Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will sit out Thursday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks after reporting soreness in his right shin during the All-Star break. The team stated that the issue arose during his right knee injury management program. Embiid is receiving treatment and will be reevaluated before upcoming road games.
Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers' star center, has been sidelined by soreness in his right shin, causing him to miss the team's game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night. The 76ers announced that Embiid first experienced the soreness while participating in a right knee injury management program over the All-Star break. After consulting with doctors, he has undergone daily treatment and continued with on-court work, strength, and conditioning exercises to aid his recovery. Embiid is scheduled for another evaluation prior to the Sixers' back-to-back road games on Saturday against New Orleans and Sunday against Minnesota. This season, Embiid has averaged 26.6 points across 31 games, free from the minutes restrictions that affected him in previous years. However, he missed three of the last five games before the All-Star break due to right knee soreness. The 76ers have struggled without him, losing six of their last seven games in his absence. Embiid's injury history dates back to before his NBA entry; he suffered a stress fracture in his right foot while at Kansas, which sidelined him for two years. Subsequent issues have included a bone bruise, meniscus tear, busted orbital bone, sprained shoulder, tendinitis, torn ligaments, and Bell’s palsy. Despite these challenges, the 7-foot center played 19 games last season and 39 the year before. Earlier this season, he recorded 40 points and 11 rebounds in a win over New Orleans. The 76ers committed to Embiid long-term, signing him in 2024 to a three-year, $193 million extension that includes a player option for the 2028-29 season, starting next year.