Joel Embiid is battling with mental issues / News - Basketnews.com

Embiid said the meniscus injury took a toll on him mentally and was depressing. He still hasn't gotten over it, the player revealed.

Credit: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Joel Embiid made his return to the NBA court after a two-month absence due to an injury. Following his comeback, the player revealed he was struggling mentally.

Joel Embiid

MIN:33.83PTS:35.15 (65.94%)REB:11.18As:5.79ST:1.21BL:1.68TO:3.71GM:34ProfileNBA2023/2024

Embiid scored 24 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, and made 3 steals in his first game since January 30th. The Philadelphia 76ers, meanwhile, beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in a crucial game with the regular season coming near the end.

Embiid suffered a meniscus injury to his left knee, which forced him to be sidelined for more than two months. At the same time, he got ruled out from winning any individual awards due to not meeting the 65-game criteria.

"This one took a toll mentally. I was paying the price, it was not a good one," Embiid revealed after the game. "I'm still not where I'm supposed to be, especially mentally, but I just love to play, love basketball, and I want to play. Any chance I'm gonna be out there, I'm gonna take it."

"For some reason, this injury was different. It was disappointing, it was depressing. It took me a while to get over it, and I still haven't gotten over it," Embiid admitted.

Currently a play-in team, the 76ers are in the 8th place in the Eastern Conference standings, two wins away from the 6th-seeded Indiana Pacers.

Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.