Embiid shut down ‘indefinitely’ with swollen left knee
As recently as Friday, 76ers president Bryan Colangelo was convinced that Joel Embiid had a minor meniscus tear that would not require surgery.
By Monday, the Sixers were reporting “swelling and soreness” in Embiid’s left knee and were shutting him down “indefinitely.”
An MRI, scheduled for Monday, was to provide the Sixers with additional information.
Embiid was originally injured in a Jan. 20 victory over visiting Portland. Initially, the Sixers reported a bruised left knee. Embiid volunteered that it had been “hyperextended.” Later, the situation was termed a “bone bruise”, which typically means that it carries a more likely possibility of a fracture, should it be left unattended. Finally, Colangelo acknowledged that Embiid also had a slightly torn meniscus.
Through Friday, Colangelo accurately insisted that NBA players often play through meniscus tears. Tears, though, do not heal without surgery, even if minor. So at his post-trade-deadline
update Friday, Colangelo was asked again if Embiid would require such attention.
“I’ve been told that it’s not the cause of any symptoms that he is having or that are ongoing,” Colangelo said Friday. “But I was told again that it was a non-acute injury, that it was a minor tear, and that it is not related. But I don’t rule anything out with injuries. It could be that it is not acting up now but could act up at a later date.
“We’ve said often that a lot of players in the league are playing with similar conditions or worse and are asymptomatic or maybe not even aware of it. So that’s where we are.”
The Sixers said that Embiid’s regression came, “following training progression in recent days.” He was not scheduled to play Monday against the visiting Golden State Warriors or Wednesday in Miami. Last week, the Sixers had suggested a possible return Friday, when the New York Knicks will visit. Instead, there will be an indefinite absence.
Since being selected No. 3 overall in the 2014 draft, Embiid has played in a total of 31 games, none without a minutes restriction. He missed his first two full NBA seasons with foot injuries. *** Already declared out for the season with a foot injury, Ben Simmons Monday underwent a procedure to advance his recovery.
Said the Sixers, in a statement: “This morning Simmons underwent a minor procedure during which bone marrow was injected into the affected fracture site in order to stimulate bone growth and accelerate healing. He is likely to resume normal training by the end of the week.”
The No. 1 overall pick in the last draft has not played this season after being injured early in training camp. *** Jerryd Bayless, who has been limited to three games this season due to a wrist injury, is scheduled to have a cast removed next week.
Bayless had surgery three months ago, and the targeted area had been immobilized. The Sixers said the point guard “will begin targeted wrist therapy and rehabilitation.”
*** NOTES >> Tiago Splitter, out all season with a hip injury that has affected both his knee and calf, is receiving treatment on his calf and is out “indefinitely”, the Sixers said. Splitter was recently acquired in the trade that sent Ersan Ilyasova to Atlanta and has said he would like to play before the end of the season . ... The Sixers announced they have waived center Andrew Bogut, who was acquired as part of the trade with Dallas Feb. 23.