"Legit Looks like an 80-Year-Old With Bad Knees": NBA Fans React to Joel Embiid Collapsing on His Knees After Missing Layup

Joel Embiid appeared in his eighth game of the season when the Philadelphia 76ers faced the LA Lakers on Sunday. Embiid struggled throughout the game, shooting just 4-of-21 from the field for 16 points in the 112-108 76ers loss.

In one of the plays in the fourth quarter, Embiid missed a wide-open layup against the Lakers' center DeAndre Ayton, before collapsing on his knees as the Lakers took possession.

WATCH:

NBA fans reacted to Embiid's fall, making fun of his knees for slowly losing its strength shortly after a bad miss inside the paint.

Bennylol

@PCBJICACS

@TheNBACentel He legit looks like an 80 year old with bad knees that give out sometimes

reticent

@bxhseq

@TheNBACentel On his knees bro im crying

Said

@Said_SaidSo

@TheNBACentel most depressing lowlight in nba history bro crumbled

Others believed Embiid flopped due to the embarrassment of missing a wide-open layup in one of the crucial stretches of the game.

k

@k7kt_

@TheNBACentel he hadda fall to play it off😭😭😭

EduCryptoNews

@Educryptonews

@TheNBACentel The art of the flop by an MVP: the fall can be as strategic as the dunk. 😅🏀

🥷🏾

@iiTREYY

@TheNBACentel embiid just be falling to fall

Embiid has been in and out of the lineup this season due to knee problems. He has averaged 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game for the 76ers, just two years after he won league MVP.

Despite Embiid's injuries, the 76ers have been solid this season, winning 13 of their first 23 games to take the seventh seed.

The team has been leaning on Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 31.6 points and 7.1 assists per game. The 76ers also get contributions from VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre, and Paul George to fill the big shoes of Embiid, whose numbers have been on a decline since the start of the year.

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Joel Embiid wants to listen to his body as he hopes for full recovery

Joel Embiid has been taking it day by day in his recovery from his knee issues. In an interview with The Athletic, Embiid said that he does not want to push himself too much, just like in the past, as he hopes for a full recovery.

“What I want is to be as honest and transparent as possible. I think this is the time, going forward, that I’m going to listen to my body," he said. There are so many times in the past that I’ve tried to push through injury. I don’t want to do that this time. So, it’s going to be unpredictable at times, and we are going to have to work with that. I know that I’m going to have to take it day by day and work from there.”

Embiid has yet to play on back-to-back games this season as the 76ers take a slow approach with him.

They will next face the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 12.