Orlando, Florida – The Philadelphia 76ers have been eager to see Joel Embiid on the court for a complete 33 minutes, and that moment finally arrived on Friday night. Unfortunately, it coincided with a disappointing 98-86 defeat against the Orlando Magic, pushing the 76ers’ record to a troubling 2-10.
Following the game, Embiid expressed optimism despite the loss, noting, “It usually takes me a couple of games to get back to my rhythm. Today felt like a significant step forward.” He managed to score 20 points and grab eight rebounds, but it was the team’s struggles in the fourth quarter that cost them the game. “We’re still figuring things out as a new team. Our organization on the court wasn’t where it needed to be. While our defense held up, we became careless with turnovers, starting with my own. Offensively, we were lacking decisiveness. Those are fixable issues,” he added.
Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, had missed the first ten games of the season due to knee management issues and a subsequent three-game suspension. In his return, he faced challenges, racking up six turnovers and shooting just five for 15 from the floor, including failing to convert on any of his five attempts from beyond the arc. “By the second half, I felt a heaviness in my legs, and it seemed like every shot was short,” he admitted.
Coach Nick Nurse also recognized the physical demands placed on Embiid during the game, saying, “He might have been struggling with some fatigue. The Magic did a solid job of applying pressure, making it tough for us to execute effectively as the shot clock wound down.”
The 76ers’ poor start this season is largely tied to the significant absences of key players like Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, each missing multiple games. Friday’s match was deemed crucial, with Nurse labeling it a “do-or-die game” in regards to their chances in the NBA Cup competition.
“We’re all still in a process of trying to nail down our identity,” George stated. “While that’s no excuse for our current performance, I believe we’ll begin to solidify who we are as a team. It’s disheartening that it’s taking longer than anticipated, but there’s plenty of season left.”
Is there enough time to recover from a 2-10 start? Embiid acknowledged the difficulty, saying, “With our current record, it’s hard not to pay attention to it. We’ve faced various challenges, especially with players being sidelined. The greatest hurdle is the number of new faces in the team. It will naturally take time for everyone to sync and find their rhythm on the court.”