Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week on his left knee, aiming to recover for the upcoming season.

Embiid was ruled out for this season in late February, focusing on treatment and rehabilitation of his left knee.

Updates on Embiid will be provided after the surgery.

The Sixers, considered one of the preseason title contenders, have been eliminated from playoff contention with a record of 23-53 before Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Counting his injury history, by the end of this season, Embiid will have played 452 of 883 76ers’ games, missing nearly 50% of the regular season.

Injuries have hindered Embiid throughout this season, including a three-game suspension for a confrontation with a member of the media. He has averaged 23.8 points this season, down from his consistent scoring of over 30 points during his previous three seasons.

After dealing with a torn meniscus last season, Embiid was back for the 76ers’ playoff run and previously won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics with the U.S. team last year.

“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now,” Embiid remarked. “I probably need to fix the problem, and then I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have trust when you’re not yourself.”

Embiid disclosed his struggles with injuries, including needing therapy due to the emotional toll. “It’s hard not to feel bad about yourself when you know your potential but can’t achieve it,” he added, emphasizing the importance of a positive outlook.