Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse offered a cautiously hopeful update concerning Joel Embiid’s status for the upcoming 2025-26 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA season, but uncertainty remains over the MVP’s readiness. As training camp approaches on October 1, the team must decide if Embiid will be fit to join the early sessions.
Embiid, who is now 31 years old, has faced ongoing injury challenges throughout his career, and questions about his physical health continue to raise concern among fans and analysts alike.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Nurse emphasized,
“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,”
while noting that all the news is positive and that Embiid is working very, very hard on his recovery.
Ongoing Concerns About Embiid’s Career Durability
Despite Nurse’s optimistic remarks, recent reports reflect a darker reality. In July, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer suggested that Embiid
“may know that the end is near,”
indicating the superstar might be aware that his physical limitations could soon restrict his performance.
Embiid’s own words reveal his frustration with the deterioration of his body during injury rehabilitation. In a recent ESPN interview, he said,
“Every single year, you start asking yourself questions like, ‘Why?’,”
recalling the exhaustion and pain endured through repeated setbacks.
“I don’t know if I can do it again … I can’t do another minute.”
Last year, Embiid appeared in only 19 games, the fewest in a season where he played at least once. Since being chosen first overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Cameroonian center has missed nearly half of his career games, sitting out 452 contests over 11 seasons.
Embiid’s Fitness Critical to the 76ers’ Season Prospects
The doubts about Embiid’s ability to contribute this season extend past training camp and could shape the Sixers’ entire campaign. The franchise’s hopes for championship contention rest heavily on his availability and capacity to perform consistently throughout the year.
As the countdown to October 1 continues, Philadelphia faces a difficult wait to learn whether their franchise cornerstone will lead the team or if his absence will force the organization to adjust its aspirations.