Philadelphia Struggles Without Embiid, Looks to Manage His Health with New Season-Long Strategy
The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a shaky 1-3 start this season, struggling in the absence of their MVP centerpiece, Joel Embiid, and star forward Paul George. Both players have been sidelined with knee injuries, but according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Embiid’s return might be just around the corner, potentially as soon as Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Embiid, who dealt with knee issues throughout his career, played through the summer with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, showing no signs of injury. However, the Sixers are taking a cautious approach to ensure their franchise player is healthy come playoff time. Charania reports that Embiid has recently completed multiple five-on-five scrimmages as part of his ramp-up phase, and team staff have scheduled workouts on Thursday and Friday to further assess his readiness.
Without Embiid, the Sixers have struggled to compete, with two of their three losses by double digits. Their only win came in an overtime nail-biter against the Pacers. For a team with championship aspirations, the absence of their star center has been glaring. Philadelphia’s new game plan is aimed at keeping Embiid fresh and healthy for a deep playoff run. This season, the Sixers are implementing “periodic time off” and routine checkups for Embiid, prioritizing his long-term health over heavy minutes early in the season.
The Sixers’ season outlook hinges on Embiid’s return and this new approach to managing his knee health. For fans in Philadelphia, the wait for their MVP’s debut may soon be over, bringing renewed hope as the team seeks to climb the standings and position themselves as serious contenders in the East.
