“There is a lot more work to do. You guys deserve a championship and I think we’re just getting started!” Joel Embiid displayed a bout of confidence after recently signing a historical contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. Entering his 10th season with the franchise, having only earned 1 individual accolade, the former MVP certainly feels that an ultimate shot needs to be made at securing the Larry O’Brien trophy. After all, the one thing that is different from the previous seasons is the presence of Paul George! But The Process will have to wait for some time before kicking off the team’s potential championship run.

NBA reporter Keith Pompey clarified that Joel Embiid is set to “undergo evaluation,” placing his status for the preseason opener against the Timberwolves to be unknown. When asked after a practice session if Joel Embiid will meet the squad for the next away game, Nick Nurse replied, “He’s not here. He’s at a scheduled assessment of his knee. That was always on the schedule. We are still waiting for what’s next.”

The update would send 76ers fans a few months back, reminding them of the time when Joel Embiid had undergone surgery to treat the meniscus injury on his left knee. It had benched the player for several months, allowing him to just appear in 39 regular-season games. His absence affected the 76ers deeply, as they went on to only secure a 16-27 record without the 2023 MVP.

But things seemed to have improved after he made his Gold medal run with Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Even Lakers boss, JJ Redick, had benched LeBron James and Anthony Davis from the franchise’s debut game to give them some rest, despite the Olympics concluding a good two months ago. Following the same philosophy, Nurse may have decided to keep the Sixer away.

After the Wolves, the team will go up against defending champs, Celtics, in Boston, and then the Hawks in Atlanta. Joel Embiid’s absence indicates that he may be away for the other games as well. However, nothing can be said until Nick Nurse hands us an update.

Fortunately for the 76ers, no other player is listed on the injury report at the moment. The only thing that the squad and the fans will be missing out on is to see an early start to the team up of Paul George and Joel Embiid. If anyone would be disappointed with it, it would be the former Clipper himself, who was full of praise when speaking of his teammate’s offensive prowess a couple of days ago.

Joel Embiid earned Shaq comparisons from Paul George: “He’s a force!”

By bringing in Paul George on a 4-year, $212 million deal, the 76ers made one of the most memorable acquisitions of the season. Not only did it help to fill the gap left by James Harden’s exit, but it also provided a suitable teammate that could help form the ‘Big-3’ alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. While Embiid and George have never played in the same NBA team before, a decade-long on-court rivalry has shown PG what to expect from the Cameroonian, which makes him glad to be on the same team.

Paul George laid special emphasis on Joel Embiid’s unstoppable presence in the paint. Citing similarities in regards to size, agility, and on-court dominance, the new Sixer went on to state, “You can’t stop him. He’s too big, agile, and can shoot from the three-point line. He’s a force. He’s our generation and our version of Shaq. There’s nobody we can put on Shaq.”

Big Diesel’s shooting ability is something we choose to not talk about since there is not much there. However, the 4x champion’s 7-foot-1 build made him a great defender, with his physical presence enough to intimidate rivals. A combination of speed and strength took his scoring prowess to another level. George wouldn’t make the comparison if he didn’t feel that Embid mirrors the Lakers legend on several verticals.

If fans know something about Shaq, it is that the hooper was quite injury-prone. Therefore, if missing out on a few preseason games is the price to ensure that Embiid is fully ready for the regular season, Paul George and the Philly squad will willingly accept it.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.