Joel Embiid reflects on getting back to what he loves after injuries

It's been a rough stretch for Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, who has had each of his last two seasons limited due largely to a lingering left knee injury. 

The seven-time All-Star's career has been plagued by injuries, and after winning MVP in the 2022-23 campaign, he's played in only 58 regular-season games. Over the past two years, Embiid has undergone two surgeries on his left knee, though he now appears to be trending in the right direction. 

Following his latest procedure, an arthroscopic knee surgery in April, Embiid returned to the court for Friday's 126-110 preseason win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He notched 14 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals in 19 minutes during the preseason finale, bringing some hope to Sixers fans after a 13th-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season. 

MORE: 76ers' Joel Embiid responds to critics who say he's not a top-100 player

Joel Embiid in a ‘good space’ ahead of 2025-26 season

While Embiid's injury concerns aren't entirely past him just yet, the 31-year-old is getting back to doing what he loves. He's ready to put the past behind him and is ‘in a good space’ with the regular season approaching, according to PHLY Sports. 

“I don't wanna just think about the past. I'm just in a good space mentally, physically, and I'm just happy to touch a basketball, be able to play basketball and do what I love. When you don't get that it's tough," Embiid said. "That's what I'm most happy about, so today, tonight, that's all I kept thinking about. I'm on the court playing basketball, doing some good things, helping us win, and that's really what I was focused on.”

The 76ers are aiming to rebound from an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign in which they finished with their worst record since 2015-16. With rookie V.J. Edgecombe in the mix, alongside Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Jared McCain, Philadelphia is trending upward. 

The Sixers have yet to advance past the conference semifinals during Embiid's tenure, though a relatively healthy squad may be enough to help them make significant noise in a wide-open East. 

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