Battling 'Frustrating' Knee Issues, Ex-76ers Star Refuses to Take Joel Embiid's Way Out of His Misery

Ex-Sixers star Jahlil Okafor won't consider season-ending surgery like teammate Joel Embiid.

Jahlil Okafor remains committed to playing through lingering right knee soreness, even as the Philadelphia 76ers center continues to struggle on the court.

Okafor, 22, has missed the past two games and is questionable for Monday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The former No. 3 overall pick is averaging just 6.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 22.2 minutes per game this season, well below his career averages of 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Embiid, meanwhile, underwent season-ending surgery on his left knee last week.

The All-Star center has been dealing with a torn meniscus in his left knee since March, and he opted to have surgery to repair the damage.

Okafor said he has no plans to follow Embiid's lead and undergo season-ending surgery.

"I'm not going to do that," Okafor said. "I'm going to keep playing through it. I'm not going to let this injury stop me."

Okafor acknowledged that his knee is still bothering him, but he said he is confident that he can play through the pain.

"It's still frustrating," Okafor said. "But I'm just trying to stay positive and keep working hard."

76ers coach Brett Brown said he admires Okafor's toughness, but he also understands that the center is not at 100 percent.

"He's a warrior," Brown said. "But he's not playing at the level that we know he can play at. We're going to continue to support him and help him get back to where he needs to be."

The 76ers are 11-10 this season, good for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.