It’s anyone’s guess how often Joel Embiid will play this season.
The 76ers’ prized center, who has dealt with an obscene amount of health issues since he came into the league, is said to be uncertain to be ready for training camp beginning Oct. 1.
“Whether he’s ready for training camp or not, I think there’s maybe a lot more decisions than that to make before we get there,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse told talkSPORT.
Still, Nurse looked to put a positive spin on Embiid’s outlook after some negative prior reporting on Embiid’s health.
“But our main thing is that he’s healthy to play and play to his nearest capabilities, because he’s awesome, no doubt about that.”
“All the news is positive,” Nurse said. “I know he’s working very, very hard and I think things look good.”
Prior reports about the 31-year-old in July stated that Embiid knows the end of his career is nearing.
“I think Joel may know that the end is near,” Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer said. “It’s kind of like explaining to people what he’s been going through. Because rarely do you have a guy tell you how much pain and how much they’re going through … I feel like Joel Embiid knows that, it may not be this season, but the end is near. Maybe he can’t. Maybe he feels as though he can’t play to the level he used to.”
Embiid also opened up to ESPN in July about his frustration with his body breaking down.
He appeared in 19 games last year, his lowest amount for any season in which he suited up at least once.
“Every single year, you start asking yourself questions like, ‘Why?’” Embiid said in a feature published July 16, referencing being injured through key moments of his NBA career.
“I don’t know if I can do it again … I can’t do another minute,” Embiid added when talking about late-night treatment sessions.
Embiid has been sidelined for nearly half of his playing career, totaling 452 games across 11 seasons since being picked first in the 2014 NBA Draft.
He is owed $193 million over the next three years, including a player option for the 2028-29 season.
The 76ers cratered last year without him and amid mass injuries, finishing 24-58.
