As the Philadelphia 76ers embark on the new NBA season, they find themselves without the cornerstone presence of Joel Embiid, whose absence is keenly felt amid an already turbulent start. The Sixers' record stands at 2-12 after fourteen games—a clear indicator of the challenges they face without their star player.
Embiid, dealing with persistent swelling in his left knee, is set to miss yet another crucial matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, extending his absence which began with Friday night's game against the Brooklyn Nets. These missed games bring Embiid's total to twelve for "left knee management" purposes.
Despite appearing in only four games this season, Embiid's influence on the court is undisputed, and his decision to sit out of training camp and the preseason has been a topic of discussion among fans and analysts alike. His participation in Team USA's gold-medal campaign during the summer Olympics provided him with a platform to showcase his talents globally. However, it has perhaps contributed to the current management of his knee issues.
Compounding the 76ers' predicament is the absence of Clippers' star Paul George, who will also miss the upcoming game after hyperextending his left knee for the second time in a month. The duel with the Clippers would have tested both teams differently, but apart from George, the broader issue for the Sixers remains the need to find consistency and a winning formula without Embiid on the floor.
The 76ers' immediate future does seem to offer a sliver of hope. Seven of their next twelve matchups are against teams with losing records—a potential opportunity for Philadelphia to turn the tide. Yet, this precarious position may spark discussions on the team's strategy and potential restructuring should their struggles continue without significant improvement.
Amidst these challenges, Embiid himself remains a focal point of both concern and optimism for Philadelphia. Earlier this season, he caused a stir when he suggested he might not participate in both sides of back-to-back games. However, "He's since walked that back a bit and admitted that he was trolling with that response," reflecting both his centrality to the team's plans and his ability to influence narratives around the Sixers.
The upcoming stretch of games will test the mettle of a team searching for identity in a season quickly slipping away from them. While the possibility of Embiid's return could reinvigorate their campaign, his ongoing absence necessitates a recalibration of their strategy to avoid being swept away by a challenging season's current. With the potential for internal evaluation looming, the Sixers' path forward will require not only skill on the court but also strategic maneuvering off it.