Optimism about the Philadelphia Sixers soared over the offseason when they signed Paul George in free agency. Fans crossed their fingers that 2025 would end the jokes about Joel Embiid not playing in the Eastern Conference Finals. So far, the season has gone in the opposite direction.
The injury concerns started before the regular season began. Paul George hyperextended his knee in the preseason, and Joel Embiid still had his nagging knee injury. Jokes piled on Philadelphia as Embiid and George were ruled out for the season-opener. It was a sign of what was to come.
The Sixers are midway through the season with a 15-24 record, two games back from the No. 10 seed in the East. Philadelphia would miss the Play-In Tournament if the season ended today. It would be an understatement to say it's not where they thought they'd be.
Embiid has played only 13 games this season and has missed the last six with a foot injury. George has played 27 games, and his production has been a major disappointment. Tyrese Maxey has dealt with a couple of injuries himself. Rookie Jared McCain was one of the lone bright spots for fans at the beginning of the season, but he underwent season-ending surgery on his knee.
There isn't a light at the end of the tunnel for the struggling Sixers
It doesn't look like things will drastically improve for Philadelphia, even if Embiid can return. The Sixers are 4-18 against teams over .500 this season, and nine of their next 10 games will be against teams over .500 (Pacers, Bucks, Nuggets twice, Cavaliers, Lakers, Kings, Celtics, Mavericks). The only team they'll play that isn't over .500 is the Bulls, who have a two-game lead over the Sixers in the East.
It would be almost impossible for Philadelphia to fight and claw its way into the top six of the conference. The most realistic scenario for the Sixers would be finishing in Play-In range, which may not even happen. Some fans only thought it couldn't get worse than last year's first-round playoff exit.
Who would've guessed we'd go from talking about Philly as a top team in the East to wondering whether they prioritize a high draft pick over trying to compete? Daryl Morey certainly didn't see that coming.
The Sixers turning things around in the second half of the season is far closer to being a pipe dream than reality. Never say never, but in this case, it might be time to say never.