Joel Embiid Injury: 76ers Rally Around 37yo All-Star to Lead Tyrese Maxey and Co. to Playoffs

Joel Embiid has been one of the standout players of the NBA for the past couple of seasons. The Philadelphia 76ers have greatly benefited from his otherworldly abilities, and this season is no different. Embiid started the season on fire, averaging a league-high 35.3 points, along with 11.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists before 30th January. However, on 30th January, Embiid sustained a lateral meniscus tear against the Warriors.

Since then, Joel Embiid hasn’t played a single minute in the NBA. On 6th February, the Sixers stated that Embiid will be re-evaluated in four weeks. But it looks like Embiid will be sidelined for much longer. Philly has struggled without Embiid, as they have slid down the Eastern Conference standings to the fifth seed.

In a recent interview, Joel Embiid stated that he plans on returning this season, but it also depends on how he feels. He said, “Rehab is going pretty well. Ups and downs, but you manage it. The goal is just to try to get as healthy as possible and come back.” Embiid further added, “I just love playing basketball. I want to be on the floor. I only have about 20 years to do this so every chance I get, I want to be on the floor.”

However, Embiid’s remarks regarding his return aren’t inspiring much optimism among the Sixers’ fanbase. He is still a long way off from returning to action, and the Sixers have struggled without their talisman. Among the 23 games that Embiid has missed, the Sixers have only won 8 games.

If Philly continues in this trajectory, their hopes of achieving a favorable playoff draw could be at risk. However, Philadelphia has a new trump card up its sleeve to stay in the upper echelons of the Western Conference. In fact, he can also prove to be an X-factor for the 76ers to win the 2024 NBA season.

Filling the mighty shoes of Joel Embiid

The newest man to join the 76ers roster, Kyle Lowry, will make the perfect man to fill the gigantic shoes of Joel Embiid for some time. Philadelphia native is donning his home threads for the first time in his career and has a lot of experience behind his back now, including an NBA Championship. The trade is supposed to help Tyrese Maxey and others move around the court more freely and follow a spread-out and secure game plan. The 76ers are currently in a dire situation, however, and Lowry will have to act fast.

Since the latest injury of Joel Embiid, Philly has won just 5 of their last 14 games. So far, however, Kyle Lowry hasn’t really picked up the pace he is expected to. His performance needs a lot of polishing at the moment since his numbers don’t justify the minutes he is getting on the court. But, Lowry has worked with head coach Nick Nurse previously in 2019 and won an NBA ring. Will he be able to keep Philly’s playoff chances alive while Embiid comes back from his injury?

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