“Never play back-to-backs!” – Former MVP Joel Embiid’s injury record leads to unwanted career decision

Joel Embiid and his poor injury history has led to him making a decision to make himself available during more important games.

“Never play back-to-backs!” – Former MVP Joel Embiid’s injury record leads to unwanted career decision

Joel Embiid makes a decision to improve his health record

As the new NBA season approaches, the Philadelphia 76ers are back in the NBA title conversation after making efforts to improve their roster. However, fans and critics are still skeptical due to concerns over star center, Joel Embiid’s durability.

Joel Embiid hasn’t found much luck in terms of fitness due to his long history of injuries, including a knee injury that sidelined him for the final two months of last season. And according to a report by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, ‘The Process’ made a bold claim where he took a decision that could help preserve his health for the playoffs.

It’s just the evolution of your body, and getting older and finding ways to stay afloat and be as dominant as I’ve always been. If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career.”

Joel Embiid said (via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps)

Despite his injury struggles, Embiid hasn’t failed to deliver dominant performances. In the 2023-24 season, though he missed 43 games, he still averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, which surpassed his MVP numbers from the previous year. He returned late in the regular season to lead Philadelphia into the playoffs, though the team faced a tough challenge against the New York Knicks in the first round.

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Although the Sixers ultimately lost the series, Embiid made a strong impact, which included a 50-point performance in Game 3. And even after the Sixers’ early playoff exit, he continued to prove his resilience as he played through Bell’s palsy and later won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics.

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Joel Embiid’s new normal revealed by ESPN’s NBA insider

Due to Joel Embiid’s poor injury record, the 76ers are not a dangerous threat like the New York Knicks are to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference, despite the Sixers impressive trade that brought in Paul George.

As announced, Joel Embiid is currently sidelined for the preseason due to knee management. And according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, his reduced playing time now reflects a new normal for the former MVP.

What we’re seeing with Joel Embiid, it’s part of the new normal that we’re going to see with Joel Embiid. I’m told it’s gonna include periodic time off for him during the course of the season; it’s gonna include regular[ly] scheduled checkups for Joel Embiid throughout the course of the season.

Shams Charania concerning Joel Embiid

Although the league will be much better off with Embiid competing against the Joker for the MVP title, he is no longer focused on individual awards or meeting the 65-game requirement for All-NBA selection.

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Thus, Philadelphia’s main goal is to have Embiid healthy for the playoffs, where he has often been hampered by injuries.