- Embiid has hardly played this season due to injuries
Joel Embiid sparked injury concerns again on Christmas Day when he took a huge fall before facing the Celtics in Boston.
The Sixers center, playing in just his ninth game of the season Wednesday night, was seen taking a step-back jumper during warmups when he fell backward into a safety rope running along the sideline.
Embiid fell to the ground and could be seen holding his ankle before being helped by teammates.
Fans questioned why the rope was so close to the field, and Embiid was missing from the field several minutes before the game, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
Nevertheless, the seven-time All-Star eventually returned to the floor and was able to start the game for the Sixers.
It’s been an injury-riddled season for Embiid, who missed the entire preseason with what the team deemed “left knee injury management.”
Joel Embiid fell into a rope near the field as he tried to jump back a step
Embiid was seen holding his ankle after the freak fall but was able to start the game for Philly
Embiid will only play his ninth game of the 2024-25 season due to injuries
He missed the first nine games of the season before making his debut, and also missed seven games in a row from late November to early December to manage swelling in his left knee.
And that wouldn’t end Embiid’s injury problems, as he suffered a sinus fracture on December 13 after a collision with Markelle Fultz.
He returned to court a week later wearing a protective face mask, which he also wore on Christmas Day.
Injuries aside, it’s been a tumultuous season for Embiid, who was also suspended three games in November for pushing a reporter.
Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer had mentioned Embiid’s late brother, Arthur, in a column about the center’s lack of availability for his team.
Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a regular season for the Sixers; last year he played only 39.
The 30-year-old also shouted at a referee this week before being sent off.