He returned with seven games left in the regular season and missed two because of load management. The injury limited him during the Sixers’ first-round series loss to the New York Knicks and while helping Team USA win a gold medal in that summer’s Paris Olympics. While he had shown some glimpses of his former self, this season has been a struggle.

Joel Embiid has had two surgeries on his troublesome left knee. It's swelling again -- and no one knows why. What he does next could determine the future of the 2023 NBA MVP.

Joel Embiid is done for the season, at last shut down following the lingering effects of knee surgery. The final answer on the perpetual will-he or won’t-he play tonight question that canvassed the 76ers’ season came Friday when the Sixers said Embiid was “medically unable to play” and will focus on treatment and rehabilitation of his left knee.