Joel Embiid surgery, explained: What arthroscopic operation means for 76ers star's future in NBA

76ers star center Joel Embiid was ruled out for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season back in February. He has had an injury-plagued career, but is hopeful that he could have one more knee surgery to fix his issues. 

Embiid will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery next week, per ESPN's Shams Charania. He has been meeting with team officials in Philadelphia trying to determine the best path forward. The plan is for Embiid to be re-evaluated six weeks after the surgery to see how he is progressing.

The center is expected to make a full recovery, but we won't know when to expect him back until the later check-in following the surgery.

Here is more on Embiid's latest surgery and what it means for his NBA future. 

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Joel Embiid surgery, explained

Embiid suffered a foot sprain and had lingering knee issues during the season. As a result, he requires arthroscopic knee surgery in his left knee. 

He played in only 19 games, a career low. Embiid has dealt with knee injuries throughout his career. This will be the second surgery that the center has had on his left knee. There is still concern that the surgery could cause him to miss the entire 2025-2026 season, but there isn't enough information yet to determine his return timeline. 

Embiid will be re-evaluated in six weeks after surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, sources said. It will mark Embiid's second surgery on the left knee over the last 14 months. https://t.co/fv9Sgiojr0

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What is arthroscopic surgery?

This type of surgery on a knee "allows doctors to view the knee joint without making a large incision (cut) through the skin and other soft tissues," per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. During the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the knee, then uses a small camera to look around the knee joint. 

The doctors will not only be better able to diagnose what is ailing Embiid, but will hopefully be able to fix the issue using the arthroscopic camera and small incision. This could be the best case scenario for the center as the smaller incision tends to reduce recovery time. 

Joel Embiid recovery timeline

Currently, there is not enough information about his knee injury to know his recovery timeline.

Embiid is currently expected to play next season, but that is contingent upon the knee injury being diagnosed when the surgeons perform the arthroscopic surgery and that the doctors are able to fix it. The recovery timeline will also change based on how Embiid responds in his recovery and if he can avoid any setbacks.

Joel Embiid contract

The worst part about Embiid's latest ankle and knee injuries is that they occurred right after he signed an extension with the 76ers. Embiid signed a designated veteran extension that began in the 2023-2024 season, per Spotrac. The deal was for four years and $213,280,928 and was fully guaranteed. 

Ahead of the 2024 season, the 76ers center agreed to a three-year, veteran max extension that goes through the 2027-2028 season and has a player option for 2028-2029. It was a three-year, fully guaranteed $192,907,008 deal. If Embiid picked up his player option, he would next be a free agent ahead of the 2029-2030 season. This veteran max extension doesn't kick in until the 2026-2027 season.