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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers on the court against the LA Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome on February 02, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers have struggled to keep superstar center Joel Embiid healthy. His injury problems date back to his time at Kansas. When he was there, he had knee and back issues that made him fall to the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Embiid has struggled to keep his knees healthy over the course of his NBA career. He has missed almost as many games as he has played thus far. Yet, Embiid proved that he is one of the best players in the NBA when he is able to stay healthy. That was proven when he won MVP in 2023.

However, Embiid has struggled to stay healthy during the playoffs, when the games mean the most. Embiid recently gave a heartbreaking message about his MVP award compared to his ability to stay healthy in the postseason.

GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid dribbles the ball. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

76ers Star Joel Embiid Says He’d Give up His MVP for Postseason Success

While speaking on the Kevin O’Connor Show, shooting skills coach Drew Hanlen mentioned that Embiid would trade his MVP for a healthy postseason run.

“I would trade my MVP for one healthy postseason run because I think that if I’m healthy, I’m dominant enough that I would carry us to win a championship,” Embiid said. He has struggled to keep his knees healthy enough to give the Sixers a real shot at contending for a championship.

This season, the 76ers sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. Embiid is no longer the best player on the team. Tyrese Maxey has taken that title from him, while V.J. Edgecombe has given them a dynamic shooting guard to pair with Maxey. Embiid can still be effective in spurts.

Embiid has played in just 31 games so far this year. He is trying to save his health for the postseason. So far in his NBA career, Embiid has played in 59 playoff games. He has logged some big minutes in those games, but he hasn’t been fully healthy in most of those games.

GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid shoots the ball. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers Need to Have a Healthy Joel Embiid to Compete for a Title

The 76ers understand that they need Embiid to be fully healthy in the playoffs if they want to compete for a title. He needs to be able to not just score for the team, but also be an elite rim protector down low. That has been missing so far in his postseason career.

Philly has the 13th-best offense in the league. That is also with Maxey, Embiid, and Paul George hardly playing on the court at the same time. George is more of a role player at this stage of his career, but Embiid still has the ability to be the best player on the floor.

Embiid wants to win more than anything else. He will do everything he can to make sure he’s healthy during the most important time of the year.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano

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