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[Saba Sports News] Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid made a brutally honest admission about his recent play following Thursday’s 124-104 loss to the Boston Celtics.
Held to just 15 points on 3-of-9 shooting, Embiid continued a stretch of lackluster performances. After the game, the former MVP acknowledged that he doesn’t feel physically capable of playing at his usual level—and isn’t confident that will change anytime soon.
“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now,” Embiid shared. “It sucks. … I probably need to fix the problem, and then I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have trust when you’re not yourself.”
Last season, Embiid averaged 34.7 points per game, but that number has dipped to 24.3 this year. He has played just 18 games, and the struggling 76ers are at serious risk of missing the playoffs.
The 2023 MVP hasn’t looked like himself and has made some uncharacteristic mistakes in recent games. A primary issue appears to be his left knee, which will likely require another surgery. Embiid is attempting to push through until the end of the season, but the question remains: Would it be better for him and the team if he shut things down early to undergo the procedure?
The Sixers, now 20-35, still have a shot at the Play-In Tournament, but their prospects look bleak—even if they make it.
