leads the league.
