One of the biggest questions looming over the NBA’s upcoming seasons revolves around the long-term status of Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid. Once considered one of the most dominant big men in the league, Embiid has seen his career consistently disrupted by injuries that have limited his ability to sustain peak performance.
Since capturing the 2023 NBA MVP award, the 31-year-old center has managed to play in just 58 games over the past two regular seasons. He appeared in 39 games during the 2023–24 campaign and only 19 in 2024–25, missing a staggering 63 contests in the most recent season. Those absences have only fueled speculation about his future.
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter and Sixers insider Keith Pompey addressed Embiid’s latest public comments, hinting at a possible retirement down the road. “I think Joel may know that the end is near,” Pompey said. “It’s kind of like he’s explaining to people what he’s been going through.”
“Because rarely do you hear a player speak so openly about the pain they’re dealing with,” Pompey continued. “The thing I took from it was, no matter who is on the team, the culture is the same. And I feel like Joel Embiid knows it may not be this season, but the end is near. Maybe he feels like he can’t play at the level he once did. I could be wrong — he could come out and have another MVP season — but that was my takeaway.”
Those comments follow a recent feature interview Embiid gave to ESPN’s Dotun Akintoye, in which the Sixers’ franchise player offered a candid update on his recovery process and how the team is handling his timeline. “We’re not going to push anything,” Embiid told ESPN. “For my whole career, I felt like we never took that approach … We don’t have a timeline. Hopefully, sooner rather than later … It’s all about the results. If I come back early enough and I’m still not myself, guess what? You’re not winning any games.”
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Embiid, who entered the league in 2014, has battled injuries throughout his career. From multiple knee procedures to foot fractures and facial injuries, his physical setbacks have been a recurring storyline. To date, he has missed 400 games while appearing in 446 — nearly a one-to-one ratio. Most recently, he underwent meniscus surgery in April 2025, his second knee operation in less than a year.
The 76ers felt the weight of those absences this past season. Philadelphia closed the 2024–25 campaign with a 24–58 record, well out of playoff contention. Embiid missed 63 games, while fellow key players Tyrese Maxey and Paul George missed 29 and 41 games, respectively. Without Embiid anchoring the lineup, the Sixers struggled to find consistency or compete at a high level.
For now, Embiid remains the centerpiece of the franchise — but his long-term availability is a major concern. Whether or not he returns to NBA MVP form, the Sixers will need to confront the harsh reality of building around a player whose health continues to cast a shadow over their future.
