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 evening.
It’s no secret why the Sixers are struggling: Joel Embiid nonetheless hasn’t performed a sport as he works his manner again from what the staff is looking “left knee administration.” Paul George additionally missed video games in the beginning of the season together 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 not less than two weeks after exiting the Clippers sport with a hamstring harm. Right here’s the newest 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 Japanese Convention is trash as soon as once more. Embiid could 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. Thus far, 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 previous in March. The wear and tear-and-tear on Embiid’s physique is rarely 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 accessible and carry the staff whereas Maxey is out. Maxey emerged as an ascendant star and ideal match subsequent to Embiid final 12 months, utilizing his superhuman pace to provide a jolt to what had been a stagnant Philadelphia offense. When the Sixers signed Paul George this summer time, it was alleged to kind a tailored “massive 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 an absence of depth on the Sixers. Caleb Martin can’t hit a shot proper now, with a 44.9 true capturing share that’s manner beneath league common. Kelly Oubre Jr. has been a bit of higher, however he’s nonetheless solely capturing 30 % from three on the 12 months and has 12 turnovers to solely eight assists so far. Kyle Lowry (who has been excellent) and Eric Gordon simply really feel too previous to depend on for giant minutes each evening.
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 scenario together with his personal decide.
The Sixers’ 2025 first-round draft decide is traded to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, nevertheless it’s top-6 protected. Philly is at present tied for the most effective 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 harm set-back, or if George or Maxey face extra prolonged absences … is there a situation the place the Sixers would punt on the season to attempt to hold their decide?
To be clear, there’s nonetheless manner an excessive amount of basketball left for that sort 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 powerful out for any staff. Even at 1-6, the Sixers nonetheless have some championship fairness that many groups manner 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 not less than, Philly wants to indicate it may well win video games instantly earlier than their place within the standings actually begins to get scary.
