The Philadelphia 76ers have announced that their All-Star center, Joel Embiid, will be sidelined for at least the next three games against the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets due to swelling in his left knee.

“Joel Embiid was on the court for a workout on Thursday after being out for the last six games because of a sprained left foot,” the 76ers stated in a press release. “Although his foot has healed, he has seen an increase in swelling in his left knee after the workout. Following discussions with the team doctors and outside specialists, Embiid will undergo treatment over the coming days to manage the swelling. Therefore, he will not join the upcoming road trip and will be assessed again in about 7 to 10 days.”

This presents another challenge for Embiid and the struggling Sixers, who currently hold a 15-24 record and sit at 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

The reigning NBA MVP, Embiid, has appeared in only 13 games this season, dealing with issues related to his knee, foot, and sinus. He missed the first nine games, took a break of seven straight games in late November to early December, and has now been absent for the last six games.

He is currently averaging 24.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 45.2%, marking the lowest efficiency in his career.

On October 29, the NBA penalized the 76ers with a $100,000 fine for providing public statements, including those from president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse, which were not in alignment with Embiid’s health condition, violating NBA rules, particularly the Player Participation Policy.

“The league’s review confirmed that Embiid has not been able to participate in the 76ers’ regular season games this year due to a left knee issue, thus his absence doesn’t breach the Player Participation Policy.”

Stay updated with NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt