Most things went right for Team USA in their exhibition game against Canada. The star-studded roster survived their rival’s dominant start and successfully turned the game. All notable names performed. Stephen Curry was shooting the lights out, a young Anthony Edwards led all the scorers and Anthony Davis was imposing. However, they still looked far from being a team. And one of the primary reasons for it could be the limited contributions of Joel Embiid.

From stats alone, it’s tough to comprehend that the 2023 KIA MVP was named a starter. In a matter of 12 minutes, Embiid fouled out compiling 5 points and 6 rebounds while summiting four turnovers. It seemed like he was still recouping from his injured knee which restricted him to just 39 games in the regular season. His miserable debut made Chris Broussard question his place within this super team.

“He fouled out. Five fouls in 12 minutes. And he didn’t look healthy. He looked like he was laboring. All the commentary after the game was that he is laboring. He is still coming back from that injury you know. He is still not a hundred percent. Then why are you playing? You need to get healthy for the Sixers season. I don’t know if Joel saw they just spent a lot of money on Paul George and others and I don’t know that this is going to help him be healthy,” Broussard furiously explained.

A few days ago, Kawhi Leonard left for the same reason. The Clippers and Team USA agreed he needed to spend the summer resting to be prepared for the upcoming NBA season with the Clippers. With Embiid, the Sixers stayed aggressive throughout the post-season and secured some championship-caliber components to ensure they could win. But they are not winning if they are lacking a Joel Embiid.

Before Embiid got hurt last year, the Sixers were among the best team in the NBA losing just 8 games with the monstrous center. His production was absurd and on a path to rewrite history books. As soon as he suffered an ailment, the Sixers mostly fell apart. They only achieved a playoff berth thanks to Tyrese Maxey’s breakout season.

It’s vital that Joel Embiid not only returns fully fit but also well-rested to sustain an entire 82-game season. Philly has moved to high gear in their chase for a championship. However, there is no ambition for a title if Embiid gets injured again.

Joel Embiid is willing to go with the flow

It’s not that these injury concerns popped up overnight. Ever since the two-time scoring champion committed to Team USA, questions were raised. Remember, Embiid was just months out of his post-season injury woes when he decided to take part in the Olympics. That was always going to be a concern.

However, the Sixers talisman isn’t among those who limit themselves due to such scares. “It came up but I never worry about injuries because the moment I do I feel I’m not going to be the same. I think if something happens then it was meant to happen, so I just go with the flow. For me, being part of the Olympics was always the goal. It was an opportunity and a chance I couldn’t pass up. And I don’t think there is a big risk,” he told NBA.com.

It doesn’t seem Joel Embiid will pull out of the Paris Olympics. He is fully determined to fulfill his dreams and win a gold medal with Team USA. As for the Sixers, they can only hope that the physicality and the unrelenting nature of international basketball don’t hamper Embiid in the upcoming season.