The Philadelphia 76ers had the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. Their pick, Joel Embiid, grew to be one of the most famous centers in basketball history, breaking franchise and NBA records. On Jan. 22, 2024, in a game against the San Antonio Spurs, Embiid scored 70 points, setting the record for the highest number of points scored in a game by a 76ers player. He became only the ninth player in NBA history to score 70 points or more in a game. This accomplishment, however, is just one of many.
However, it was recently announced that Embiid will be out for the rest of this NBA season. He continues to have problems with his left knee and will not play until he is fully healthy and able. Although Philadelphia is not competitive this year, there are lingering questions regarding Embiid’s frequent absence due to injury. When will Embiid be pain-free and ready to play again? Will Embiid ever play for the 76ers again or is his NBA career over? All things considered, many fans question if he is still considered in the debate for the Hall of Fame.
Embiid was born in Cameroon and grew up playing volleyball and soccer. As a young athlete, he was inspired to play high school basketball in the United States after watching the NBA journey of Luc Mbah a Moute, a fellow basketball player from Cameroon. After playing in Florida for several years, Embiid earned a scholarship to play basketball for the University of Kansas. Considering his athletic success at KU, a professional career was almost inevitable for Embiid. He was a top prospect for his class, as shown by Philadelphia’s selection of him third overall in 2014.
Embiid had the size — standing at seven feet tall — and also brought a sense of athleticism and energy to the 76ers that was new and exciting. Unfortunately, his NBA debut was severely delayed due to a series of injuries. After finally making it onto the court, he proved his merit of being such a high draft pick. In 2017, he was placed on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, despite playing only 31 games. His first season active on Philadelphia’s roster showed fans two things: Embiid had strong athletic abilities, but he was also extremely prone to injury.
76er fans felt Embiid’s energy on the court, cheering on his unyielding defense. But even more than that, they loved when he would drive up the score. The 2018-2019 season was Embiid’s chance to truly demonstrate his gift. That season, he averaged 27.5 points a game and an impressive 13.6 rebounds. He helped ignite a playoff run, where the 76ers beat the Brooklyn Nets, but eventually fell short to the Toronto Raptors before making the Final Four. Nevertheless, his legacy did not end there: In 2023, Embiid was named the NBA’s most valuable player and the future of the 76ers still looked bright.
It seems that Embiid’s health is more of an opponent to him than anything else. Out of the nine NBA seasons he has played, Embiid was named an All-Star for seven of them. His talent is not in question here, though his ability, or lack thereof, to stay healthy is worth noting.
“It was first the foot, then the left knee. He broke his face, tore up his finger, hurt his right knee, came down with COVID-19, tore a ligament in his thumb, broke his face again, needed left knee surgery and even dealt with a bout of Bell’s palsy, temporarily paralyzing his face,” Dan Roche from NBC Sports Philadelphia wrote.
Clearly, Embiid is no stranger to the dilemma that he currently faces. It has been a tale of two stories for the record-breaking, possibly future Hall of Fame center. He has had ultra-successful seasons, breaking records, earning high-honors, and maintaining his All-Star status year after year. But his recurring injuries have limited this legacy. Many questions are waiting to be answered concerning his health and future in the NBA, but this would not be the first time that Embiid has overcome an arduous injury.
