Less than two months ago, Joel Embiid made headlines by scoring 70 points in a single game. However, his recent absence due to knee surgery has significantly impacted the Philadelphia 76ers’ performance. This week, the team struggled to even reach 70 points collectively in a game, emphasizing their reliance on Embiid’s scoring prowess.
Despite the challenges, the 76ers managed to secure a victory against the New York Knicks, ending a three-game losing streak. However, their struggles without Embiid have been evident, with a notable loss to the New Orleans Pelicans where they fell behind by 35 points.
Coach Nick Nurse expressed the difficulty of coping with injuries and absences, emphasizing the need for improvement from the remaining players.
While Philadelphia’s recent win over New York was a relief, their overall standing in the Eastern Conference has been affected. Currently, in sixth place, just ahead of the play-in round cutoff, the 76ers face the possibility of being drawn into the postseason preliminary stage.
This scenario underscores the significance of the play-in round, which has seen notable teams make significant playoff runs in recent years.
The potential lineup for this season’s play-in round promises to be star-studded, with renowned players like Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant potentially facing early elimination.
Joel Embiid’s participation in the play-in round remains uncertain as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Despite his absence, the 76ers have managed to maintain a decent record but have felt his impact on the court.
