Generational talent meets career-defining bad luck. Joel Embiid's recurring injuries consistently shadow his dominance, fueling an ongoing debate about his availability.
That was the sentiment shared by Vince Goodwill on an ESPN First Take segment discussing Joel Embiid. Embiid's career has been defined by not only his generational talent but by how often he seems to get injured at the worst possible moment.
The trend started early. Embiid missed his entire rookie season after surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot, a setback that delayed his debut and began the discussion about his ability to stay on the court. Even after finally playing and playing well at that, his availability has always been a talking point.
The injury setbacks have also come in some of his biggest moments. In 2018, Embiid suffered an orbital fracture and concussion after colliding with teammate Markelle Fultz. This sidelined him for weeks and forced him to wear a protective mask after returning in game 3 of the first round against the Miami Heat. The fracture happened again in 2022, and happened while he was playing through a torn right ligament in his thumb.
This kind of bad luck and timing has become a theme in his career, just as Philadelphia looks to be in position to go on a run, something has often gone wrong.
More recently, the same story played out again. Embiid only played in 39 games during the 2023-2024 season after tearing his meniscus; he played in the postseason through Bell's palsy and was still dominant against the New York Knicks. The previous season also featured another meniscus tear and other injuries that hampered him.
Now, another setback has hit just as the 76ers are fighting for their postseason life. Embiid underwent surgery for appendicitis in Houston and missed a crucial late-season game against the Rockets, leaving Philadelphia to manage the final stretch without its centerpiece. He has only played 39 games this season, but when he has played, he has been excellent.
That is what makes Embiid's injury history so frustrating. He has already proven he is one of the best players of his era, with career averages of 27.6 points and 10.8 rebounds. But the biggest questions around him have always been about availability when the games matter most. His talent is undeniable, but his health has been far more questionable throughout his career.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.