Joel Embiid continues to suffer with left knee issues after meniscus surgery last year.

Load management and Joel Embiid have been the main talking points of a franchise that were dreaming of finally etching their names in the NBA history books in 2025.

Philadelphia 76ers’ fans have endured the most turbulent season since the days of ‘the process’ as their beloved franchise currently sits with one of the poorest records in the Eastern Conference – 20-35.

This was the year they were supposed to challenge the revered Boston Celtics at peak of the conference. However, constant injury issues and lack of ideas on the floor have plagued the Sixers, diminishing any hopes of success.

Nick Nurse has scrambled all year long, trying to keep the same rotations on the floor but the inability to be able to consistently field former MVP, Joel Embiid, will be his biggest frustration.

Joel Embiid has been cursed with fitness problems throughout his career – missing 400 games out of a possible 851.

Even when Embiid has graced the court with his elite abilities, he has rarely been 100% fit – most recently suffering from left knee soreness and Bells Palsy in the 2024 playoffs.

His lack of mobility, rebounding effectiveness and ability to fight through screens has been evident during Joel’s limited minutes on the floor.

Despite this, Philadelphia’s star man has still showcased his world-class potential throughout only 18 games this year – averaging 24.9 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Nevertheless, it is the most recent update on the Olympic Gold medallist that will send sickening shivers down the spines of Philly fans.

Joel Embiid explained to ESPN’s Lisa Salters that it “will likely take another surgery and a long recovery period, something he didn’t have after the initial injury last February.”

Time to shut Embiid down?

With the 76ers currently sitting outside the Play-In tournament, now may be the perfect opportunity for the 3o year-old to take a seat for the season and get the surgery he desperately requires.

Daryl Morey, Philadelphia’s general manager, has designed the whole roster around a fully fit Joel Embiid, that is something the fanbase has not witnessed in over a year.

The franchise cannot thrive unless their superstar is fully mobile and can be the devastating threat that he has displayed on so many occasions.

Philadelphia’s most recent match-up should be all the evidence that the front office requires to intervene and convince Embiid to have surgery – suffering a blowout defeat to the Boston Celtics as the game ended 124-104.

It may have been the first game out of the lack-lustre All-Star break, however, a -20 point differential with your most impactful player on the floor displays that a championship should be the last thing on the Sixers’ mind.

It may be time to let Tyrese Maxey gain the experience as the primary option and focus the mindset to next year, an idea that fans may dread, but realism has to come to fruition if Philadelphia want to achieve eternal glory in the near future.