Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, has been ruled out for at least a month after knee surgery, his team said on Tuesday.
The team did not say how long Embiid is expected to be sidelined but said he would be examined in a month.
“Joel Embiid had a successful procedure today to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee. He will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks,” the team said in a statement.
Embiid is currently the NBA’s leading scorer at 35.3 points per game and is averaging 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
The 29-year-old, born in Cameroon, scored a franchise-record 70 points to go with 18 rebounds on Jan. 22 in a 133-124 victory over San Antonio.
Embiid suffered the injury last Tuesday in a loss to Golden State when the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga fell on his left leg as they scrambled for a loose ball.
Embiid has missed 15 games this season and his absence is almost certain to end his chances of being eligible for a second straight MVP award.
Under new NBA rules, a player must play in 65 regular season games to be eligible for individual awards.
The 76ers are 30-18 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
