Joel Embiid really wants that first conference finals appearance.
The Philadelphia 76ers star center Embiid is down to his rookie-year weight, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported on Monday. Shelburne notes that Embiid has been getting into the gym early this offseason as well.
For Embiid, the former NBA MVP, the eye test checks out too. In August, a photo of a stunningly slender Embiid made the rounds over social media. Then at training camp just a few days ago, a new video of Embiid showed just how much weight he had seemingly lost.
Now 32 years old, the seven-time All-Star Embiid is entering his 11th career NBA season. But he has been plagued by a multitude of lower-body injuries throughout his career (mainly to his knees) and has not even played 40 games in a single season since 2022-23.
Embiid is officially listed at 7-foot and 280 pounds. With that kind of frame combined with his age and his injury history, many have had have understandable concerns about Embiid’s durability (including his own new teammate LeBron James).
But the 76ers are now facing championship-or-bust expectations next season with their star-studded starting lineup of Embiid, James, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey. While there is still obviously much work to be done for the team, Embiid at least appears to be rising to the occasion physically.
