Embiid will undergo left knee surgery and will be out for the season. The 76ers' prospects are bleak.

On April 4, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week to solve his long-standing knee discomfort. This basically means that he will be out for the season ahead of schedule, which is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the 76ers who are aiming to go far in the playoffs.

It is reported that although Embiid and the team's medical team had some differences in treatment methods, after many consultations and weighing, the two sides finally reached a consensus and decided to perform surgery. League sources pointed out that the main purpose of this surgery is to completely eliminate chronic inflammation in the knee and repair potential soft tissue damage to ensure that Embiid can return to the court and return to his peak form in the future.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time Embiid has been troubled by a major injury in his career. Since entering the league, his injury history has always been the focus of attention. Although he has shown strong dominance in the past two seasons and won the regular season MVP in the 2022-23 season, the high-load game intensity and long-term accumulated injury risks eventually triggered this injury.

So far, Embiid has played in only 19 regular season games this season, averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, which is a decline compared to last season. Injuries have limited his playing time, and the 76ers' ranking in the Eastern Conference has fluctuated, losing the stability they should have in the championship race.

According to the medical team's assessment, Embiid is expected to need at least six weeks of recovery and observation after the operation, and the specific time of his return will still depend on his recovery. Although there is a theoretical possibility of "returning to the playoffs", considering the 76ers' current record and overall state, and the surgery is intended to completely recover, the team is more inclined to let him rest completely and prepare for next season.

At present, the 76ers have begun to adjust their tactical system, with Maxey, Harris and others leading the offense. But it is undeniable that Embiid's absence has made the team lose its pillars on both offense and defense. If nothing unexpected happens, the dream of winning the championship this season may be shattered.

As one of the most dominant big men in the league today, Embiid's health issues have once again sounded the alarm for "superstar addiction". How to balance the intensity of use and long-term health of core players will become an important issue for the 76ers and the entire NBA in the future.