Embiid Confident on Knee After Sixers Swept by Knicks

Sport

By lines

May 11, 2026

Joel Embiid struck an optimistic tone about his knee health Sunday. Embiid spoke after the Philadelphia 76ers fell 144-114 to the New York Knicks in Game 4. The New York Knicks completed a sweep of Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference semifinals on the Sixers’ home floor.

Availability Is the Goal for Embiid Heading Into Next Season

“I’m as confident as I’ve ever been,” Joel Embiid said after Sunday’s game. Embiid described the knee as no longer a source of concern heading into the offseason. “I’m looking at next year, obviously being more available,” Embiid said. Embiid added that individual goals would follow from staying on the floor.

Joel Embiid has played 490 games across 10 NBA seasons, averaging 49 per year. Embiid missed his first two NBA seasons entirely due to injury. Embiid has battled health issues in nearly every playoff run of his career. The pattern makes Embiid’s knee confidence a genuine story heading into 2026-27.

This postseason brought fresh setbacks for Joel Embiid. Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy roughly five weeks ago. Embiid returned from surgery two weeks before the series concluded. Embiid also missed Game 2 against the Knicks with right hip and ankle injuries. Coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid: “He worked his ass off to get out there and play.”

Joel Embiid delivered the best three-game stretch of his playoff career in the first round. Embiid led Philadelphia back from a 3-1 deficit against the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia’s comeback was just the fourth time in NBA history a lower-seeded team reversed a 3-1 deficit. Embiid says the knee will not be a limiting factor next season.