Just right after people thought that the trade deadline could do wonders for them, the Philadelphia 76ers managed to outdo expectations and blow another winnable game, this time in the hands of a Milwaukee Bucks squad playing without their best player, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 76ers big three played together this time, which has become a rare sight this season. As usual, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey played well (and Paul George certainly did not), but the team simply cannot get enough stops as they now fall to 20-32 on the season. With just 30 games remaining, theyn would have to go 21-9 the rest of the way to get to .500 — a sheer improbability given their fatal inconsistency this season, injuries notwithstanding.
Having said that, even a playoff chase does not quite measure up to a reality that will only confound them moving forward. The franchise has bigger fish to fry, and I am not referring to their postseason dreams, especially after this alarming revelation that got unearthed during the game.
Joel Embiid injury spill has already ruined the 76ers offseason before it even began
While the 76ers were busy on the hardwood doing everything in their power to ensure getting scorched by the undermanned Bucks, the ABC live broadcast revealed that Embiid believes that it could be necessary for him to undergo another procedure on his knee during the offseason.
Embiid was asked about it after their game, and he definitely did not rule it out.
”I think the straightforward answer is that when you’ve got something that’s inconsistent, at some point, you’ve got to do something about it. We don’t know what it is. We’re looking into every option.”
If so, then it means that the 76ers would be in for another nightmarish escapade —- that of dealing with Embiid’s incessant injury concerns and constantly adjusting on the fly without a proper wall to hinge on. The team has already suffered enough in this regard, and at his point, you only have to wonder if they are eventually going to yield to the reality of the situation.
Of course, Philadelphia should support whatever Embiid decides to do for his own well-being, but with the franchise’s long-term future at stake, the front office also has to move the needle to change their strategy moving forward, even if it that means moving on from him entirely.
The Philadelphia 76ers have to make huge changes during the summer, but if Joel Embiid continues to be a brittle propeller, they must do everything to avoid another re-do of this horrible season, even going as far as potentially emptying house.