What’s Next for Joel Embiid After Leaving Warriors Game With Injury?

Joel Embiid left Tuesday's game against the Warriors early.

Joel Embiid’s health remains a significant concern for the Philadelphia 76ers at this point in the season. Although the seven-time All-Star returned to the floor to face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night after missing the previous two games, he went back to the locker room on multiple occasions.

Embiid’s first trip back to the visitor’s locker room occurred before the start of the second quarter. At the time, Embiid had just four points off seven shots. Clearly, Embiid’s trip back was for cautionary reasons, as he returned to the Sixers’ bench during the second quarter.

The big man’s night didn’t conclude in the first half. After the intermission, Embiid was back out on the floor for the Sixers, looking to help his team complete a shorthanded comeback win. Unfortunately, during the final minutes of the outing, Embiid’s knee was landed on by Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga.

After laying on the floor, grabbing at his knee for a bit, Embiid managed to get off the floor and walk back to the locker room on his own power. He wouldn’t return to the Sixers’ bench that time around.

The reigning MVP finished the matchup with 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and eight turnovers in nearly 30 minutes of action.

Not only did Embiid enter the matchup looking like an injury-plagued version of himself, but the concerns worsened before the end of the game.

What’s Next for Embiid?

After Tuesday’s game, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse backed the 76ers’ medical staff, noting that they felt comfortable in clearing him to play, according to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. Nurse also added that Embiid “felt good” before leaving the game, per Andrews.

As for what’s next, the Sixers’ center reportedly intends to get an MRI on his knee this week. That should determine an official diagnosis after his most recent setback.

The Sixers will have Wednesday off before facing the Utah Jazz on the road on Thursday for the final game of their current five-game road stand.