Sun Feb 23 02:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Embiid’s Knee Issues Hamper 76ers in Crushing Loss to Celtics
**Philadelphia, PA** – The Philadelphia 76ers suffered a devastating 124-104 home loss to the Boston Celtics Thursday night, a game that highlighted the struggles of star center Joel Embiid. Embiid, hampered by a lingering left knee issue and a foot sprain, had a subpar performance, scoring only 15 points on 3-of-9 shooting in 27 minutes – his fewest shot attempts this season excluding games ended early due to injury or ejection.
The All-Star center admitted his knee needs attention to regain his top form. “The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now,” Embiid stated post-game. “I probably need to fix the problem, and then I’ll be back at that level.” He added that even a week off during the All-Star break provided only minimal relief.
Embiid’s struggles, combined with Paul George’s admission that he’s playing through pain with the aid of pain-killing injections, paint a grim picture for the 76ers (20-35), who remain near the bottom of the NBA standings. George, who scored 17 points, confirmed a previous ESPN report about his medication use.
The Celtics (40-16), on the other hand, dominated the game, hitting 11 of their first 16 three-pointers and building a commanding lead. Their performance contrasted sharply with the 76ers’ struggles, leaving the team facing a difficult road to the play-in tournament.
76ers guard Tyrese Maxey attributed the team’s problems to a lack of effort and trust. While Embiid acknowledged his diminished dominance, he maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing his continued ability to impact the game through his presence and drawing double-teams. However, the team’s playoff hopes hinge heavily on Embiid’s ability to overcome his physical limitations and return to his All-Star caliber play.
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