Joel Embiid: Philidelphia 76ers star out of contention to retain MVP award following knee procedure

Joel Embiid is effectively out of contention to retain the NBA Most Valuable Player award after the Philadelphia 76ers confirmed the centre will miss at least four weeks of action.

While the 29-year-old could yet feature in the regular season after undergoing a left knee procedure on Tuesday, he won't meet the criteria to be a contender for this season's MVP award.

New regulations state that players have to play at least 65 games to be considered for awards.

Embiid, who has already missed 15 of the 76ers' 49 matches so far, will miss a minimum of 11 more with his latest injury.

"Joel Embiid had a successful procedure today to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee. He will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks," the team said in a statement.

Embiid is believed to have suffered the injury in a loss to the Golden State Warrors recently when Jonathan Kuminga fell on his knee.

The centre has played an integral role for the 76ers this season, with three 50-point games and nine further games where he got into the 40s. No player in the NBA can match his 35.3 ppg (points per game).

A report by ESPN suggests there’s “belief that the door remains open for Embiid's return in the regular season”.

The Cameroonian missed the recent games against the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers with what the team described as knee soreness.

The 76ers are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference and are 4-10 without Embiid this season.

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