Joel Embiid is habitually injured, habitually unavailable and habitually out of shape Joel Embiid. And the Knicks tried to trade for him.

Counting last year's two big individual performances, this date has been a day when larger-than-life moments happen in the NBA.

Less than two years removed from winning MVP, Joel Embiid has struggled to stay on the floor consistently for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Nov 12, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The 7-footer is averaging 25.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game — second-most in the NBA — in 38 appearances.

Meanwhile, Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Caleb Martin (right groin soreness), Kyle Lowry (right hip sprain), KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction) and Jared McCain (left knee surgery) will remain sidelined. McCain will miss the remainder of the season.

Nick Nurse didn’t spend much time trying to reconcile a timeline of Joel Embiid’s foot injury that doesn’t appear to make much sense.

The last time the New York Knicks rolled without the All-Star acquisition Karl Anthony-Towns, they dropped a game against the Orlando Magic at home. Since then,

Embiid’s played in just total 13 games thus far for the Sixers, who entered Wednesday 11th in the Eastern Conference standings at 15-23. He’s been sidelined by everything from troubles with his left knee and foot to a sinus fracture that’s led him to wear a protective mask in games since Dec. 20.

PHILADELPHIA — The word became official about 90 minutes before game time, but was predictable nearly 48 hours earlier that Karl-Anthony Towns would be out of action Wednesday night as the Knicks took on the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center.

In the second half, the Sixers showed signs of the team they were supposed to be without Joel Embiid. But their dreadful first half sunk them to 15-24.

Joel Embiid sprained his left foot in Boston ... were good to go Wednesday. … Karl-Anthony Towns missed out with a right thumb sprain. He spent it on the Knicks bench in Eagles gear, an ...