Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid cast doubt on whether he’ll be able to play in this weekend’s All-Star Game, saying he hasn’t “been healthy for the past three weeks, or month.”
Embiid made the comments late Wednesday night after the 76ers’ 118-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, during which Embiid became the fastest player in team history to score 10,000 points.
Embiid scored a team-high 29 points but was listed as questionable with left foot soreness heading into the game. It’s the same designation Embiid has carried the past several games.
“I’m not healthy,” Embiid said. “I haven’t been healthy for the past three weeks, or month. I was just trying to get to the All-Star break without missing games and stuff. But I feel like I’ve reached the point where I need to follow the doctor’s advice. … Back then he said I should have been sitting for two weeks, so we’ll see how the next few days go, and go from there.”
Embiid played 39 minutes against the Cavs, adding 14 rebounds, five assists and two steals.
He’s averaging 33.1 points per game on the season, second in the NBA behind Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic (33.3). Embiid has missed 12 games this season.
Embiid also downplayed any motivation of being an injury starter replacement for Kevin Durant in Sunday’s event.
“Like I said, the focus is on winning, especially getting ready for the second half of the season and the playoffs,” he said. “I’m focused on winning a championship. If that helps me get there healthy, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
–Field Level Media
