The Philadelphia 76ers have been dealt a major blow as Joel Embiid has been ruled out of their upcoming game against the Utah Jazz due to swelling in his left knee.
Embiid, who is the star center for the 76ers, has been dealing with knee issues for much of the season. He missed the first two months of the season due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. After returning to action in December, he has been playing through pain and discomfort in his knee.
The swelling in his knee is the latest setback for Embiid, who has been limited to just 33 games this season. He is averaging 22.9 points, 11 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game and has been a key part of the 76ers’ success this season.
The 76ers will now have to make do without their star center against the Jazz. It is unclear how long Embiid will be sidelined for, but it is likely that he will miss more than just the one game.
The 76ers have depth at the center position, with Al Horford and Kyle O’Quinn both able to step in and provide quality minutes. However, they will certainly miss Embiid’s presence in the paint and his ability to dominate the game on both ends of the court.
It remains to be seen how long Embiid will be out for, but it is clear that the 76ers will need to find a way to win without their star center if they are to remain in contention for a playoff spot.
