Joel Embiid gave Philadelphia 76ers fans another scare on Tuesday in their game against the Brooklyn Nets. The former NBA MVP left the game in the third quarter with a right knee injury but returned shortly after.
Embiid, however, was not able to lead Philadelphia to victory. The seven-time All-Star finished with a team-high 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting, to go along with six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one triple in 31 minutes of action. It still wasn’t enough as the Sixers fell to the Nets, 114-106.
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This marked the end of Philly’s two-game winning streak, as they dropped to 16-12 after Tuesday’s loss.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during an NBA game. © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Injuries have been an issue for Embiid yet again this season. The 7-foot center has dealt with multiple injuries already, limiting him to just 12 games in 2025-26. Entering Tuesday’s matchup against the Nets, the 31-year-old had averaged 20.5 points on 42.1% shooting, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers in 26.2 minutes per contest.
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The good news for Embiid and the Sixers is that the two-time NBA scoring champion appears to have dodged an injury on Tuesday. Embiid spoke to reporters after the game to provide a health update, and he did not seem overly concerned about the knee issue.
According to Sixers beat writer Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice, Embiid described his injury as a hyperextension of his right knee. He emphasized, however, that he was good enough to return to the game.
This is a positive update on the oft-injured center. Then again, given his long history of injuries and how the Sixers have handled the same, Embiid’s status for their next game will still be worth monitoring.
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Embiid and Co. get a couple of days off for the Christmas break. They will be back in action on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, the first of an upcoming five-game road stand that extends into January.
Related: 76ers Share Tyrese Maxey Injury Update Amid Joel Embiid News
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.