Sixers: Joel Embiid Explains Why All-Star Status is Unclear

Joel Embiid reiterates why he isn't sure about playing in the 2023 NBA All-Star game.

The Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their Wednesday night matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 118-112 victory. Following the win, the Sixers officially reached the 2023 NBA All-Star break.

This year, the Sixers only have one representative in the All-Star game. With the ten-time All-Star James Harden getting left out of the lineup for the first time in 11 years, Joel Embiid was the only Sixer to land in the big game.

Despite getting voted in as an All-Star, Embiid felt a sense of disrespect, considering he wasn’t voted in as a starter coming out of the Eastern Conference. Instead, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum got the nods.

While Embiid was eventually promoted to the starting lineup as an injury replacement, the big man doesn’t feel any extra motivation to prove he should’ve been a starter in the first place by aiming to land the All-Star MVP nod.

“That's not where my focus is,” said Embiid after Wednesday’s game. “My focus is on getting healthy.”

Throughout the 2022-2023 NBA season, Embiid has battled his fair share of setbacks. So far this season, Embiid appeared in 45 of 57 games. While the big man has appeared in 17 of the Sixers’ last 18 games, Embiid’s entered the last 12 matchups listed as questionable due to foot soreness.

“I’ve been having this lingering foot issue,” Embiid continued. “According to the doctors, it needs a lot of rest and staying off your feet. The focus is on winning, especially getting ready for the second half of the season and the playoffs. So, you focus on winning the championship. Whatever that helps me get there healthy, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m going to see how it goes. Just like the doctor said, I got to follow whatever they say. I just need rest and to stay off my feet.”

Wednesday night wasn’t the first time Embiid showed uncertainty about his playing status in the All-Star game. Once again, the big man kicked around the idea of potentially taking the week off.

“I’m not sure,” Embiid said regarding his playing status. “I’m not healthy. I haven’t been healthy for the last three weeks. I was just trying to get the All-Star break without missing games and stuff. I felt like I’ve reached a point where I really need to follow the doctor’s advice. Back then, he said I should’ve been sitting for two weeks. So, I’ll just see how the next few days go, and we’ll go from there.”

The All-Star game will take place on Sunday, February 19. As of Wednesday night, Embiid still hasn’t withdrawn from the All-Star game. While he’s typically a participant when getting voted in, as he’s played in four of the last five All-Star games, it seems Embiid is seriously considering taking off to rest up his foot ahead of the final stretch.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.