“Doc Rivers Drops a Bombshell: What He Really Thinks About Joel Embiid’s Future”

After a season marred by injuries and setbacks, Joel Embiid finds himself once again on the operating table, leaving fans of the Philadelphia 76ers mulling over the question: Is the former MVP destined for greatness, or is his body ultimately betraying him? It’s hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for a player whose thrilling potential has been snuffed out by reoccurring injuries. This season, Embiid managed to lace up for only 19 games, averaging a shadow of his previous self—disheartening numbers for a player once celebrated for his explosiveness and skill. Doc Rivers weighed in recently, echoing the frustration and disappointment felt by so many: “It’s tough. This guy is as talented as anyone I ever coached.” Can we expect the dominant force we once knew, or are we witnessing the twilight of an extraordinary career? Let’s dive into the whirlwind of emotions surrounding Embiid’s journey and the ripple effects it has on the 76ers’ future.

This season has been a disaster for Joel Embiid and his Philadelphia 76ers.

Embiid was never able to get healthy and only played in 19 games.

The Sixers recently announced that the former MVP will undergo another knee surgery this summer and should hopefully be in better shape next year.

Speaking about Embiid, Doc Rivers talked about his talent and how unfortunate this news is.

“I mean, it’s tough. This guy is as talented as anyone I ever coached. And it’s just too bad for me,” Rivers said, per Keith Pompey.

“I mean, it tough. This guy is as talented as anyone I ever coached. And it’s just too bad for me.”

– Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid is set to undergo another knee surgery. Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers expressed concern for the Sixers star. https://t.co/pJA72HuRFU via…

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) April 4, 2025

Rivers coached the Philadelphia 76ers for a few years and was able to get very close with Embiid.

He saw his talent up close and was just as blown by it as everyone else.

As a coach and a fan of the game, he is disappointed to see Embiid face yet another major setback.

When he’s healthy, Embiid is one of the most dominant and unstoppable players in the NBA.

During his 19 games this year, he posted 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

That is a steep decline from last season when he was averaging 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, and it shows just how hurt he was this year.

Hopefully, Embiid comes back next year and is looking like the MVP he once was.

However, there are concerns about how many times he has gotten hurt and how hard it has been for him to recover.

If he returns in 2025-26 and isn’t improved, people will wonder if it is time for him to think about stepping away from the game.

Everyone, from fans to players to coaches, is hopeful but nervous about Embiid’s future.

The post Doc Rivers Has Honest Admission About Joel Embiid appeared first on The Cold Wire.