The Philadelphia 76ers were looking like championship contenders during the first two or three months of this season, but ever since superstar center Joel Embiid suffered a meniscus injury, they have been in limbo.
He had surgery as a result, and there has been speculation that he could be done for the season as a result.
But per Ramona Shelburne, they’re feeling optimistic about the chances of Embiid coming back to game action before the end of the regular season.
The 76ers are optimistic about Joel Embiid returning at some point during the regular season, per @ramonashelburne. pic.twitter.com/wcNtBovA0I
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 21, 2024
The 7-footer, who is the reigning regular season MVP, looked to be on his way to a second straight MVP, as he averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.8 blocked shots a game before suffering his injury.
But because of that injury, he will not be able to appear in enough games to qualify for awards such as the MVP.
Very recently, the Sixers were in third place in the Eastern Conference, but they have now fallen to fifth place and have lost nine of their last 12 games.
The absence of a dominant player such as Embiid creates big problems for any team, and the emergence of Tyrese Maxey as a legitimate star or the acquisition of sharpshooter Buddy Hield hasn’t been enough to keep Philly afloat.
Despite boasting one of the NBA’s more talented teams over the last few years, Philly hasn’t made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, and thus the “process” that Embiid has touted is incomplete.
Embiid has a history of knee injuries, and one has to again wonder if he’s capable of staying healthy long-term.
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