Will the Philadelphia 76ers Make it to the Playoffs without Embiid?
Photo By: Chris Kirsch
With the first round of the NBA playoffs less than a month away, teams around the league are focusing on their impending schedule and trying to stay healthy.
Between now and the commencement of playoff games on April 20th, a significant amount of regular-season basketball is still waiting to be played. This time is crucial for many teams, seeing that it will cement their seedings.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, their current goal is staying in the play-in schedule, which is doable; however, the way the team has been playing has fans biting their nails.
Injuries are heavily to blame for this. On February 6th, standout center and former MVP Joel Embiid underwent meniscus surgery on his left knee.
The impact of losing Embiid, who is detrimental to the 76er’s success, has been evident. Prior to his absence, the team wavered between the second and third spot in the Eastern Conference Standings. Now, sitting in the eighth spot, the 76ers have been sinking fast.
In 34 games this season, Embiid averaged 35.5 points per game, 11.3 rebounds per game, 5.7 assists per game, 1.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals. His 53.3 shooting percentage from the field and ability to play make kept the team at the top.
Since his absence, Philly has played 26 games, where they have only gone 10-16. Injury has plagued Embiid this season, hurting his team significantly. In total, without Embiid on the floor, the 76ers have gone 13-24, and only put up 108.1 points per game.
Joel Embiid returned to practice for the first time since his Jan. 30 knee injury, per @PompeyOnSixers
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 19, 2024
“The Sixers are hopeful Embiid returns the first or second week of April.”
(Via https://t.co/l5acQ1OfY7) pic.twitter.com/y6QW30Zoye
Further, the 76ers have had on and off injuries for many players, including Robert Covington and Kyle Lowry.
With standout players including Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and Kelly Oubre Jr., the 76ers hope that their team can come together and keep their play-in spot prior to the return of Embiid, who hopes to come back slowly in the next 2-3 weeks before playoffs begin.
The NBA playoffs are a different kind of basketball, one that is faster, more physical, and strenuous. It is what teams work up to all regular season, and the 76ers are going to need Embiid to be the superstar that we know he is capable of.
Time will tell if Embiid will be ready for the playoff run, or if his absence has been too big of a hit for the 76ers, and they cannot recoup enough to make it into the play-in.
Photo By: David Dow
