The Philadelphia 76ers‘ 2025-26 campaign came to an embarrassing end at the hands of the division-rival New York Knicks.
The Knicks swept the Sixers in four games and beat them by 30 (144-114) on their home floor in the closing game of the series. To make matters worse, there were arguably more Knicks fans than Sixers fans in attendance in Philadelphia.
76ers’ Joel Embiid Says Season was a Success Despite Second-Round Exit
GettyJoel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
For Sixers fans, it’s another underwhelming ending to a once-promising season. The wait for an Eastern Conference finals appearance in Philadelphia will now stretch on another year.
For Sixers star center Joel Embiid, it’s the sixth time in his career that he’s lost in the second round. He’s never been able to advance beyond it and he remains the only NBA MVP to have never reached the conference finals.
Despite the ultimate outcome, Embiid still views the ’25-26 season as a success. He explained why in his postgame press conference.
“I know we lost and I know that’s not the right mentality to have. But for me, this [season] was a success. I came into this season not knowing where I was going to be, how long I was going to play, if I was even going to play based on how the knee was the last few years,” Embiid said.
“I came in just hoping for the best, and I feel like we’re in a position where he figured out the knee. It hasn’t been an issue.”
Given the injuries that he had to overcome, it’s easy to understand why Embiid views the fact that he’s even out on the floor as a success. However, it’s also pretty easy to understand why many Sixers fans won’t view yet another second-round exit throughout those same success-tinted glasses.
Joel Embiid Provided a Positive Health Update After Season
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on November 04, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
It might not be what those Sixers fans want to focus on right now, but the fact that the knee is no longer an issue for Embiid is very encouraging since he still has three more years remaining on his current contract with the team.
Unfortunately for Embiid, other issues hampered him during the final months of the season and into the playoffs, including an oblique strain and undergoing an emergency appendectomy. He fought through all of that to be out on the floor with his teammates, which is commendable.
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