Why Joel Embiid thinks 76ers’ 2025-26 season was still a success despite Knicks’ sweep

Once again, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid failed to reach the conference finals after they got swept by the New York Knicks in their second-round series in the playoffs on Sunday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Embiid has yet to carry the 76ers past the second round. The last time Philadelphia reached the conference finals was during its run to the NBA Finals in 2001.

The Knicks massacred the 76ers, 144-114, in Game 4. They finished off the Sixers with an average margin of 22.2 points.

Embiid had 24 points on 8-of-8 shooting, five rebounds, and four assists in 28 minutes.

Despite their exit, the former MVP opened up about his silver lining.

“I know we lost, I know that’s not the right mentality to have, but for me, this was a success. I came into this year not knowing where I was going to be, how long I was gonna play, if I was even gonna play based on how the knee was in the last few years,” said Embiid in the postgame conference.

“I came in just hoping for the best, and I feel like we were in a position where we figured out that the knee hasn’t been an issue.”

"I know we lost… But for me, this was a success."

Joel Embiid after the Sixers were eliminated from the playoffs.

(via @espn) pic.twitter.com/QkePMk0luD

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 10, 2026

Embiid, who has been bothered by various injuries in his career, was limited to 38 games this season. He put up 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks.

He missed Game 2 against the Knicks with an ankle sprain and a sore hip.

He sat out the first few weeks of the season as he was recovering from knee surgery. When he returned, he was under a minutes restriction, including not playing in back-to-back sets.

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