Joel Embiid is about to face yet another uphill battle. The Philadelphia 76ers announced that their franchise superstar will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week, a move that has sparked widespread concern about his future. After already missing the last six weeks of the season, Embiid’s continued health struggles have fueled intense debate. With a long history of knee issues and another surgery on the books, fans are starting to wonder if the Sixers should cut their losses and move on.

This season was supposed to be different. After undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in February 2024, Embiid returned hoping to reclaim his MVP form. In his 19 games this season, he put up 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, proving that when healthy, he is still one of the most dominant forces in basketball. But that’s the problem—he’s rarely healthy.

His return was filled with flashes of brilliance, including a 29-point triple-double against the Mavericks on February 4 and back-to-back 27-point performances against the Bucks and Raptors. But it all came to a screeching halt on February 22 when he took the court against the Brooklyn Nets. The pain, the swelling—it was all too much. That was the last time Embiid played this season, and now, with surgery looming, there’s no telling what comes next.

The Sixers, already enduring a miserable 23-53 record, are missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Their supposed superteam of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey only managed to play 15 games together, finishing 7-8 in those matchups. Without Embiid, the team has completely unraveled, and with no clear timeline for his return, fans are beginning to wonder if the Sixers need to start thinking about life without him.

Fan Reactions: “Embiid Will Never Be the Same”

One of the biggest fears surrounding Embiid’s injury is that he simply won’t return as the same dominant force. Some fans already believe that ship has sailed. “Embiid’s career is over, he will never be the same. It’s a shame bc he was on the same tier as Jokic when fully healthy.” The Embiid vs. Nikola Jokic debate has been raging for years, and at his peak, Embiid could go toe-to-toe with the Nuggets’ star. In their eight matchups, Embiid’s teams have won six, with the Sixers big man averaging 27.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in those games compared to Jokic’s 22.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists.

But while Jokic has stayed relatively healthy, winning MVPs and an NBA championship, Embiid’s career has been defined by injuries. He missed his first two NBA seasons due to foot issues, has battled knee injuries throughout his prime, and has now undergone multiple surgeries on the same leg. Dominating when healthy is great—but if that “healthy” window keeps shrinking, how much does it really matter?

Another frustration among fans is the timing of the surgery. If Embiid was dealing with knee problems for months, why wait until April? “Why didn’t he get this surgery right away?” Surgery is always the last resort for NBA players. Teams exhaust every other option before putting their stars under the knife. Regenerative treatments, rehab, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, and stem cell therapy have all been used to delay or avoid surgery entirely.

Karl-Anthony Towns has undergone regenerative treatments to manage chronic joint issues, while Kobe Bryant famously traveled to Germany for a special knee procedure to extend his career. The Sixers likely hoped Embiid’s knee could respond to non-surgical treatments, but after weeks of swelling and discomfort, they had no choice. Still, fans are frustrated that valuable recovery time was lost in the process.

Whenever a seven-footer starts having chronic knee issues, history suggests things don’t end well. “Hopefully he can fully recover. Big men and knee issues don’t tend to heal fully.” Embiid isn’t the first dominant big man to deal with these problems, and unfortunately, past cases don’t inspire much confidence. Yao Ming’s career was cut short by constant foot and knee issues. Greg Oden, a former No. 1 pick, played just 105 total games before knee injuries derailed his career. Andrew Bynum, a key part of the Lakers’ championship teams, saw his career fizzle out due to the same problems Embiid is battling now.

The harsh reality is that the human body isn’t designed to carry 280+ pounds up and down a basketball court for years. And while modern medicine is better than ever, the track record for big men with repeated knee injuries is not great.

Some fans have already seen enough and believe it’s time for Embiid to consider calling it a career. “lol it’s a wrap, he need to retire at this point.” As of now, retirement isn’t on the table. But if his knee problems persist and his availability continues to drop, the Sixers could explore a medical retirement option. This process would involve an independent medical evaluation to determine whether Embiid is physically capable of playing in the NBA. If deemed unfit to continue, his remaining contract could be removed from the Sixers’ salary cap, allowing them to rebuild without his massive financial commitment.

The Sixers aren’t at that stage yet, but if this surgery doesn’t lead to a real, long-term solution, the conversation will only grow louder.

Right now, all the Sixers and their fans can do is wait. Embiid’s surgery is set for next week, and a six-week reevaluation period will determine the next steps. But this isn’t just about recovering from another injury—it’s about whether Embiid can still be the dominant force he once was.

The frustration, the uncertainty, the mounting doubt—it’s all starting to reach a boiling point. Embiid has overcome injuries before, but this one feels different. If he can’t bounce back, the Sixers might be forced to make some of the toughest decisions in franchise history.

For now, it’s all speculation. But if history has taught us anything, big men and knee injuries rarely have happy endings.