Joel Embiid is still limited because of his surgically repaired left knee, but the star center continues to try to play through it.
Thursday was not a fun night at the Wells Fargo Center for the Sixers or their fans.
The team was thoroughly dominated by the defending champion Boston Celtics, 124-104. Between all the green in the stands and the “Let’s Go Celtics” chants, it felt like a Celtics home game.
The Sixers’ Big 3 was healthy enough to play but not nearly good enough to win. Joel Embiid, playing in just his 18th game this season, continues to look like a shell of himself. The former MVP was just 3-of-9 for 15 points with three rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes.
After the game, Embiid didn’t mince words at his locker. He’s physically incapable of being the player he was just last season when he got off to a torrid start and looked like a runaway MVP.
“The way I was playing a year ago, it’s not the way I’m playing right now,” Embiid said. “It sucks. But I believe … I probably need to fix the problem and then I’ll be back at that level, but it’s hard to have that trust when you’re not yourself. It’s tough. You know you can do so much more.“
The “fix the problem” part is interesting.
During the ESPN broadcast of Sixers-Bucks on Super Bowl Sunday, veteran sideline reporter Lisa Salters said that Embiid told her his left knee would need another surgery. Embiid clarified the comments postgame, saying it’s not definitive that he’ll need surgery. The team insists that none of the medical experts they’ve spoken to are recommending he go under the knife.
Whether Embiid needs another surgery or not, it’s clear he’s not himself. With the Sixers now sitting 15 games below .500 and still out of the play-in picture, it’s fair to wonder if it might make more sense to simply shut Embiid down and try again in 2025-26.
As of now, there’s been no indication from Embiid or the team that ending his 2024-25 season early is an option.
“I’m not as dominant as I was a couple months ago, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t have an impact on the game,” Embiid said. “Just me being out there I think helps a lot. My presence, my ability to attract double teams, getting guys more shots.”
So it appears the Sixers will continue to chase the Chicago Bulls for the 10th seed. The Bulls are only 1.5 games up, but is all this scratching and clawing worth a play-in spot? With 27 games left a lot can change — for better or worse, perspective dependent.
Embiid seems optimistic he’ll get back to being himself eventually. It sure doesn’t sound like that will be the case this season.
“My dominant self, I’ll get there,” he said. “It’s just tough because you know you can do so much more. There’s no excuses. It’s just the way it is. Just got to keep finding ways to figure it out and get better.”