PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers faced another disappointment as they fell to the Brooklyn Nets in a heartbreaking finish, marking their seventh consecutive loss. The game, which ended with a buzzer-beating tip-in from Nic Claxton, saw stars aligned unfavorably when Joel Embiid remained on the bench throughout the fourth quarter.
Embiid, a two-time NBA scoring champion, had a rough outing as he struggled with his shooting, finishing the contest with a mere 14 points over 31 minutes of play. Notably, he missed all six of his attempts from beyond the arc. His absence during the fourth quarter was particularly ironic, given that the 76ers managed an impressive comeback from a 17-point deficit to gain the lead before ultimately losing the game.
After signing a lucrative three-year contract extension worth $193 million in September, Embiid chose not to comment following the loss. His season has been plagued by injuries, particularly concerning his left knee. Earlier in the week, he conveyed his intention to rectify the issues with his knee to regain his previous form as a dominant All-Star.
“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now,” Embiid expressed after a recent loss to Boston. He reflected on the need for improvement, highlighting the struggles with trust that come when he is not performing at his best. So far this season, he has only participated in 19 of the 56 games, with the 76ers holding a record of 20-36 as they strive for a chance at the NBA play-in tournament.
76ers coach Nick Nurse decided to keep Embiid off the court during the fourth quarter, claiming that the players on the court had developed a good rhythm and were performing well. “They had a good feel for the game at that point. Just wanted to let them roll with it,” Nurse explained.
Embiid had faced his own battles last season as well, playing limited games due to a torn meniscus in his knee, which required surgery announced by the 76ers in early February. He successfully returned to the lineup in April and participated in the team’s playoff journey, even securing a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team last summer.
Despite recognizing the limitations of his performance this season, Embiid acknowledges his ongoing effort. Nurse remarked, “He’s giving us what he can. He’s not himself, we all know that. He’s not certainly the guy we’re used to seeing play at a super-high level. I commend him for giving us what he can.”
With challenges mounting, the 76ers are looking to navigate through this tough patch and find a way to reclaim their losing momentum in the upcoming games.
