Joel Embiid’s knee injury continues to hinder his performance, as the Philadelphia 76ers’ star shared his frustration with reporters following a tough loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday. Embiid admitted that his current play doesn’t match the level he reached last season.
“The way I was playing a year ago, it’s not the way I’m playing right now. It sucks,” Embiid said, via Derek Bodner, referencing his knee issues. “I believe I probably need to fix the problem and then I’ll be back at that level, but it’s hard to have trust when you’re not yourself.”
The 30-year-old big man has been limited to just 17 games this season, averaging 24.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. While those numbers remain strong, they fall short of his usual dominance, especially given the health struggles he’s been enduring.
The 76ers faced off against the Celtics in a game that ended with a 124-104 victory for Boston. Payton Pritchard led the charge for the Celtics, scoring 28 points, including eight three-pointers. Boston’s Jayson Tatum notched a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Jaylen Brown added 20 points.
Philadelphia, on the other hand, has struggled in recent games, and Thursday’s contest was no exception. Despite the return of Embiid, the 76ers have now lost six consecutive games. They’re currently 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 20-35 record, and Embiid’s injury has clearly affected the team’s performance.
Embiid’s shooting woes were evident in the game, as he finished with just 15 points on 3-of-9 shooting. This subpar performance came in just 27 minutes of play, as he continues to work through the lingering knee injury.
“It’s tough. You know you can do so much more,” Embiid added, further expressing his frustrations.
The Celtics dominated in nearly every facet of the game. They shot 44.4% from three-point range and won the rebounding battle 49-44. The 76ers struggled to keep up with Boston’s firepower, and their offensive difficulties were compounded by Embiid’s limited contributions.
The loss against Boston highlights the significant gap between the two teams, with the Celtics improving to 40-16, while the 76ers’ struggles continue.
With the playoffs on the horizon, Embiid’s knee injury could remain a major storyline for the 76ers, who are desperately looking for a solution to their recent slide.
