What Happened to Joel Embiid? Reigning MVP’s Worrying Health Raises Concern vs Magic

The Philadelphia 76ers have been unstoppable since Joel Embiid’s return from injury. They have won 6 straight games and are fighting hard to get out of the play-in spot into the Top 6 seed. The Sixers are currently seeded 7th in the Eastern Conference and one win shy of matching Indiana’s record. Joel Embiid and Co. are looking to extend their winning streak tonight as they are in a heated battle against the Orlando Magic. But their winning streak could be in jeopardy as Embiid headed to the locker room after suffering a horrific injury scare in the first half.

During the closing minutes of the first half, Embiid drove to the basket for an easy layup. Although he finished the layup, he landed awkwardly after Euro-stepping through the Magic defense. The reigning MVP immediately started limping as he dealt with pain in his surgically repaired left knee. Embiid left the game and headed straight to the locker room to get his injury assessed. Fortunately, he returned from the tunnel after some time and started warming up his knee by the bench. But the injury scare raised massive concerns for the Sixers.

He tweaked the same knee tonight that caused him to miss 29 consecutive games earlier this season. He tore the meniscus in his left knee during a game against the Warriors in January. Embiid underwent surgery to repair the tear and went through intense rehab to return before the playoffs. Another injury scare in his left knee is the last thing the Sixers want to see so close to the playoffs. If Embiid misses more time due to the injury, that could be the end of Philly’s Championship dreams.

Joel Embiid dominates following massive injury scare

Although Embiid scared everyone in the first half by reaggravating his knee injury, he returned to the floor in the second half to finish the game. The good sign was that Embiid’s knee did not seem to bother him as he dominated the Magic defense and led the Sixers to a 125-113 victory. The reigning MVP finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. Embiid’s dominant performance helped the Sixers extend their winning streak to 7 games and get them one step closer to the 6th seed.

After the Sixers announced Embiid’s early return from injury, many believed it would take him some time to regain his MVP form. But Embiid continued right where he left off and shocked everyone. Since returning from injury, Embiid has put up three 30+ point games and averaged 30.4 points per game. That is not far off his season average of 34.8 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.

Despite the Sixers being the 7th seed, they can be the dark horse in the playoffs. With Embiid back in the lineup, the Sixers are a far better team than their record suggests. They have a legitimate shot at winning the Championship this season. But for that, they will need Joel Embiid healthy for the rest of the season.

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