Jan. 15, 2026, 7:03 a.m. ET
PHILADELPHIA — The health of Joel Embiid has always been a big talking point when it comes to the Philadelphia 76ers. The 2023 MVP winner has had the worst luck in that department as he was limited to just 39 games in the 2023-24 season and the only 19 in 2024-25.
He has now played 21 games in 2025-26 and has shown signs that he is back to his usual self. He had 20 points in Wednesday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and even had a moment when he dove into the crowd after a loose ball to try and ignite the Sixers.
That has to be a sign that the big fella is OK and beginning to trust his body more.
“I may be stupid, but at that time, you know, I felt like we needed it,” Embiid said of his dive into the crowd. “I mean, I just didn’t dive just because I wanted to show off. I felt like I had a chance to sit the ball, and I did in that moment, being down in that moment, kind of every possession mattered. But we should not put ourselves in that position in the first place.”
Embiid is right about the Sixers shouldn’t have put themselves in that position. They were down 33-18 after the first quarter and could only shave two points off that deficit going into the half. The Cavaliers then pushed the lead to 30 as Donovan Mitchell got going for Cleveland.
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With that being said, a positive for the Sixers in this one is that Embiid continues to work his way back into a rhythm. He continues to look like himself and that is going to be a key development for Philadelphia.
“I’m getting better,” he said. “I still feel like I’m not close to where I want to be yet, but it’s a progress every single day. I feel pretty good. So, just got to keep putting the work in and get there.”
Embiid and the Sixers will take on the Cavs again in a rematch on Friday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.