Oh, Great: Joel Embiid is OUT for at least another 7-10 days due to swelling in left knee

The Philadelphia 76ers’ injury updates are like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded—impossible to figure out and downright maddening. Joel Embiid’s latest setback, with knee swelling now sidelining him for another 7-10 days.

Joel Embiid out an additional 7-10 days with swelling in his left knee

Joel Embiid is out an additional 7-10 days because of swelling in his left knee, the Sixers announced today. pic.twitter.com/iocggqw1bg

— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) January 17, 2025

Can’t say I’m surprised. This is just the latest chapter in what feels like a never-ending saga of confusion and poor communication from this front office. Seriously, why is it so hard for this organization to be upfront with fans and media about injuries?

The Philadelphia 76ers’ handling of Joel Embiid and injuries, in general, has become a masterclass in confusion and frustration

Christmas Day…

Let’s rewind for a second. On Christmas Day, Joel Embiid, who clearly has the worst luck maybe in human history, fell over while taking shots in warmups. That’s when he hurt his left foot.

So what do the Sixers do? They trot him out there for four straight games, only to sideline him afterward with a reported foot sprain.

Now, on January 17th, we find out he’s dealing with knee swelling on top of it. Are these issues connected? Did one injury aggravate the other?

Who knows! The Sixers certainly aren’t telling us.

This isn’t the first time fans and media have been left in the dark, either. Remember Ben Simmons’ back injury in 2020? Or Markelle Fultz’s shoulder saga, where we all learned more about thoracic outlet syndrome than we ever wanted to know?

Time and again, the Sixers have bungled communication around injuries, leaving fans to rely on speculation instead of facts.

A Pattern of Misinformation

What’s most infuriating is the pattern.

The Sixers routinely treat injuries like state secrets. Embiid tweaks something? Cue the vague press release. “Day-to-day” might as well mean “month-to-month.”

And when updates do come, they’re often contradictory or lack clarity. How does a foot injury magically heal in time for Embiid to play four games, only for him to be sidelined again, and then—surprise!—he has knee swelling that’s going to keep him out even longer?

The lack of transparency isn’t just frustrating; it’s detrimental.

Fans are left feeling disrespected, and it creates unnecessary tension between the organization and its supporters.

When the Sixers finally release information, it’s often too late to feel meaningful, and it undermines trust in the front office.

Accountability Starts at the Top

At this point, you have to wonder if there’s anyone in the organization who understands how to handle injury communication. Is it the medical staff? The PR team? The front office? Daryl Morey? Anyone? Josh Harris is too busy with the Washington Commanders and it feels like there’s no one else stepping up to actually handle things for the 76ers.

Someone has to be held accountable for this endless cycle of misinformation and mixed signals. It’s not just Embiid, either—Jared McCain’s torn meniscus was announced with all the fanfare of a bad weather report, and Paul George has publicly expressed his frustration with the team’s handling of his role.

Enough is Enough

Philadelphia is a sports town. Fans here can handle bad news—what they can’t handle is being lied to or left in the dark. If Embiid’s injuries are serious, just say so. If he’s going to miss extended time, let everyone know what’s going on. The constant drip of vague updates and nonsensical timelines does more harm than good.

The Sixers’ inability to communicate effectively about injuries has become a running joke, and it’s wearing thin. Embiid’s latest setback is another black mark on an organization that can’t seem to get out of its own way.

Until this front office learns how to be transparent and honest, they’ll continue to alienate a fanbase that just wants to believe in their team. Unbelievable, indeed.

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