The Philadelphia 76ers have dealt with a lot of issues with their best players this season. Paul George was suspended for 25 games after using a banned substance. Joel Embiid has had multiple injuries again. Even Tyrese Maxey had a run of missed games.
Embiid was already ruled out against the Rockets due to illness. He has only played 38 games this year after playing just 19 a year ago. His lack of availability is one of the big reasons why Philly sits eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Embiid has now not just been ruled out, but given an official diagnosis of a bigger issue moving forward.
76ers Center Joel Embiid to Have Surgery
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid shoots the ball. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery. It’s likely that he will miss more than just this game against Houston. It would be shocking to see him play the rest of the regular season after this.
The Sixers were finally fully together for the first time all season long before this incident. On the season, Embiid is averaging almost 27 points per game and is shooting almost 49 percent from the field. However, he is averaging a career low in rebounds, only grabbing 7.7 per game.
Without Embiid, Philadelphia might struggle to get out of the play-in. If Embiid is not healthy by the time that rolls around, Philly’s season might end prematurely. That would leave George and Maxey to carry a heavier load in a one-game elimination setting.
Embiid’s extension hasn’t even kicked in yet. He starts a three-year $187.7 million extension next year. With how many injuries Embiid has already gone through, that is a scary proposition for the organization to face. Embiid has little to no trade market because of that contract, as well.
The 76ers have no Clear Timeline for how Much Time Embiid Will Miss
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers Joel Embiid fights for a rebound. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
With Embiid just now getting unexpected surgery, the Sixers don’t know for sure how long he will be out. Embiid is the best player on the roster when he is fully healthy, but that almost never happens. Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe have turned into the players the team rely on.
There is a chance that the Sixers slide down to 10th in the standings, although it’s unlikely. They would have to lose every game down the stretch in order for that to happen. As it stands, the 76ers will almost certainly have to play at least one play-in game.
The Rockets have won seven straight games heading into this game against the 76ers. Without Embiid for this game, it will be tough for Philly to grab enough rebounds and conjure up enough offense to win the game. It will take a huge effort from the backcourt.
Philadelphia has been a loser of three of its last five games heading into Thursday night. They have three games remaining.
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