Joel Embiid Shocks Fans with Honest Admission: ‘I’m Not as Dominant’ – Is This the End of His Reign?

Joel Embiid said he’s hoping for the best as he continues to play through a left knee injury following the 76ers’ 124-104 loss to the Celtics on Thursday night.

The Sixers’ big man, who’s also dealing with a foot sprain, explained that he’s finding ways to impact the game while trying to get back to his “dominant self.”

“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now,” Embiid, 30, said when asked about his knee after the loss at home. “And It sucks, but I believe … I probably need to fix the problem and then I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have trust when you’re not yourself.

“I’m not as dominant as I was a couple of months ago, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t have a lot of impact on the game Just me being out there, I think, helps a lot. You know, just my presence, my ability to attract double-teams, getting guys more shots.

“But my dominant self, I’ll get there. It’s just tough because you know you can do so much more but no excuses, that’s just the way it is. I just gotta keep finding ways to figure it out and get better.”

Embiid, who had more than a week off during the NBA All-Star break, didn’t look like himself Thursday.

He finished with 15 points on 3-for-9 shooting from the field in 27 minutes. He added four assists and three rebounds.

“I’m OK,” Embiid said, per ESPN, adding that the break helped “a little bit” in his recovery. “Still managing it. Got to keep going and hope for the best.”

Sixers’ big man Joel Embiid said he’s not as dominant when asked about his knee injury following a loss to the Celtics at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on February 20, 2025. X
The Sixers have been decimated with injuries throughout the first half of the season.

All-Star forward Paul George, who struggled offensively before the break,i s dealing a left finger and groin injuries.

“I’m hanging in there,” said George, who recorded 17 points Thursday. “I’m just trying to give this team everything I have.

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 20, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NBAE via Getty Images
George also confirmed a report by ESPN’s Shams Charania that he received pain-killing injections to stay active in recent weeks.

“I’m taking some sorts of medicines to kind of, I guess, play through pain,” he said. “But yeah, I’m going to try to give everything I got.”

Forward Justin Edwards was added to the injury report with a left ankle sprain heading into Thursday’s game — joining Kyle Lowry (right hip injury management), Eric Gordon (right wrist sprain) and Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery) on the sideline.

Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 20, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NBAE via Getty Images
Earlier this week, All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey (knee contusion) said he was feeling “way better” after resting over the break.

“I got hit the first play of the Toronto game [a 106-103 Sixers loss on Feb. 11] and I couldn’t be as aggressive as I wanted to,” he said. “It was pretty painful for about 48 hours, but I’m good now.”

Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball with Joel Embiid behind him during the game against the Boston Celtics on February 20, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NBAE via Getty Images

Philadelphia is in the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference and out of the playoff race entering Friday.

“Everybody’s out here and ready to compete tomorrow and throughout the rest of the season,” Maxey said. “Guys are optimistic. At the end of the day, it’s in our hands. If we want to move up in the standings, then we’ve got to go do that as a group collectively.

“It’s going to start with Joel, Paul and myself. And not just scoring, not just on the court, but also mentality-wise — holding ourselves accountable and holding guys accountable.”

The Sixers host the Nets, in the 12th spot with a 20-35 mark, at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.