Joel Embiid played through “painful” plantar fasciitis in his right foot during the Philadelphia 76ers’ victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday. His comments afterward about managing the injury have raised concerns in the NBA world.

The 76ers won 126-107 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with the seven-time All-Star playing under a minutes restriction after entering the game listed as questionable.

Joel Embiid’s Plantar Fasciitis Draws Concern From NBA Community

The 2023 NBA MVP finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in 25 minutes before reaching his restriction late in the third quarter.

Afterward, Embiid described what managing the condition has been like.

“It’s been going on like that for the last few. So yeah, it’s painful. Just got to manage it, and when it flares up pretty bad, got to take a step back. But yeah, we’ve been able to manage it, but it has its ups and downs,” he said.

Embiid added, “You feel it on the court, so it certainly doesn’t help.”

The comments prompted alarm across social media.

“Joel Embiid is going to be the downfall of the Sixers,” one fan wrote.

The same fan continued, “If the playoffs started today, sure, the Sixers have a solid chance of coming out of the East. But if this is his health just a few games into the season, how can you expect him to be healthy for multiple playoff series to win a championship?”

Embiid also missed an Oct. 25 game against the Detroit Pistons because of plantar fasciitis management. NBC Sports Philadelphia reported that the 76ers had planned to rest him for one game of that back-to-back.

YouTuber Marz Talks Sports also reacted to the news:

“It’s over.”

The two-time scoring champion has dealt with plantar fasciitis before. In October 2022, he described how the condition had affected him that summer.

“Over time, it just kept getting worse and worse and worse. And then it got to the point where I couldn’t walk, and it was really painful,” the star big man revealed.

Philadelphia entered Wednesday at 7-1, leading the Eastern Conference despite managing Embiid’s workload. He also sat out Saturday’s 109-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Expectations are high for a Philadelphia team that has added considerable star power. Monday’s starting lineup featured LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe alongside Embiid.

“This supposed to be the year bro,” one fan tweeted.

“Genuinely trade however many firsts you need for a quality backup,” another fan wrote.

Influencer Big Fazo also joined the discussion:

“Anthony Davis get Rich Paul on the phone RIGHT NOW.”

Davis, currently with the Washington Wizards, and James are both represented by the Klutch Sports CEO. The fan was suggesting Philadelphia seek out a trade for the former Los Angeles Lakers center.

Embiid wasn’t listed on Philadelphia’s initial injury report for Wednesday’s rematch with Detroit, which handed the 76ers their only loss of the season on Oct. 25.

Philadelphia’s next back-to-back is Nov. 15 and 16. The team has already rested Embiid on the second night of two back-to-backs this season, and how his foot responds to continued workload management will remain central to the 76ers’ hopes of sustaining their strong start.