MILWAUKEE (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid acknowledged Sunday he may have to undergo another surgery on the left knee that has bothered him the last year if it isn’t feeling any better by the end of the season.
During the telecast of the 76ers’ 135-127 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, ABC reported that Embiid said he believes his knee would likely require another surgery and long recovery period. The 2022-23 MVP wasn’t as definitive about it when talking to reporters after the game, but indicated offseason surgery could at least be a possibility.
“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.”
Embiid returned to action Tuesday after missing 15 games because of his knee problem. He has averaged 26.3 points, 10 rebounds and 7.3 assists in the three games he has played over the last week.
He played just 39 games last season due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. The 76ers announced in early February of that season that he had undergone surgery. Embiid came back in early April, was part of the 76ers’ playoff run and then won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team last summer.
Embiid acknowledged after Sunday’s game that he didn’t have enough time after undergoing surgery last year.
“At some point I probably need to just, especially when the summer comes around, these few months to just recover fully,” Embiid said. “Like I said, don’t know what it is, but if that keeps being the same pattern, then obviously you’ve got to try something else.”
Embiid, 30, has averaged 24.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 15 games this season.
“Every day, take it day by day,” Embiid said. “If it gets worse, then you’ve got to do something about it. If it’s not consistent enough, then that’s not good enough.”
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Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) shoots between Milwaukee Bucks' Taurean Prince (12) and Bobby Portis Jr. (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.
Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.
Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.
James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.
Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.
Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.
Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.
Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.
Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
