The Philadelphia 76ers have been presupposed to be a championship contender this season. As a substitute, Philly is tied for the worst document within the NBA out of the beginning gates, falling to 1-6 on the yr after one other loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday evening.
It’s no secret why the Sixers are struggling: Joel Embiid nonetheless hasn’t performed a recreation as he works his means again from what the crew is asking “left knee administration.” Paul George additionally missed video games firstly of the season along with his personal knee harm, 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 harm blow within the type of star guard Tyrese Maxey’s strained hamstring.
Maxey is anticipated to overlook no less than two weeks after exiting the Clippers recreation with a hamstring harm. Right here’s the newest replace from ESPN’s Shams Charania:
The Sixers are in large hassle. Sure, there’s than 70 video games remaining within the season. Sure, the Japanese Convention is trash as soon as once more. Embiid may be coming again, however there are some severe 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 harm. Up to now, it’s not possible 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 These are scary accidents for a 7-foot, 280-pound heart who turns 31 years outdated in March.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 damage-and-tear on Embiid’s physique is rarely going away, and the Sixers’ season has began so poorly that the thought of purely “saving him for the playoffs” now feels far-fetched.
The Sixers want Embiid to be obtainable and carry the crew whereas Maxey is out. Maxey emerged as an ascendant star and excellent match subsequent to Embiid final yr, utilizing his superhuman pace to provide a jolt to what had been a stagnant Philadelphia offense. When the Sixers signed Paul George this summer season, it was presupposed to type a tailored “large three” that might permit Embiid some nights off, however George’s personal pesky harm has slowed him down, too.
There may be in fact no alternative for a expertise like Embiid, however the stars’ accidents have uncovered a scarcity of depth on the Sixers. Caleb Martin can’t hit a shot proper now, with a 44.9 true capturing share that’s means beneath league common. Kelly Oubre Jr. has been a bit higher, however he’s nonetheless solely capturing 30 p.c from three on the yr 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 evening.
The Sixers’ margin for error is shrinking quickly. Whereas it’s too early to begin worrying in regards to the 2025 NBA Draft but, Philly additionally has a singular state of affairs along with his personal choose.
The Sixers’ 2025 first-round draft choose is traded to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, however it’s top-6 protected. Philly is at present tied for one of the best odds for the No. 1 choose, however that received’t final as soon as Embiid comes again. The query is that if Embiid suffers an harm 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 choose?
To be clear, there’s nonetheless means an excessive amount of basketball left for that type of speak. Nothing in regards to the Sixers’ large 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 crew. Even at 1-6, the Sixers nonetheless have some championship fairness that many groups means 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 will possibly win video games instantly earlier than their place within the standings actually begins to get scary.
