PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers were not anticipated to vie for an NBA championship without a healthy Joel Embiid in their lineup. However, their recent performances have raised eyebrows, particularly during a close contest against the struggling Washington team and a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans—who had only eight wins and just lost star forward Zion Williamson to a suspension for violating team rules.
In their latest gameplay, CJ McCollum stole the spotlight by scoring 38 points, guiding the Pelicans to a 123-115 victory over Philadelphia. Unfortunately, Embiid was unavailable for the matchup, marking his third consecutive game missed due to a sprained left foot. This season has seen him sidelined a staggering 23 times, with additional absences stemming from left knee discomfort, a sinus fracture, and a suspension linked to a locker room incident with a reporter.
Embiid has only taken the court in 13 games this season, with the 76ers managing a 7-6 record while he plays and falling to 8-15 in his absence. This equates to a disappointing overall record of 15-21 for a team that boasts All-Stars like Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, currently drifting out of the Eastern Conference playoff race. “It’s a fact that we’re a better team with Joel on the floor,” stated George. “His presence in the lineup is critical.”
Coach Nick Nurse expressed optimism, believing Embiid’s injury isn’t something that should be a lasting issue. There’s hope that after some time off, he could return for the game against Orlando. However, the reality of his long-standing injury history raises questions about his ability to navigate the remainder of the season without further health setbacks.
Embiid, who was the 2022-23 NBA MVP, has been averaging 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds this season, figures lower than his typical career stats. Meanwhile, George has had a challenging start in his first year on a four-year, $212 million deal, grappling with injuries and inconsistent shooting. During the game against the Pelicans, George had a tough time early on but rallied in the second half, finishing with 25 points, including five three-pointers. Maxey continues to bear much of the scoring responsibility, scoring 30 points during his 40-minute stint on the court.
“We lacked the necessary energy and intensity throughout the game,” Nurse noted.
After a rough beginning with a 3-14 record, the 76ers managed to turn things around, winning ten of thirteen games, which included a key Christmas victory in Boston. However, entering the new year, their form has dipped again, losing four of their last six games. The team remains plagued by injuries, having also missed players like Andre Drummond due to a left toe sprain, Kyle Lowry with a hip issue, and rookie KJ Martin, who is out with a left foot injury. Additionally, promising rookie Jared McCain was ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery.
“It’s tough when players are constantly in and out of the lineup,” Maxey remarked. “Just when we start to find some rhythm, someone else has to sit out. It presents a challenge as we are forced to adapt our roles frequently. We’re really feeling the absence of Jo, Paul, and K.J. It’s not easy to secure wins when the roster is not healthy.”
McCain, who spent one season at Duke before being the 16th overall pick in the 2024 draft by the 76ers, made a remarkable impact in his early games, averaging 15.3 points across 23 appearances. He quickly became a fan favorite, especially with his burgeoning TikTok following.
“Jared was not just a great acquisition for our team, but he also positively influenced our gameplay,” added Nurse. “His quick rise among all rookies speaks volumes about both his talent and the organization’s ability to scout effectively.”
As the 76ers look ahead, the pressing question remains: can they maintain their competitiveness while dealing with frequent injuries? They’ll need Embiid, George, and Maxey to be functioning at near full capacity as they prepare for upcoming games against the Magic and home games against Oklahoma City and the New York Knicks. Following that, a challenging road trip awaits, featuring games at Indiana, Milwaukee, and Denver—all strong teams with winning records.
“There’s a sense of urgency that we must embrace moving forward,” George asserted. “We need to treat each game like it’s crucial. From this point onward, every match counts. Losing to a team we should have beaten like tonight is disheartening, and we must learn to finish off teams like this if we aim to be serious contenders.”
