PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid is poised for a return to the Philadelphia 76ers this week, assuming no further injuries occur, which is always a possibility with the towering 7-footer. After achieving gold in the Olympics, signing a contract extension, and managing a knee issue, Embiid has also been embroiled in controversies including two NBA investigations, a confrontation with a columnist, and receiving a technical foul for his bench antics.

The challenges for the 76ers are compounded by their struggles without Embiid, as they are currently one of the least successful teams in the league. The team is optimistic about turning their luck around when Embiid makes his eagerly awaited first start of the season against the New York Knicks. This matchup marks the beginning of the NBA Cup round-robin, and Embiid’s last appearance for the 76ers was in May when they were ousted by New York in the playoffs.

As a seasoned seven-time All-Star, Embiid is returning from what the organization has categorized as left knee management, coinciding with the conclusion of a suspension stemming from an incident with a media member. The 76ers are in dire need of his presence, sitting with a record of 2-7 and languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference rankings. “Without the big fellow, we’re not where we want to be,” noted new player Paul George. “His incredible talent is vital to our success. When he’s on the court, it eases the workload for everyone else.”

Yet, the 76ers’ troubles are not solely tied to Embiid’s absence. George himself, who was anticipated to be a significant acquisition this summer, has only participated in four games due to his own knee issues. This situation resulted in him being limited during a recent victory against Charlotte. Tyrese Maxey, last season’s All-Star and a standout in the league’s most improved player race, is also facing time on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the team’s backup centers André Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele are unable to replicate Embiid’s exceptional performance.

“We’re still in the process of figuring things out,” George explained. “I’m working on getting back into playing shape. We’re showing flashes of competitiveness and effort. The key message has been to give it our all on the court despite the setbacks.”

Embiid has been the central figure of the 76ers since his rookie campaign, but his absence this season has been filled with challenges. While some troubles have arisen from his own actions, other issues have been muddled and frustrations are growing as he sits out more games. The big man has stated he will not participate in back-to-back games this season, confirming he will sit out against Cleveland. Fans in Philadelphia have already started to see the impact on ticket prices, with deals for the upcoming game being as low as $10 in the upper section.

Confidence in the 76ers’ capability to secure a championship with Embiid seems to be waning quickly, paralleling the drop in ticket prices. Despite being the recipient of the 2023 NBA MVP title, Embiid recently faced backlash from a local columnist after the author mentioned his late brother and son, both named Arthur, in critiques of Embiid’s professionalism and conditioning following his performances in the Paris Olympics.

The NBA previously penalized the 76ers with a $100,000 fine due to statements made by team officials that contradicted Embiid’s injury status and violated league policies, including those governing player participation.

The organization has been transparent about their strategy to manage Embiid’s playing time this season, aiming to maintain his health for a potential playoff run, marking the first such opportunity in his career. However, fans are left pondering what the future holds if a playoff appearance does not materialize.

On a brighter note, Cleveland and Boston are currently the only teams in the Eastern Conference with winning records heading into Monday’s games, suggesting the potential for the 76ers to revitalize their season with a strong showing from Embiid. Presently, the 76ers have records that only outperform those of Milwaukee and Toronto.

Looking back, it’s easy to speculate that had Embiid remained healthy throughout his tenure, Coach Doc Rivers might still be coaching the 76ers and leading them deeper into the playoffs. “Joel hasn’t done anything wrong,” Rivers commented on opening night. “It’s just a matter of circumstances. We have guidelines to follow, backed by scientific insights. Joel is a uniquely gifted player whose movements are extraordinary for someone of his size. This physicality brings its challenges, especially considering his immense talent.”