Despite currently boasting sixth position in the Eastern Conference regular-season standings, the Philadelphia 76ers still have wrinkles to iron out with their roster if their postseason dream is going to become a reality. Most notably, both Joel Embiid and Paul George are yet to feature in any back-to-back games this season -- leading to significant drops in the Sixers' effectiveness on the court.
Many questioned if a bold combination of Embiid, George, and Tyrese Maxey could play a part in a winning formula -- especially after last season's dismal efforts. Nevertheless, when on the court together, Philadelphia's 'Big Three' have showcased the untapped potential that this array of talent possesses. The actual issues lie within the availability of these players for selection.
In recent times, Embiid and George have been ready for action more often than not. Embiid has already featured in more games this season (23) than he did in the entire 2024-25 campaign, while George is only 17 games away from the same feat (23). However, preventing their star players from aggravating injuries comes at a cost, and that price may bear a heavier toll.
The reality of the Sixers' desperate situation becomes clearer
Along with teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Hornets, and the Washington Wizards, the 76ers were scheduled to play in the most back-to-back fixtures in the entire NBA (16). Due to Embiid and George not being risked in games of this calibre, that automatically dooms the franchise to a weakened roster in at least eight of said matchups.
There is no perfect tactic to tackle problems of this nature. History has shown Philadelphia that the star duo is not capable of handling the gruelling schedule that the NBA has in store for them. Injuries have plagued Embiid and George's careers recently, and risking them in back-to-back games would most likely result in one or both players being unavailable for a prolonged period.
If Philadelphia aims to make a deep run in the postseason, Joel Embiid and Paul George have now shown they must be included in the rotation. The 2023 MVP is nearing his dominant best, averaging 24.2 points and seven rebounds per game, while shooting 47.7% from the floor. Additionally, while contributing 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, George has become a defensive stalwart for the Sixers, which can be integral to future success.
While it is blatantly obvious that Joel Embiid and Paul George do not have the physical capacity to feature in back-to-back fixtures, the Philadelphia 76ers cannot afford to lose every game when the duo is unavailable. If the franchise cannot create an effective formula in their absence, their playoff dream will come to a crushing end sooner rather than later.