The Philadelphia 76ers and star player Joel Embiid are currently seeking medical advice and exploring various treatment options, including the possibility of surgery for his injured left knee, as reported by ESPN on Sunday.

Despite both parties’ hopes for improvement in Embiid’s condition, his commitment to play, alongside ongoing treatments, including regular injections, has not resulted in any noticeable progress, sources indicate.

Embiid is set to undergo further assessments on his knee early this week, after which both he and the 76ers will collaborate with medical specialists to determine the best course of action, sources reveal.

In recent weeks, Embiid has expressed both publicly and privately the likelihood of needing surgery or a longer recovery period for his knee injury. Nevertheless, he remains focused on finding ways to continue playing and contributing to the 76ers.

Last season, he appeared in only 39 games after suffering a torn meniscus in his knee. He underwent surgery in early February, made his return in early April, participated in the 76ers’ playoff campaign, and later claimed a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team during the summer. In early discussions this month, Embiid admitted that he did not have sufficient time to fully recuperate post-surgery.

This season, ongoing knee issues combined with a foot sprain have limited him to just 19 appearances out of 56 games.

Embiid’s status for the upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls remains uncertain, especially after he experienced swelling in his knee following Saturday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, according to sources.

During the match against the Nets, Embiid appeared to struggle as he went down late in the third quarter after losing possession, later sitting out the fourth quarter after managing only 14 points in 31 minutes, during which he missed all six attempts from beyond the arc. This marked the first time since May 2021 that he has scored 15 points or fewer in consecutive games.

Saturday’s defeat was significant for the 76ers’ standings, as it resulted in them breaking a tie with the Nets, positioning them to have sole possession of the sixth-worst record in the NBA. The team’s first-round draft pick this year is top-six protected; otherwise, it will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Once viewed as contenders for the championship, the 76ers are currently enduring a disappointing season, having lost seven consecutive games and sitting at 20-36 due to multiple injuries. Even with Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey on the court, the team has managed a record of only 7-8.

George is also grappling with a left pinkie tendon injury and a groin strain, having received injections to facilitate play in the last few games leading up to the All-Star break.

This report includes information from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and The Associated Press.