Joel Embiid's Sixers Return Hopes Take Another Hit as Right Knee Injury Forces Him to Miss Wednesday Night
The Philadelphia 76ers' chances of escaping a recent downturn without their star big man Joel Embiid have been dealt another blow. After initially listing him as doubtful, the team has now downgraded Embiid from that status to out for Wednesday night's highly anticipated matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
This latest development marks the seventh missed game by Embiid this season, with his last appearance coming on November 8 when the Raptors visited Philadelphia. Prior to his injury, Embiid had recorded a season-high in points and minutes in what was arguably his best performance of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, at the morning shootaround following his return from a two-game absence for left knee soreness, Embiid revealed that he was experiencing discomfort in his right knee. This new injury designation has led to another missed game and potentially sets back his return timeline even further.
Typically, being listed as doubtful would be seen as a positive indicator for a player's chances of returning soon. However, the latest update leaves Embiid's status uncertain, with the earliest he could return now set at Thursday night when the Sixers face off against the Bucks in Milwaukee. The absence of Embiid marks yet another missed opportunity for the 76ers to gain ground on their Eastern Conference rivals.
The loss of Embiid not only impacts the team's offense but also raises questions about the team's depth and resilience without its star player. As the 76ers look to bounce back from this setback, they'll need to find a way to overcome the absence of their most crucial piece while navigating the challenging stretch ahead.
The Philadelphia 76ers' chances of escaping a recent downturn without their star big man Joel Embiid have been dealt another blow. After initially listing him as doubtful, the team has now downgraded Embiid from that status to out for Wednesday night's highly anticipated matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
This latest development marks the seventh missed game by Embiid this season, with his last appearance coming on November 8 when the Raptors visited Philadelphia. Prior to his injury, Embiid had recorded a season-high in points and minutes in what was arguably his best performance of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, at the morning shootaround following his return from a two-game absence for left knee soreness, Embiid revealed that he was experiencing discomfort in his right knee. This new injury designation has led to another missed game and potentially sets back his return timeline even further.
Typically, being listed as doubtful would be seen as a positive indicator for a player's chances of returning soon. However, the latest update leaves Embiid's status uncertain, with the earliest he could return now set at Thursday night when the Sixers face off against the Bucks in Milwaukee. The absence of Embiid marks yet another missed opportunity for the 76ers to gain ground on their Eastern Conference rivals.
The loss of Embiid not only impacts the team's offense but also raises questions about the team's depth and resilience without its star player. As the 76ers look to bounce back from this setback, they'll need to find a way to overcome the absence of their most crucial piece while navigating the challenging stretch ahead.
i mean embiid is like the heartbeat of that team his absences are always felt but at the same time it's hard not to feel bad for him 
he was on fire before the injury and now with this new one... i dont know man 
[www.nba.com](http://www.nba.com)
This news is like a mirror reflecting our own mortality isn't it? We put so much stock in these athletes and their bodies, only to have them let us down in ways we can't even begin to comprehend. It's like they're reminding us that even the strongest among us are not immune to the fragility of life 
️. But what does it say about us as fans that we're so invested in their wins and losses? Is it just our desire to be entertained or is there something deeper at play here? 
this season isn't going as planned for the Sixers, they really need Embiid to be healthy ASAP 
. and now, with the bucks coming up next, they'll have to find a way to win without their star big man 
. fingers crossed he comes back healthy soon 
this is like the 7th time Embiid is missing games due to injury and it's getting super frustrating 
but at the same time I know he gotta prioritize his health 
and it was so beautiful! The sun was setting over the trees and it looked like something out of a movie 
. I'm pretty sure I saw a deer or a squirrel or something, but it totally disappeared when I tried to take a picture 
. Anyway, back to Joel Embiid... I feel bad for the guy, right knee injuries are no joke 
. Can you imagine having to deal with that kind of pain? Maybe he should just focus on rest and recovery instead of trying to rush back into the game? 
he was having an awesome season so far and now this is gonna set him back even more 
it's like, the 76ers are already struggling without him, can't lose another big guy like that 
anyway, gotta give credit to the Sixers for trying to make the most of it, but it's tough when your star player is out 
they need to find some way to keep their momentum going without Embiid leading the charge 
and then he's out for another 2-3 games 
. and now he's gotta deal with a new right knee injury? 
. i mean, what's the team gonna do? 
️. I mean, it's one thing to have him deal with left knee soreness and take some time to recover, but this new right knee issue has got everyone on edge 
.
. They need a miracle for this season to turn around. I'm not buying the "we'll get him back soon" narrative, they always say that but he never comes back on time 
. The Bucks game is gonna be a huge test for them without Embiid and if they lose that one... forget about making the playoffs 
. I feel bad for the fans who were counting on him to lead them to victory. The 76ers need a solid game plan without Embiid or it'll be tough to catch up with those Eastern Conference rivals 
.
. like, i know injuries happen but it feels like the universe is conspiring against him 
. the 76ers need him ASAP or else they're gonna get left behind in the standings 
. i hope he's okay and recovers quickly because we all love seeing Embiid dominate on the court 
. I get it, injuries happen, but can't they just try to be more proactive about his recovery? This team needs him back ASAP or else they'll get left behind in the East 