A lot of Philadelphia 76ers fans were frustrated when it was revealed that Joel Embiid was not selected as one of the reserves for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Many perceived this year’s class — especially from the East — to be quite puzzling, and the omission of the superstar big man from the list definitely raised eyebrows.
Having said that, Embiid not being selected to be a part of the annual league festivities (at least for now) actually does come with a certain perk for the 76ers. Thanks to this, the former MVP can expect to have more than a week off from playing, affording him with some much-needed breather to take a step back and recharge for the upcoming run to secure a higher playoff seeding.
After a season where he appeared in just 19 games all year long, Embiid has already suited up in moe than half of the team’s outings thus far. He had missed 20 games, but most of those were due to rest management. But the sweeter part about his individual campaign is the fact that he has become one of the best feel-good stories in the league with his resurgence.
Joel Embiid will have a much-needed break thanks to his All-Star snub
Embiid has been spectacular in the moneht of January, turning in wildly impressive averages of 29.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game since the calendar flipped to 2026. He has drained 53.7 percent of his shots and 36.2 percent of his three-point tries, reinstating himself as a premiere offensive force in the league.
However, it is worth noting that he had registered more than 34.1 minutes per contest in that stretch, which is a sharp increase from the minutes restriction he was under when the season started. It is apparent that he taken on a huge load once again, making a week-long rest all the more timely for him and the team.
The 76ers are going to continue to rely on Embiid now that he is back to playing like an MVP-caliber player (despite the All-Star snub). As such, having him recharge and get his body a break could very well end up making a huge difference as they navigate the post All-Star break run into the postseason.
Of course, this will not be enough to get rid of the bitter taste of Joel Embiid not repping the 76ers in LA, but him resting is a huge consolation that cannot just be glossed over.