Report: Joel Embiid has minor setback with injured foot

Joel Embiid has yet to play a game for the Sixers, and odds are he won’t this season. But the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft has been recovering from a broken right foot, and appeared to be on track to make a full recovery with no setbacks.

But now, he’s apparently back in a walking boot after suffering a minor setback. From Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com:

According to a report from the Intelligencer’s Tom Moore, the Sixers’ Joel Embiid suffered a minor setback in the rehab for his surgically repaired right foot and is wearing a walking boot again.

The team has not commented on the topic. However, a league source close to Embiid is unaware of any setback, but told CSNPhilly.com that the center would be in Los Angeles on Tuesday for a checkup with his doctor. It is unclear if this appointment was already scheduled or made after Embiid’s viral dunk from Friday night. A league source confirmed to CSNPhilly.com’s John Gonzalez that Embiid was in a walking boot, but the reason is unclear.

Hopefully, this issue is as minor as it seems. But it’s worrying that the seven-foot Embiid is still dealing with these foot problems so early in his career. Big men who have foot issues are often unable to shake them—think Yao Ming and Bill Walton.

The Sixers have a lot of their hopes tied up in Embiid, who is likely their best shot at landing a superstar that GM Sam Hinkie can build a contender around. But first, he has to get healthy.