Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will undergo surgery this week to address a tear in the lateral meniscus of his left knee, the team announced Sunday night about the star's injury. While the specific procedure and recovery timeline remain undisclosed, this update adds another layer of concern to Embiid's injury history and throws his MVP aspirations into serious doubt.

Joel Embiid sustained the injury during a Tuesday night loss to the Golden State Warriors and subsequent MRI confirmed the meniscus tear. This latest setback comes after the All-Star center already missed 13 games this season, effectively eliminating his chances of meeting the new collective bargaining agreement's requirement of 65 games played to be eligible for individual awards like MVP.

Despite the missed games, Embiid has been on a tear when healthy, leading the league in scoring with a staggering 35.3 points per game. He's also averaging 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists, showcasing his well-rounded skillset. His scoring prowess even landed him a franchise-record 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs in January.

The 76ers currently hold a 30-18 record and sit comfortably in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. While Coach Nick Nurse acknowledges the team's struggles without Embiid (4-10 record), they've managed to secure wins in his absence, demonstrating their potential for resilience. The future is uncertain as Joel Embiid will mostly not be back this season after this injury.

While individual accolades might not be at the forefront of Embiid's mind, his focus remains on leading the 76ers to their first NBA championship since 1983. He expressed this sentiment last month, stating, "I've already done it (won MVP). If I have a chance to get a second one, I'll do it. But my game is always going to speak for itself. We're winning. That's the main thing."

With the NBA trade deadline approaching on Thursday, the 76ers face a crucial decision regarding their championship aspirations. Navigating with the Joel Embiid injury absence and potential roster moves will be key factors in determining the team's trajectory for the rest of the season.

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img via : Reuters