Joel Embiid's 2024-25 season got off to a disastrous start off of the floor. What was supposed to be a season focused on health and making it to the playoffs in peak condition began with a preseason knee injury and an altercation with a local reporter that led to a three-game suspension.

The last image of Joel Embiid playing with the 76ers was him gritting his way through Bell’s palsy and the aftereffects of a left knee injury. He played 40 minutes in Game 6 of the first-round matchup last season against the New York Knicks despite being clearly limited.

Joel Embiid has had a controversial start to the 2024-25 NBA season without playing a game. Here's what happened and why he's on the cusp of returning.