One week ago, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers were on a hot streak. After defeating the Boston Celtics in seven games, rallying from a 1-3 deficit, the Sixers have reached a low point.
With a 0-4 clean sweep, the New York Knicks have sent Embiid and the Sixers out of the playoffs. Once again, Philadelphia cannot make it out of the second round.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 08: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates a basket during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Xfinity Mobile Arena on November 08, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Much about this feels familiar for the Sixers, who watched Embiid battle through setbacks during the playoffs. Before he made his postseason debut this year, Embiid was recovering from surgery due to appendicitis. After recovering for 17 days, Embiid returned to the court for Game 4 against the Celtics.
While Embiid managed to play in three out of four games with the Sixers against the Knicks, he added two more ailments to the list. The big man dealt with a sprained ankle and a sore hip. By Game 3, it was clear that Embiid was far from 100%.
The gamble didn’t pay off, but Embiid was praised by the head coach, Nick Nurse, after the series.
Nick Nurse Speaks On Joel Embiid After The Loss
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 12: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacersat the Wells Fargo Center on November 12, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
via Kyle Neubeck, PHLY: Nurse on coaching with/around Embiid’s injuries: “I commend him, man, he worked his ass off to get out there and play.”
“He certainly was trending upward toward the end of the Boston series…obviously, he gets the hip, ankle, injury that took him out a game, and I don’t think he ever got back to where he was trending.”
Leading up to Sunday’s action, Embiid was struggling with his shot, making just 35.7% of his field goals. The veteran center posted 16.0 points per game, along with 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
In Sunday’s blowout 144-114 loss against the Knicks, Embiid played for 28 minutes. The star center shot 8-8 from the field and went 6-7 from the free-throw line. He scored 24 points while producing five rebounds and four assists. It wasn’t nearly enough for the Sixers to keep up with New York.
The Sixers’ season ends in disappointing fashion, but now Joel Embiid gets to go through another full offseason recovering from his multiple setbacks.