The whole lot went effectively for the Boston Celtics to start their 2024-25 journey on opening night time, however the identical cannot be stated for his or her Japanese Convention rival, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia’s largest stars Paul George (knee), who signed a $212 million contract with the Sixers this previous offseason in free company, and Joel Embiid (knee) was not wholesome sufficient to play in Wednesday’s season opener in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks. Embiid is predicted to overlook Philadelphia’s first three video games of the yr as a result of accidents, prompting the NBA to open an investigation. in accordance with Shams Charania of ESPN.
Embiid, the league’s reigning MVP final season, was restricted to simply 39 video games as a result of knee accidents through the 2023-24 marketing campaign. He averaged 34.7 factors with 11 rebounds and 5.6 assists, however as soon as it got here time to face the New York Knicks within the first spherical of the playoffs, though current, Embiid was not in full well being. When it got here time to affix Crew USA for the Paris Olympics, Embiid managed to play in six video games (5 begins) averaging 11.2 factors and three.8 rebounds, serving to the all-star staff to complete with a gold medal.
“If I needed to guess, I might most likely by no means play back-to-back the remainder of my profession. » Embiid instructed ESPN’s Tim Bontemps earlier this month.
The plan behind Philadelphia’s load administration system is easy: preserve Embiid contemporary for the playoffs. It is turn into a relentless problem for Embiid to be prepared in time for the playoffs and with groups just like the Celtics, Bucks, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers desirous to contend, the Sixers can shortly discover themselves left behind. Philadelphia’s entrance workplace invested closely so as to add George, a nine-time All-Star, and to retain guard Tyrese Maxey — on a $204 million extension. Subsequently, combating from begin to end is important for the group.
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Boston kicked off its title protection with out Kristaps Porzingis, who is predicted to overlook the primary few months of the season, by crushing the new-look Knicks. Milwaukee finds its star Giannis Antetokounmpo alongside Damian Lillard. Indiana, after falling quick within the convention finals, is in search of its remaining breakthrough underneath Tyrese Haliburton, final yr’s NBA assists chief (10.9). Will probably be tough sufficient for head coach Nick Nurse to work with out Embiid – maybe for half the season – however to acclimate a brand new staff, it creates a good larger problem for Philadelphia to keep away from disappointment – once more as soon as.
“Look, I don’t know about (the investigation),” the nurse instructed reporters Wednesday. by CBS Philadelphia. “Nobody from our group has stated something to me about this. So so far as the investigation goes, I do not actually know.
The Sixers began 13-year veteran Andre Drummond instead of Embiid on opening night time.
