Joel Embiid, the great center for the Philadelphia 76ers, will not play today against the Boston Celtics because of right knee pain, the team said on November 11, 2025. This was Embiid’s first unscheduled absence of the season, and the club made the announcement prior to the eagerly awaited game.
For a squad that is already dealing with a number of injuries early in the season, the news is concerning.
Current Injury Status
Embiid’s issue has nothing to do with the surgery he had on his left knee last spring. The 76ers have taken a conservative stance with regard to his playing time, keeping a careful eye on his minutes all season long. The 76ers, who now have a 6-4 record, have a significant task ahead of them as they look to continue their impressive start in the very contested Eastern Conference.
Changes to the Lineup
The 76ers will depend on Andre Drummond and Adem Bona to take center court in Embiid’s absence. It is anticipated that both players will share playing time, and the squad will modify its rebounding and defensive tactics accordingly. Tyrese Maxey, who has emerged as a key offensive leader for Philadelphia this season, will need to take on an even heavier scoring role to help compensate for the loss of Embiid.
Tonight’s game marks the third meeting between the 76ers and Celtics this season, with both previous encounters decided by narrow margins. The first matchup on October 31 saw the Celtics narrowly defeat the 76ers by just one point. The rivalry continues to intensify, especially as both teams deal with significant injury setbacks; the Celtics will also be without star player Jayson Tatum for the remainder of the season.
As the 76ers prepare to face the Celtics, the impact of Embiid’s absence will be closely monitored. The team’s medical staff will continue to evaluate his condition to determine his availability for future games.