Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid ruled out for NBA season as playoff hopes fade

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will miss the remainder of the NBA season due to a lingering left knee injury.

Embiid's injurt deals a major blow to the team’s hopes of turning their season around. The reigning MVP, who has played just 19 of Philadelphia’s 58 games this season, was initially sidelined in February following surgery for a meniscus tear.

His latest setback came after a fall during a 105-103 loss to the Brooklyn Nets last week, which left his knee swollen and forced him out of action.

"After further evaluation, it has been determined that [Embiid] is medically unable to play and will miss the remainder of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation," the 76ers said in a statement on Friday. "We are working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan."

Embiid’s absence compounds Philadelphia’s struggles, with the team on a nine-game losing streak and sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 20-38 record.

His injury is the latest high-profile setback in the NBA, following San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama’s diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, which is also expected to end his season.

With Embiid out, the 76ers will look to regroup and find a way forward as they navigate the remainder of a challenging campaign.