Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been healthy for the most part of the season. For the first time since he was drafted in 2014, the oft-injured Embiid has appeared in more than 31 contests in a campaign, as he entered Wednesday’s game home game against the New York Knicks having played in 62 games this season.

Embiid being healthy has played a big role in the Sixers’ return to relevancy in the Eastern Conference. That said, Philadelphia took a punch in the gut in the Knicks game when Embiid left the contest in the second period after getting inadvertently hit in the face by teammate Markelle Fultz.

Embiid would then head to the locker room before being ruled out for the rest of the game. Seeing Embiid go down with an injury is never a good sight for Sixers fans, but they could let out big a sigh of relief at the fact that the center does not have a concussion, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Article Continues Below
More Philadelphia 76ers News
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) steals the ball from Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the second quarter at Delta Center.
Bill Simmons brainstorms Paul George for Lauri Markkanen 76ers-Jazz tradePreston Byers ·
Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz (20) is doused with water by guard Ben Simmons (25) and center Amir Johnson (5) after recording his first triple double in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center.
76ers’ 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in historySpencer See ·
76ers' Daryl Morey in the middle with Nick Nurse on one side and Joel Embiid on the other
2 players Philadelphia 76ers must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftTroy Finnegan ·
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) shoots the ball in the second half against the USC Trojans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
76ers rumors: Insider getting ‘mixed signals’ on No. 3 pick amid Ace Bailey debateJake Faigus ·
Jared McCain, Philadephia 76ers, Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat, Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks, NBA Finals
Dyson Daniels, Matas Buzelis highlight NBA Finals correspondents for Thunder-PacersTomer Azarly ·
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) during game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Tobias Harris clowns Paul George, 76ers for post-Super Bowl strugglesRichard Pereira ·

Before leaving the game, Joel Embiid logged in only nine minutes on the floor, during which he scored five points and grabbed three rebounds.

The Sixers have secured a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2012, thanks in large part to the exploits of Embiid, who is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, big men in the game today.

Embiid’s status for Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks remains unknown, but in case he would miss that, expect Amir Johnson and Richaun Holmes to share minutes at the center position.