Killing his legacy by killing accolades" - NBA fans erupt as Joel Embiid faces 2nd consecutive disqualification from season awards

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is expected to not qualify for the NBA awards for the second year in a row due to missed games. Last season, Embiid was limited to 39 games. And for the 2024-25 NBA season, the Cameroonian big man has only played four games.

In the 2023-24 season, the league implemented a minimum 65-game rule to be eligible to win awards to limit the number of games missed. This includes a minimum of 20 minutes played for a game to count.

Embiid has missed 16 games this season, which puts him closer to being ineligible for any major NBA award. On Friday, the Sixers are set to take on the Orlando Magic. Head coach Nick Nurse confirmed the big man won't suit up against the Magic and is set to miss his 17th game of the season.

As Embiid is set to be ineligible for awards for the second straight season, fans piled on X (formerly Twitter), to address the big man's situation.

"Killing his legacy by killing accolades," one fan said.

"Not sure Embiid will ever win another regular-season NBA award again," another fan said.

"We knew this before the season. He won the MVP he begged for, now he’ll never try to win it again," one fan said.

Other fans talked about the MVP award he won in 2023.

"Jokic Should Have 4 MVPs Now He never deserved the one he got anyway," one fan said.

"Never should have gotten MVP that one year," another fan said.

"Still mad he cried his way to an MVP, Joker clearly deserved it," a fan said.

The accolades that fall under the 65-game rule are MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, the All-NBA teams and the All-Defensive teams.

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Sixers head coach gives an update on Joel Embiid

Ahead of Philly's game against the Magic, head coach Nick Nurse gave an update on Joel Embiid's status. According to him, the All-Star center has been on the court for the past few days. He also told reporters the NBA star is doing "okay" and that the swelling on his knee has "gone down."

Nurse said the team has been monitoring Embiid's condition lately and will continue to look after it following their game against Orlando. The head coach hinted that the seven-time All-Star could return to the court on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls.

Embiid has averaged 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in his little time on the court this season.