With fewer than 10 games remaining in the 2024-25 season for the Philadelphia 76ers, they are no doubt looking forward to finishing what has turned out to be an awful season.
The Sixers were expected to be one of the four best teams in the Eastern Conference. Instead, they are fighting to finish with one of the six worst records in the NBA in order to keep their pick away from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That dramatic turn of events has been a result of injuries to stars Joel Embiid as well as Paul George. Both players have already been shut down for the season, and Embiid's health looms over the franchise with him expected to have major surgery this summer.
Embiid had surgery last summer on his knee, but that continued to give him problems throughout this year, including swelling. That's resulted in him needing to have a follow-up surgery to hopefully resolve those issues permanently.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid are close to finding a solution to their biggest problem.
The options involved with fixing his knee all appear drastic. One includes breaking a bone in his hip to be able to take pressure off his ailing knee.
Or, having microfracture surgery, which has been known to end NBA careers. With several options to choose from, all of which appear scary for the Sixers and Embiid, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports they are close to deciding on a course of action.
One positive of the 76ers being out of the playoff race and Embiid having already been ruled out for the season is that he could have his surgery at least a month earlier than he otherwise would have. With any luck, that could minimize the time—if any— that he could miss next season.
That would be the best-case scenario for the 76ers. They could potentially have Embiid and George back healthy next season along with Tyrese Maxey, and potentially a top-six lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. If they can get their team healthy at once, then they could have a fantastic season next year, but it's far from a guarantee that Embiid can hold up.
With serious questions about Embiid's health, both he and the Sixers closing in on a plan is encouraging. Still, time will tell if whatever they decide will ultimately result in a healthy Embiid.