The Philadelphia 76ers have been alleged to be a championship contender this season. As an alternative, Philly is tied for the worst report within the NBA out of the beginning gates, falling to 1-6 on the 12 months after one other loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night time.
It’s no secret why the Sixers are struggling: Joel Embiid nonetheless hasn’t performed a recreation as he works his method again from what the workforce is asking “left knee administration.” Paul George additionally missed video games firstly of the season together with his personal knee damage, although he returned to the lineup this week. With Embiid lastly scheduled to debut on Tuesday vs. the New York Knicks, the Sixers have been dealt one other horrible damage blow within the type of star guard Tyrese Maxey’s strained hamstring.
Maxey is predicted to overlook no less than two weeks after exiting the Clippers recreation with a hamstring damage. Right here’s the most recent replace from ESPN’s Shams Charania:
The Sixers are in massive hassle. Sure, there’s than 70 video games remaining within the season. Sure, the Jap Convention is trash as soon as once more. Embiid could be coming again, however there are some critical issues in Philadelphia that threaten to derail this season earlier than it ever actually begins.
Embiid has spoken in regards to the psychological hurdle he’s experiencing getting back from this damage. Thus far, it’s unimaginable to know what sort of situation he’s in. Embiid seemingly misses half his video games yearly, and he’s been battling knee and again accidents since he got here into the league in 2014. These are scary accidents for a 7-foot, 280-pound heart who turns 31 years outdated in March. The wear and tear-and-tear on Embiid’s physique isn’t going away, and the Sixers’ season has began so poorly that the concept of purely “saving him for the playoffs” now feels far-fetched.
The Sixers want Embiid to be out there and carry the workforce whereas Maxey is out. Maxey emerged as an ascendant star and ideal match subsequent to Embiid final 12 months, utilizing his superhuman velocity to provide a jolt to what had been a stagnant Philadelphia offense. When the Sixers signed Paul George this summer season, it was alleged to kind a tailored “massive three” that may permit Embiid some nights off, however George’s personal pesky damage has slowed him down, too.
There may be in fact no substitute for a expertise like Embiid, however the stars’ accidents have uncovered an absence of depth on the Sixers. Caleb Martin can’t hit a shot proper now, with a 44.9 true taking pictures proportion that’s method under league common. Kelly Oubre Jr. has been slightly higher, however he’s nonetheless solely taking pictures 30 p.c from three on the 12 months and has 12 turnovers to solely eight assists to this point. Kyle Lowry (who has been excellent) and Eric Gordon simply really feel too outdated to depend on for giant minutes each night time.
The Sixers’ margin for error is shrinking quickly. Whereas it’s too early to start out worrying in regards to the 2025 NBA Draft but, Philly additionally has a singular state of affairs together with his personal decide.
The Sixers’ 2025 first-round draft decide is traded to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, however it’s top-6 protected. Philly is at present tied for the perfect odds for the No. 1 decide, however that received’t final as soon as Embiid comes again. The query is that if Embiid suffers an damage set-back, or if George or Maxey face extra prolonged absences … is there a state of affairs the place the Sixers would punt on the season to attempt to preserve their decide?
To be clear, there’s nonetheless method an excessive amount of basketball left for that type of discuss. Nothing in regards to the Sixers’ massive image has actually modified after 2+ weeks of the brand new season: if Embiid (particularly) and George are wholesome for the playoffs, Philly goes to be a really robust out for any workforce. Even at 1-6, the Sixers nonetheless have some championship fairness that many groups method increased up within the standings can’t match.
The margins are simply getting slimmer by the day for the Sixers. With Maxey out for a pair weeks no less than, Philly wants to indicate it might win video games instantly earlier than their place within the standings actually begins to get scary.
