Joel Embiid Sixers Now In Lockstep After Initially Having Differing Views On Approach To Knee

Joel Embiid was ruled out for the remainder of the season on Friday after a lengthy process where there were differences between his position and that of the Philadelphia 76ers. Embiid reportedly went directly to ownership to get his message across, but now the Sixers are now on the same page with their franchise player.

“This all came to a head over the last couple of weeks,” said Shams Charania. “Specifically, what I’m told, Joel Embiid went directly to 76ers’ owner Josh Harris about the state of his knee. And about where the realization he’s at with what’s the best interest for him and the organization as far as a potential shutdown. 

“The backdrop to all this is that over the last month we’ve seen fundamental differences between Joel Embiid and the 76ers as far as Embiid believing that he needs a different treatment approach for this versus the 76ers feeling you play on it, get in better condition, and you can continue on this year. This has been a situation the 76ers have been dealing with all season. And they managed the swelling in multiple different ways, including injections monthly just to get him on the court.

“But here they are in lockstep. This is all about getting Joel Embiid back on the court in the best, sustainable way. And they are in lockstep about that.”