Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid’s health remains the biggest worry for the Philadelphia 76ers. Multiple knee surgeries, meniscus tears, and foot injuries limited the center to just 96 regular-season games over the last three years. 

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Last season, an oblique strain and an emergency appendectomy on April 9 cut his year to 38 games. This followed a heavily interrupted 2024-25 campaign where severe knee instability restricted him to a career-low 19 appearances.

When the 76ers posted photos of a slimmer Embiid practicing with rookie VJ Edgecombe, fans quickly noticed a troubling detail. NBC Sports’ John Clark, who shared the image sent out by the 76ers themselves, noted that Embiid has shed some pounds this summer and called it «very promising.» 

Embiid looks to be in great shape 👀

(via @JClarkNBCS, h/t @Fullcourtpass) pic.twitter.com/RaB9WTZoZj

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 6, 2026

But close-up views of the image showed his left knee appearing noticeably larger and more swollen. That left knee is the root of almost all his physical trouble. It is the same leg that suffered a torn meniscus back when Jonathan Kuminga fell on it during a game against the Warriors. 

While swelling and scar tissue are completely normal after multiple surgeries, the absurd visual brought back fan anxiety about whether his joints can survive another grueling basketball season. 

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One fan wrote, «I don’t think so. I mean look at these knees.»

Another added, «Great? Look at size difference in his knees there gone.»

A third fan penned, «Left leg looks crazy big compared to his right leg no??»

A fourth observed, «Dude looks kinda sickly and has one swole knee and one skinny one, meaning he’ll be overcompensating balance and strength on one side.»

A fifth simply claimed, «That left knee is cooked. Swollen af.»

And a sixth viewer noted, «Great, now let’s see him play more than 40 regular season games.»

A workout photo cannot provide a real medical update or prove how Embiid’s body will handle a grueling NBA schedule. With LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey now in Philadelphia, the 76ers have a genuine chance to win a championship. 

However, that success also depends entirely on their franchise center staying healthy for 65-plus games. That is a question no summer workout photo can answer.

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