Why is Joel Embiid not playing tonight against the Bucks? 76ers superstar's absence explored (Oct. 23)
Joel Embiid won't play the Philadelphia 76ers’ 2024-25 NBA season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. The Sixers' medical team advised the former MVP to take another week of rest for his problematic knee injury.
It's unclear when Embiid will return, with coach Nick Nurse not yet putting a date, but the Cameroon-born All-Star center is said to also be a doubt against the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers too as he recovers from his injury.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that, along with Joel Embiid, Paul George will also miss the 76ers' season opener against the Bucks.
Embiid has been troubled by constant injuries over the past few seasons and will be unavailable for selection for the Sixers’ season opener. His injuries woes were ever-present last season as the 76ers crashed out in the second round of the playoffs, largely due to his inability to stay healthy for the postseason.
His absence is upsetting for fans and pundits, with the seven-time All-Star seemingly set to be unavailable for back-to-back games, as the 76ers have decided to priorize his health for the playoffs.
The 30-year-old, who signed a $193 million contract before training camp, missed the entire preseason this season.
Sixers coach declares ‘no setbacks’ for Joel Embiid as he works through injury
Losing the team’s best player will have a considerable effect on the 76ers, who finished 31-8 with him - going at a 65-win pace - but struggled without him, going 16-27.
However, Sixers’ coach Nick Nurse has assured fans that there are "no setbacks" with Embiid's recovery.
"Again, he’s really active. He’s lost some weight; he’s out on the court,” Nurse said on Tuesday while addressing the media.
“It’s kinda just sticking with our plan of making sure we’re getting him in a really good place before we can get him playing live. He’s in practice; he’s looking good, he’s progressing. He’s not quite ready yet. He’ll be ready pretty soon.”
Nurse added that he has had no issues with Embiid's Team USA basketball outiings this summer at the Paris Olympics, describing the experience as “great for him personally and professionally.”
Joel Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a season and was restricted to 39 last year. The Philly superstar will want to prove that he can overcome his regular injury problems and flourish with the two-time NBA champions once again.