The 76ers have high hopes for the 2024-25 NBA season. They'll have to overcome injury woes to reach them.
When the NBA new year begins, Philadelphia will be without free-agent acquisition Paul George, rookie Jared McCain and 2023 MVP Joel Embiid. Embiid was in and out of the lineup throughout the 2023-24 season and now begins the new season on the inactive list as part of the franchise's big-picture plan.
Embiid is one of the league's top talents when healthy and Philadelphia hopes its approach will ensure long-term success, though it may require games missed on the front end.
What is Embiid dealing with and how much time will he miss? Here is the latest on his status to begin the 2024-25 NBA season.
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What is Joel Embiid's injury?
Embiid is listed on the injury report with what the 76ers are calling "left knee injury management."
Last season, Embiid missed 43 games due to knee injuries, which included a torn left meniscus. He returned for the final stretch of the regular season and played through various ailments during the NBA Playoffs before Philadelphia was eliminated. After some time off, Embiid was a full participant for Team USA during the Paris Olympics.
A limited participant in training camp, Embiid missed the entirety of Philadelphia's preseason schedule.
76ers head coach Nick Nurse said Embiid has not experienced any injury setbacks but the team is "sticking with our plan of making sure we're getting into a really, really good place before we play him live."
MORE: Sporting News' expert picks for the 2024-25 NBA season
How long is Joel Embiid out?
Embiid is out for at least the first three games of the 2024-25 NBA season, ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported Tuesday.
Based on that timeline, Embiid's debut will come no earlier than Wednesday, Oct. 30 against the Pistons, though that is no guarantee.
MORE: Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley pick Joel Embiid apart for not playing back-to-backs
76ers schedule 2024-25
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Oct. 23 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Oct. 25 | at Raptors | 7 p.m. | — |
| Oct. 27 | at Pacers | 3:30 p.m. | — |
| Oct. 30 | vs. Pistons | 7 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 2 | vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | — |
Joel Embiid career stats
- 27.9 points per game
- 11.2 rebounds per game
- 3.6 assists per game
- 0.9 steals per game
- 1.7 blocks per game
- 3.4 turnovers per game
- 50.4 percent field goal shooting
- 34.1 percent 3-point shooting
- 82.6 percent free throw shooting
