On Friday evening, Joel Embiid went with out a made subject objective for the second time in his profession and for the primary time in seven years. This isn’t simply Embiid’s first poor taking pictures evening this yr; he’s 0/17 from three in his final six video games and taking pictures a career-low 38% from the sector this season.
Many anticipated a transition interval as Embiid adjusted to new teammates Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, however I’m not sure that is only a battle to slot in. I’m unsure Joel Embiid’s physique has a lot left within the tank.
It’s inconceivable to speak about Embiid with out mentioning the years of accidents which have taken a toll on his physique. He’s had three confirmed surgical procedures on his left knee and remains to be coping with cartilage points since his final surgical procedure in 2025.
When recruiting LeBron this offseason, Embiid claimed he’s more healthy than ever going right into a season, but it surely doesn’t look that approach on the courtroom. Since their opener towards the New York Knicks, Embiid’s protection has been in a steep decline. He regarded nice in drop protection within the opener, always inflicting points on Jalen Brunson drives, whereas additionally offering elite contests on lob protection.
Sadly, I’m unsure whether or not he’s taking part in via an damage or has merely misplaced a step, however he’s regarded misplaced on pick-and-roll protection within the subsequent 9 video games for the Sixers. Evan Mobley put him in tough positions all evening, forcing him to cowl rim threats on lobs and contest Mobley on threes.
You could possibly dwell with the defensive struggles if he had been offering his regular degree of offensive gravity, however he wasn’t. He was pushed off the block on a number of switches to James Harden, and let Mobley play approach off with unhealthy photographs from behind the arc.
Tyrese Maxey turning right into a top-10 offensive menace in basketball has hidden plenty of weaknesses on this roster. Philadelphia ranks twentieth within the league in three-point share at 33.3% and twenty fourth in factors at 109.4 an evening, but they nonetheless have the perfect document in basketball via 10 video games.
The Sixers’ perimeter protection has far exceeded my expectations this season, however I’m unsure how efficient their elite strain shall be all season. Philly knew they’d a depth downside at heart coming into this season, and with Adem Bona lacking time with damage, Embiid wants to extend his manufacturing on each ends of the ground. If his struggles are resulting from well being, then the Sixers must go enhance this roster earlier than the commerce deadline.
