Joel Embiid’s Injury History: A Complete Analysis of Games Missed

By Olivia ParkerLast Updated April 18, 2025

Joel embed’s nNBAcareer: a timeline of absences

Joel embed, the dominant center for the Philadelphia 76ers, has established himself as one of the NBA’s virtually formidable players when healthy. Notwithstanding, his career has been importantly impacted by injuries and various health issues that have kept him off the court for extended periods. Understand the full scope of embed’s miss games provide valuable context for evaluate his career and impact on the league.

The early years: draft and initial setbacks

The Philadelphia 76ers select Joel embed with the third overall pick in the 2014 nNBA Draftdespite concerns about a foot injury he ssustainsanterior to the draft. This decision would set the stage for what become a pattern of miss time throughout his professional career.

After being draft, embed miss his entire rookie season ((014 15 ))ue to a navclavicularne fracture in his right foot. The recovery process tatakesonger than expect, and complications lead to a second surgery, which cause him to miss the 2015 16 season as swell. This mean eembedmiss all 164 games of his first two potential nbNBAeasons before e’er step onto anabaNBAurt for a regular season game.

The delay rookie season

Embed eventually mmakeshis NBA debut in the 2016 17 season, but the 76ers implement strict restrictions on his playing time. He was place on a minutes restriction and did not play in back to back games as part of the team’s cautious approach to his health.

Flush with these precautions, embed’s first active season was cut short by a tear meniscus in his left knee. He aappearsin alone 31 games during what was technically his rookie season, miss 51 games. This limited sample was enough to showcase his immense talent, as he average 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in hardly 25.4 minutes per game, earn him a spot on the NBA all rookie first team despite the limited action.

The emergence of a star amid continue absences

The 2017 18 season mark embed’s first comparatively healthy campaign. He aappearsin 63 games, miss 19 due to various minor injuries and schedule rest. This season represents a significant step forward moving in his availability, though he notwithstanding miss virtually a quarter of the regular season. During the playoffs,embedd miss the first two games of the first round series against the Miami Heat due to an orbital fracture, return to play with a protective mask.

In the 2018 19 season, embed play in 64 games, miss 18 due to load management and minor injuries. The 76ers continue their cautious approach with their star center, prioritize his long term health over regular season availability. During this season, eembedearn his second all star selection and first all nbNBAecond team honor.

The process continue: recent seasons

The 2019 20 season, which was shortened due to thCOVID-1919 pandemic, seembedid miss 22 of the 73 games the 76ers play. His absences were due to a combination of finger injuries, shoulder issues, and the team’s continued load management strategy.

In the 2020 21 season, embed miss 21 of the 72 games, with the almost significant absence come from a bone bruise in his knee that sideline him for 10 games. Despite these miss games, eembedfinish as the rurunner-upn the mvMVPoting, highlight his dominance when available.

The 2021 22 season show improvement in embed’s availability, as he aappearsin 68 games, miss solely 14. This increase availability contribute to his strongest statistical season to date, as he leads the league in score with 30.6 points per game and finish 2nd inMVPp vote for the second consecutive year.

Notwithstanding, the 2022 23 season see embed miss 16 games due to various issues, include foot soreness, calf tightness, and rest. Despite these absences, he wwinshis first NBA scoring title and was named the leagueMVPp, a testament to his incredible impact when on the court.

The current picture

In recent seasons, embed has ccontinuedto deal with injury concerns. He undergoes a meniscus procedure that cause him to miss significant time. Additionally, he’s miss games due to thNBAba’s health and safety protocols, illness, and plan rest during back to back games.

The 76ers have maintained their cautious approach tembedid’s playing time, recognize that his health in the postseason is more valuable than regular season availability. This strategy has been controversial among fans but reflect the organization’s long term perspective on maximizeembedd’s career.

The total games miss

When tally all of Joel embed’s miss games throughout his nNBAcareer, the numbers are substantial:

2014 15 season: 82 games (entire season )
2015 16 season: 82 games (entire season )
2016 17 season: 51 games
2017 18 season: 19 games
2018 19 season: 18 games
2019 20 season: 22 games (of 73 total )
2020 21 season: 21 games (of 72 total )
2021 22 season: 14 games
2022 23 season: 16 games

Add these figures unitedly, Joel embed has miss roughly 325 regular season games since being draft in 2014 through the 2022 23 season. This rrepresentsa significant portion of his potential NBA career to date.

