- ‣ The Philadelphia 76ers have experienced a significant downturn in their performance, losing 17 of their last 24 games since Joel Embiid’s 70-point game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 22. Embiid has been absent for the last 20 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee.
- ‣ Despite the team’s struggles, Joel Embiid is expected to make a return from his knee injury in early April, with a specific aim for a comeback around the first or second week of April, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ‣ To address their lack of depth in the center position, the 76ers are expected to sign former Charlotte Hornets center Kai Jones to a 10-day contract, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Sixers have lost 17 of 24 games since Joel Embiid scored 70 points in a 133-123 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 22. The joy they felt that night seems like decades ago. #TheStruggleIsRealFlow
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers)
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Ever since Joel Embiid lit up the scoreboard with 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs on January 22, the Philadelphia 76ers’ fortunes have taken a nosedive. They’ve lost 17 out of their last 24 games. Adding salt to the wound, Embiid has been sidelined for the last 20 games. The culprit? A torn meniscus in his left knee.
Last season told a different story. Without their reigning MVP, the Sixers managed an impressive 11-5 in the regular season and even swept their playoff appearances 2-0. This season, though, it’s been a struggle. With Embiid out, their record stands at a disappointing 10-22 through 66 games.
Peeking at a few NBA betting sites, the 76ers’ championship odds are looking grim. They’re ranked 14th, trailing behind teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans.
Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer shared a tweet that captured the mood perfectly. The Sixers’ victory over the Spurs feels like a distant memory now. “#TheStruggleIsRealFlow,” indeed.
Despite the setbacks, the 76ers are still in the playoff hunt, sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with a 36-30 record. They’re just a hair behind the Indiana Pacers and narrowly ahead of the Miami Heat.
Before his injury, Embiid was on fire, averaging career highs across the board. We’re talking 35.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 11.3 rebounds per game, not to mention stellar shooting percentages. The guy was unstoppable.
In some good news, Joel Embiid is expected to make his return in early April. Keith Pompey, answering questions in a “Sixers Mailbag” session, predicts the star’s comeback around the season’s final week. It seems the team is hopeful for his return around April 8, maybe even sooner.
The Sixers had initially set a 6-8 week recovery period for Embiid, following his surgery on February 6. If all goes well, he could be back on the court by April 2, just in time for a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After that, the Sixers have a challenging schedule ahead, with a three-game road trip that includes stops at the Heat, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Spurs. They’ll then wrap up the season with a three-game homestand.
On another note, the 76ers are finally addressing their lack of depth in the big-man department. Kai Jones, formerly of the Charlotte Hornets, is expected to sign a 10-day contract with the team. This move, reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, could provide some much-needed support.
So, there you have it. The Sixers are navigating through a turbulent season, but hope is on the horizon with Embiid’s anticipated return. Let’s see if they can turn things around in the nick of time.
