Joel Embiid (21) of the Philadelphia 76ers drives previous Jalen Wilson (22) of the Brooklyn Nets through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photograph/Frank Franklin II)Supply: put up
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — With out a wholesome Joel Embiid, the 76ers weren’t anticipated to contend for an NBA title.
However be taken away within the ultimate seconds earlier than narrowly falling humble Washington?
Or worse, dropping to the eight-win Pelicans simply hours after the star ahead Zion Willamson was suspended a recreation to interrupt group guidelines?
Philadelphia’s ultimate worst lack of the season got here Friday night time when CJ McCollum broke free for 38 factors to guide New Orleans to a Victory 123-115.
A two-time NBA scoring champion, Embiid was powerless to assist the Sixers once more after lacking his third straight recreation with a sprained left foot. He has already been absent 23 instances this season. He additionally missed video games resulting from left knee soreness, a sinus fracture and a three-game suspension for altercation with a journalist within the locker room.
Embiid has solely performed in 13 video games this season. The Sixers are 7-6 with Embiid and 8-15 with out him — add that up, and it is a 15-21 document for a group that has All-Stars Paul George and Tyrese Maxey and is out of the Jap Convention playoff standings.
“We’re undoubtedly higher with Joel, that’s a truth,” George stated. “We’re higher with the large man again within the lineup with us.”
Coach Nick Nurse stated the group does not suppose Embiid’s damage is a long-term concern. OK, possibly the foot feels higher after a bye week and Embiid performs Sunday in Orlando. Given his lengthy damage historical past relationship again to when he missed the whole lot of his first two full NBA seasons, there is no such thing as a assure that Embiid will be capable of survive the rest of the NBA season unscathed.
2022-23 NBA MVP, Embiid is averaging 24.4 factors and seven.9 rebounds this season, under his profession averages.
George was inconsistent within the first season of his four-year, $212 million contract. He struggled with accidents and his capturing in his first season in Philadelphia and did not fairly discover the constant rhythm anticipated of the nine-time All-Star. For instance, towards New Orleans, George had a bucket and three fouls at 8:13 of the second quarter. Within the second half, George made 5 3s and scored 23 of his 25 factors.
Maxey scored 30 factors in 40 minutes and continues to log heavy minutes making an attempt to hold the scoring load in Embiid’s absence.
“It appeared to me like we did not fairly have the pop vitality we would have liked for the total recreation,” Nurse stated.
After a 3-14 begin, the 76ers appeared to show themselves proper, profitable 10 of 13 video games, together with a Christmas victory in Boston. As soon as the schedule was reversed, the 76ers have since misplaced 4 of six.
As soon as once more, the 76ers had the MRI machine buzzing.
The 76ers additionally performed with out Andre Drummond (sprained left toe), Kyle Lowry (sprained proper hip) and KJ Martin (left foot). They dominated out promising rookie Jared McCain for the rest of the season on Thursday after surgical procedure on his left knee final month following a torn meniscus.
“It’s powerful with guys out and in of the lineup,” Maxey stated. “As quickly as we get some continuity, as quickly as we begin being fluid, guys miss (video games). It is actually tough. Guys need to form of change roles each night time. It places strain on us, man. We miss Jo, we miss Paul, we miss KJ. It is laborious to win on this league whenever you’re not wholesome.
McCain, 20, spent one season at Duke earlier than the Sixers made him their first-round choose in 2024. McCain — the sixteenth total choice — acquired off to a incredible begin and averaged 15.3 factors in 23 matches. He began eight video games and immediately grew to become a fan favourite, thanks largely to accumulating practically 5 million followers as a TikTok sensation.
“He was not solely an ideal match for our group, he actually had a optimistic impression on the group,” Nurse stated. “I believe any rookie picked on this bracket that is available in and rises to the highest of all of the rookies is a credit score to the participant and the group as properly.”
Can the 76ers play in bubble wrap?
They will want Embiid, George and Maxey at full energy with a looming schedule that features video games this week towards the Magic and residential video games towards Oklahoma Metropolis and the New York Knicks. They then hit the street to play Indiana, Milwaukee and Denver. All of those groups have profitable data.
“There’s a form of desperation that we’ve got to begin enjoying with,” George stated. “Watch each recreation prefer it’s necessary. At this level, each recreation counts. It is not going to get any simpler. We misplaced tonight. This is not going to discredit their play tonight, however it is a group we should always have overwhelmed. We have to remove groups like this. That is the form of group we must be if we wish to compete and be one of many groups standing on the finish.
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