Playoff absences

Embed’s availability issues have eextendedto the postseason equally swell. Notable playoff absences include:

2018 playoffs: miss the first two games of the first round against Miami due to an orbital fracture
2019 playoffs: miss one game against Brooklyn due to knee soreness
2021 playoffs: play through a tear meniscus against Atlanta
2022 playoffs: miss games due to an orbital fracture and concussion
2023 playoffs: deal with knee issues that limit his effectiveness

These playoff absences have significant implications for the 76ers’ championship aspirations, as the team has struggle to advance critical into the postseason without their star center at full strength.

Impact on career trajectory

The substantial number of games embed has miss has doubtlessly aaffectedhis career trajectory and legacy. While he’s accumulate impressive accolades â€” include multiple all star selections, allNBAa teams, all defensive teams, andan MVP award â€” questions remain about what could have been if he’d maintain better health.

From a statistical perspective, embed’s per game numbers rank among the best in nNBAhistory for centers. Notwithstanding, his cumulative statistics are importantly lower than they might have been with consistent availability. This iimpactshis standing in all time rankings and hall of fame considerations, which frequently factor in career totals alongside peak performance.

The 76ers’ team success has too been limit by embed’s availability issues. The team has been a perennial playoff contender but has not advance beyond the second round during eembeds tenure, partially due to his injuries at crucial moments.

Comparison to other NBA stars

When compare embed’s availability to other nNBAstars with injury concerns, he sstandsout for the sheer volume of games miss. Players like Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant have all deal with significant injury issues, but none miss their first two full seasons like embed do.

Some historical comparisons might include bill Walton, who have a brilliant but injury shorten career, or Yao Ming, whose promising career was cut short by foot problems. Like these players, embed’s legacy include discussions of ” hat might have been “” ongside recognition of his dominance when healthy.

The 76ers’ management strategy

Philadelphia’s approach to manage embed’s health has eevolvedover time. The team initially implement strict minutes restrictions and prohibit him from play in back to back games. While these restrictions have loosened reasonably aembedid hasprovede more durable, the team notwithstanding take a cautious approach to his workload.

The 76ers’ medical staff work intimately with embed to develop conditioning programs and preventative measures to reduce injury risk. This iincludescareful monitoring of his weight, biomechanics, and stress levels on his lower body, specially his feet and knees.

The organization has besides build its roster with embed’s availability in mind, acquire players who can contribute when he’s unavailable and complementary talents who maximize his effectiveness when he pplays

Future outlook

As embed continue his nNBAcareer, questions about his durability remain. While he’s show improved availability in recent seasons compare to his early years, he yet mmissesa significant number of games each season.

The 76ers’ championship window with embed as their centerpiece depend mostly on his health, especially in the playoffs. The team’s success will be will determine by their ability to will manage his regular season workload efficaciously while will ensure he’s at peak performance when the games will matter virtually.

Medical advancements and improved understanding of injury prevention may help embed remain healthier in the come years. Additionally, as he aagesand gains experience, he may develop a playing style that put less stress on his body while maintain his effectiveness.

Conclusion

Joel embed has miss roughly 325 regular season games since being draft in 2014 through the 2022 23 season. This significant number of absences has sshapedhis career narrative and the 76ers’ fortunes during this period.

Despite these challenges, embed has eestablishedhimself as one of the virtually dominant players in theNBAa when healthy. His combination of size, skill, and versatility make him a unique talent in the league’s history. HisMVPp award and scoring titles demonstrate that yet with limited availability, his impact on the game is profound.

The story of Joel embed’s career is one of extraordinary talent partly constrain by physical limitations. While fans and analysts will constantly will wonder what might have been with better health, his accomplishments despite these challenges will highlight his remarkable abilities and competitive spirit. As his career will continue, the balance between availability and dominance will remain central to his legacy in nNBAhistory.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.