Just when things were going well for Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia Sixers, fans were reminded why you shouldn't get your hopes up. The star center missed the last few games before the All-Star break with knee soreness and won't play in their first game back on Thursday due to right shin soreness that he first felt over the break.
Philadelphia is still in a good position in the wide-open East, sitting at No. 6, 1.5 games above the No. 7 Magic (who are without Franz Wagner), but the Sixers won't be able to make a championship push without Embiid. Hopefully, his latest string of injuries isn't anything serious, but again, fans know better than to believe luck will be on their side.
With Embiid out, it doesn't help that former Sixers players, like James Harden, are doing well in their honeymoon phase with the Cavaliers. This wound is still fresh, so apologies in advance, but Jared McCain is settling in nicely in his new home in OKC with the defending champions. Even Paul Reed is making some noise, as he had 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, four blocks, and three steals in the Pistons' win over the Raptors before the break.
Yes, there are fans on Reddit looking at Reed's numbers and wondering what could've been, which means Philadelphia needs Embiid back as soon as possible to stop this madness.
Sixers can only hope Joel Embiid's latest setbacks aren't serious
At least Embiid has had almost two full weeks off since his last game on Feb. 7. The break came at a good time, giving him extra rest, though that's when his shin soreness started. Still, the timing could've been far worse. We're trying to be optimistic here.
He will be re-evaluated before Saturday and Sunday's back-to-back games, and if he is cleared to return, Embiid should only play in one of those contests. He had gotten to a point where his minute restriction was no longer an issue before his knee soreness popped up, but the injury served as a reminder that the Sixers need to play it safe with him, even when he's dominating.
The playoffs will start in about two months, and that's when Philadelphia will need Embiid to be at his best. It'd be a bonus if the Sixers can avoid the play-in, giving not just Embiid, but everyone, especially Tyrese Maxey, an extra few days off.
Please, let Embiid make it to April, and hopefully into May, without any setbacks. He deserves it, and so do the fans who have been along for the ride, hoping for the best, but knowing to prepare for the worst. Don't let these same injury frustrations be the story of the season again for Philly.