Earlier this season, Joel Embiid broke silence on the constant criticism he has been facing for taking time off to manage his knee injury, “I see people saying ‘he doesn’t want to play.’ I’ve done way too much for this city putting myself at risk for people to be saying that. I do think it’s b——-.” Unfortunately, despite his constant efforts, the risk has not paid off. The former MVP has struggled to stay available all year and turns out, he has now been ruled out for the remainder of the season because of his lingering knee issues. And the tragic news has left the hoop community divided.

Well, Embiid’s problems began last year when Jonathan Kuminga accidentally fell on his leg during a Warriors game. Putting his potential MVP season to a halt, the brutal collision led to a torn meniscus in his left knee, limiting him to playing only 39 games. Sure, the Sixers star went through a grueling recovery process and returned for a brief period during the playoffs. But it was clear that the knee was still bothering him.

Even this season, Joel Embiid’s road has been anything but smooth. He made a late debut, first due to injury management and then because of a three-game suspension—a punishment stemming from a physical altercation with columnist Marcus Hayes, who, ironically, had been criticizing him for missing games.

As the season progressed, Embiid fought to stay on the court, even taking injections to manage the pain. But earlier this week, concerns flared up again after new imaging on his injured knee.

Now, after consulting with specialists and doctors, the Sixers are facing a harsh reality—shutting Embiid down for the season might be the best option for both him and the team.

With that call, Embiid’s season ends after playing only nineteen games, as he averaged 23.8 points and a little over eight rebounds. His worst numbers in the last five years. Soon after the news broke out, his former teammate Patrick Beverley expressed his concern with a tweet and wished him a speedy recovery, “Smart move. Get well big fella come back stronger damn.”

As of now, the timeline for Joel’s return remains uncertain, as the Sixers said in a statement, “We are working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan. The team and specialists will continue working with Joel to ensure the best path forward for his long-term health and performance.” But while Pat Bev was optimistic about the superstar’s recovery, not everyone shared a similar sentiment.

NBA World urges Joel Embiid to “Retire” as Shutdown news puts Sixers’ season in jeopardy

Similar to Beverley, several other fans wished Joel the best during this difficult time, with comments like “Tough loss for Philly! Wishing Embiid a strong comeback!” and “Prayers man.” Of course, no one wants to see a player get sidelined with major injury.

However, there was also a section of frustrated fans who continued their criticism for Embiid following the devastating news. One netizen wrote, “Made of glass, so overrated.” Yes, this is not the first time Embiid’s season has been shortened by injury. In fact, he has never touched the seventy-game mark in his entire career. That’s why many fans have lost faith in him, and even disregard his MVP win from two years ago. Another disappointed fan even urged Joel to “Retire already.”

At this point, the idea of Embiid playing a full season feels like a distant dream. And with his latest setback, some fans are fed up, calling for him to retire rather than keep giving false hope to the Sixers fanbase. As for Philly’s future? Yeah, it’s looking bleak. One fan summed it up perfectly: “Damn they are cooked now.”

Sitting 12th in the East, the Sixers were already struggling, and with their best player shut down, a playoff push feels out of reach. So, does Embiid’s season ending mean the same for Philly’s? It sure feels that way. What’s your take?