Embiid has endured a disastrous campaign thus far, playing in just a quarter of the Sixers' matches after facing a spate of injuries. He finds himself in a similarly precarious position ahead of Philadelphia's duel with the Lakers, having been felled by a left knee malady.

Winning league MVP in 2023, Embiid followed that campaign by playing just 39 games the next season. Having already missed 31 games entering Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Embiid is ineligible for season awards due to the league's 65-game minimum rule.

Although the Philadelphia 76ers plan to keep the streak of Joel Embiid missing games going, progress is at least being made. As the Sixers returned to the court