76ers to hold Embiid out for rest of preseason due to knee management

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid won't play in the team's final three preseason games in order to manage his left knee injury, the team announced, courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer's Gina Mizell.

The decision means the former MVP will miss all six of the club's exhibition contests.

Embiid has yet to participate in five-on-five scrimmages in 76ers practices, Mizell reports. However, he's "progressing well and will continue to take part in an individual treatment plan designed to best support his health and wellness for the 2024-25 season."

The seven-time All-Star missed all of February and March this year - a total of 29 games - after sustaining a meniscus injury in his left knee. He underwent surgery to address the issue, but the team didn't specify details of the procedure or the extent of damage to his meniscus. He returned in time for the 76ers' first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks. Despite Embiid averaging 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists with a 50-point performance in Game 3, the 76ers were eliminated in six games.

As a result of his lengthy injury absence, Embiid failed to meet the minimum requirement of 65 games to be considered for end-of-season awards, including MVP, for which he appeared to be in early contention.

Over the summer, the 7-footer chose to represent the United States at the Olympics in Paris, helping the Americans capture their fifth straight gold medal in men's basketball. He didn't play in their group-stage matchup against South Sudan but started in all five other games, averaging 11.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while going 6-of-11 on threes throughout the tournament.

Philadelphia faces the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, before wrapping up its preseason against the Orlando Magic on Friday. The 76ers' regular season tips off at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 23.