Two months ago, Joel Embiid faced serious doubts about his basketball future after multiple knee surgeries left him sidelined and uncertain if he could return to his dominant form. Now, back on the court with renewed vigor, Embiid has reestablished himself as a leading MVP contender in the NBA, demonstrating remarkable resilience and skill in recent games.
Challenging Road Through Injury and Recovery
Embiid’s journey to reclaiming his status has been grueling. After winning the MVP award in 2023, the Philadelphia 76erscenter endured two meniscus surgeries on his left knee within an 18-month span, limiting him to just 39 games in the 2024-25 season and 19 games the following year. At 31, whispers of retirement circulated, highlighting the precariousness of his career despite being in his prime.
“I was like, I don’t know if I could ever get back to that point,”
Embiid said in an exclusive interview with the California Post. But I’m back.
These setbacks took a physical and mental toll, with Embiid explaining the challenges he faced with critics labeling him lazy despite his dedication.
“It’s like when people say, he’s lazy, this and that. First of all, you can’t be lazy if you start playing basketball at 16 and then make it to the league in three years. And injuries and injuries, keep getting back up and being an Olympian and all the other stuff that I have accomplished. It’s been tough. But I’m always going to fight.”
Behind the Scenes: The Effort to Return Stronger
Embiid’s trainer, Drew Hanlen, shed light on the immense effort involved in the player’s recovery. According to Hanlen, fans and critics are unaware of the sacrifices Embiid made to help the 76ers compete for championships.
“We always joke that after his career is done, if Joel ever decides to tell his story, people are going to appreciate him 10-fold,”
Hanlen said.
Image of: Joel Embiid
“Just because of the amount of sacrifice that he’s truly made to try to help the 76ers win games and win championships.”
The key to Embiid’s resurgence lay not in any new medical procedure but in finding the right blend of load management, strength training, treatment, stretching, and nutrition, all guided by the 76ers’ medical team. Hanlen explained,
“It’s not like there’s some magic new surgery that wasn’t announced. That’s not true. He only had the ones that were announced. There was nothing magical. It was just a long process to build-up, and they finally found the right combination of load management, treatment and recovery plan.”
Physical Limits and Mental Challenges During Rehabilitation
Embiid’s struggle transcended physical pain; it was also a battle of adapting to a body that no longer responded as he intended. Hanlen recalled a moment when they reviewed game footage together, and Embiid candidly admitted,
“If it was just pain, I could play through pain. I just physically can’t do some of the things I want to do.”
After a torn meniscus in January 2024 that necessitated surgery in February, Embiid returned prematurely in April for the playoffs and the Olympics, winning a gold medal with Team USA. However, the early comeback only aggravated his condition, leading to persistent pain, swelling, and restricted movement, which resulted in a second surgery the following April.
During recovery, Embiid distanced himself from regular workouts with Hanlen for 15 months, relying instead on phone sessions to study game footage. His return to the court this season was considered an experimental phase, uncertain of how his body would hold up.
“He started the season playing very rough and a lot of people looked at him like, oh, he’s washed,”
Hanlen admitted, capturing the skepticism Embiid faced amidst his comeback effort.
Reclaiming Confidence and Shutting Down Critics
For a fiercely competitive player like Embiid, the public doubting his ability was disheartening. He had become a frequent target for pundits and fans questioning his longevity. Nevertheless, he persevered, focusing inward on both physical and mental healing.
“Just focusing on myself, physically and mentally,”
Embiid said.
“Obviously, I’ve talked about therapy in the past, just learning from it. I’m at the point where I’m only focused on myself, my family, I don’t need any validation from anybody else. Just trust in God. Believing that whatever’s supposed to happen is going to happen anyway. So if it’s good, good. If it’s bad, get back up and keep on walking.”
The results of this newfound focus are evident. Over the last 20 games, Embiid has averaged 29.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, with standout performances like 37 points against Sacramento and 40 points with 11 rebounds against New Orleans, reviving his reputation as a generational talent.
Recognition from Analysts and Impact on the 76ers
Even some of Embiid’s harshest critics have revised their opinions. ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins expressed his surprise, stating,
“I’d like to issue an apology to Daryl Morey and Joel Embiid because I didn’t expect this,”
adding,
“If you’d ask me this two months ago, I thought Joel Embiid was on the verge of retirement. And now, all of a sudden, he’s come back to looking like an All-NBA caliber player.”
With the 76ers positioned fifth in the Eastern Conference at 29-21, Embiid’s restored presence is crucial, especially after Paul George’s 25-game suspension beginning January 31 for breaching the league’s anti-drug policy.
Future Outlook and Embiid’s Determined Mindset
Embiid views this season as just a step toward full recovery.
“I’ll keep building on this year and keep on getting better,”
he said.
“But probably starting next year, I think I’m going to be fully back to myself.”
Doc Rivers, head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and Embiid’s coach from 2020 to 2023, praised Embiid’s talent.
“Joel is the most talented player that I’ve ever coached,”
Rivers declared, a notable statement considering he coaches Giannis Antetokounmpo. Rivers also stressed that the 76ers would become a formidable team if Embiid could stay healthy through the playoffs.
“They’re going to be a dangerous team.”
Embiid shares that frustration, especially given his desire to bring a championship to Philadelphia. Hanlen recalled a moment in Boston when Embiid, upon winning the MVP, confided that he would trade that accolade for one healthy postseason run.
“He literally said he’d trade the MVP for one healthy postseason,”
Hanlen said.
“Because he feels like if he can get that, then he’d have a chance to bring a championship to Philadelphia.”
Inspiration Beyond the Court
Embiid is motivated not only by personal achievement but also by his family, particularly his five-year-old son, Arthur. Hanlen shared,
“He wants Arthur to be able to see his dad at his best,”
adding,
“He doesn’t want [the narrative] to be your dad was good. He wants to have his son say, ‘My dad is good.’”
With this drive fueling him, Embiid continues to push forward, confident he can repeat past successes.
