Feb 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
At last, a decision has been made.
Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week to address his left knee, the Sixers announced on Wednesday evening.
The decision was made following consultations with medical experts.
ESPN's Shams Charania had this to offer:
Embiid will be re-evaluated in six weeks after surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, sources said. It will mark Embiid's second surgery on the left knee over the last 14 months. https://t.co/fv9Sgiojr0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 2, 2025
Of crucial note is that the intention of the surgery is to reduce the symptoms that plagued Embiid all season, Charania reported.
That doesn't say that the underlying issue will be corrected, which is not surprising given the minimally invasive nature of arthroscopic procedures. If that is the case, it seems a bit contradictory to suggest that there is a confident prognosis about the surgery's outcome.
And why, then, did it take more than a month from the date of Embiid being shut down for the season to make this decision?
Embiid has talked publicly about the mental strain of this particular injury. Would it be an extreme measure if everyone agreed that this path was the best forward to alleviate the psychological limitations as much as the physical ones?
Time will tell, I suppose.
In other big man news, the Sixers intend to sign Colin Castleton to a 10-day contract, according to Jake Fischer.
The 24-year-old University of Florida product averaged seven points, seven rebounds and two assists in 10 games with the Toronto Raptors this season.
Marcus Bagley's 10-day contract with Philadelphia will expire at midnight tonight.
