According to The Athletic, Joel Embiid, the All-Star center for the Philadelphia 76ers, is contemplating a surgical procedure for his left knee injury.

The report specified that Embiid has a meniscus rupture specifically identified as a misplaced flap. Rest and rehabilitation are also being deliberated as alternatives to the operation.

Undergoing surgery would necessitate the reigning MVP to take an extended hiatus. A judgment on how to progress is expected to be reached by Monday.

Embiid, 29, was on track to lead the league in scoring for the third consecutive season, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks while playing only 34 of Philadelphia’s 47 games due to injuries.

As per the new collective bargaining agreement of the NBA, players must participate in a minimum of 65 regular-season games to qualify for certain accolades, including MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and the All-NBA teams.

Embiid sat out games against Denver and Portland before making a comeback on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors, where he scored 14 points and secured seven rebounds in nearly 30 minutes.

However, he had to leave the court with 4:04 left in the game after Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors landed on his knee during a loose-ball scrum.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse informed reporters that the injury on Tuesday was unrelated to the left knee discomfort that kept Embiid out of the previous two games.

On Thursday, the team was penalized $75,000 for not accurately and promptly including Embiid on the injury report before the Denver game.