Sixers Could Force Embiid into 'Medical Retirement' in 2025-2026
Sixers Could Force Embiid into ‘Medical Retirement’ in 2025-2026 if Knee Injury Persists
Source: Stacy Revere / Getty
The Process is on the verge of being halted for good, as Embiid could be forced into ‘Medical Retirement’ if things don’t get better.
RELATED: Joel Embiid Out for Remainder of 2024-2025 Season with Knee Injury
Joel Embiid Knee Injury details
Philadelphia 76ers Center Joel Embiid has been ruled out for the remainder of the season by team officials, but a concerned fan raised the question that we were all thinking: what if he genuinely can’t play anymore games?
NBA insider Keith Smith had a simple answer: He could be forced into medical retirement by the NBA.
“If Joel Embiid is unable to play, starting on February 22, 2026 (one year after his last game), the Sixers could petition for a medical retirement.” Smith answered on X. “At that point, an independent doctor selected by the NBA and NBPA would examine Embiid. If agreed he can no longer play, his remaining contract would be wiped off the books for the Sixers.”
What is Medical Retirement?
Medical retirement in the NBA happens when a player is forced to retire due to a career-ending injury or illness. The team applies for a Disabled Player Career-Ending Injury Exception, and an NBA-approved doctor must confirm the player cannot return.
Embiid acknowledged earlier this month, noting that his unavailability has been an ongoing issue and that he may have to undergo another surgery on his left knee.
RELATED: Joel Embiid Claps Back At Critics Questioning His Devotion To The Game
“I think the straightforward answer is that when you’ve got something that’s inconsistent, at some point, you’ve got to do something about it,” Embiid said. “We don’t know what it is. We’re looking into every option.”
According to EPSN’s Shams Charania, he revealed that Embiid went to 76ers owner Josh Harris directly about the state of his knee, stating the ‘realization of a potential shutodwn’
Watch Shams segment on NBA Countdown below
Embiid would not be the first, nor the last, to have to be forced to medically retire, if that were to be the case.
Some of the NBA most illustrious names, have had to call it a career due to lingering issues that would hinder them from performing, including: ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich, Penny Hardaway, Chris Bosh, Bill Walton, and Yao Ming.
MORE EMBIID READS:
RELATED: Joel Embiid to Undergo MRI After Suffering Knee Injury in Loss to Warriors
RELATED: NBA to Investigate Joel Embiid’s Participation with the Philadelphia 76ers
RELATED: Sixers Fans GO OFF on Social Media as Joel Embiid Alludes Leaving Philadelphia
RELATED: Joel Embiid Learned to Shoot by Searching ‘White People Shooting 3 Pointers’
Contributions of this report came from theplayoffs.news and sportskeeda.com
