Even at this juncture, there is a strong belief around the league that the Philadelphia 76ers are ripe for a huge comeback campaign next season. After one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, the squad looks poised to reinforce the notion that their meager 2024-25 campaign is merely a huge asterisk in their string of successes in the regular season over nearly the last decade.
While the injury bug is a perennial threat to the way the 76ers operate, it is highly unlikely that they will even come close to the miserable luck they had last season. And with the Eastern Conference being legitimately wide-open, the pathway is clear for Philadelphia to break into the winner’s circle and then some.
One of the primary reasons behind the 76ers having lofty expectations levied on them is that their main rival, the Boston Celtics, are difficult to pencil in as contenders next season. They just lost Jayson Tatum for the entire year due to an Achilles tear, and in addition, they were also forced to jettison two starters in Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to make ends meet.
But aside from that, there is another big loss from Boston’s side — ridding Joel Embiid of one of his biggest thorns, especially in the postseason.
76ers poised to mount revenge as Celtics lose ultimate Joel Embiid stopper in Al Horford
Al Horford, who has been one of, if not the best defender against Joel Embiid in recent years, is bound to leave the Celtics. There has been no official word yet on his departure, but Brad Stevens has basically confirmed that they will most likely be forced to let him walk away in free agency.
There are strong indications that Horford will instead take shelter in Golden State, which touts better chances at the championship than Boston given Tatum’s injury. As a result, Joel Embiid and the 76ers should have a much easier time mounting a revenge on the Celtics, which have beaten them seven times in their last eight meetings.
For now, the Celtics are incredibly thin at the center position, and their current options are far from experienced cogs, especially when dealing against the likes of Embiid.
While there is less emotional impact with respect to a prospective win over the Celtics with them losing their best player, the Philadelphia 76ers will still have to seem them four times next season at the very least, and winning all of those outings, given their glaring advantage at center, will be crucial for their comeback tour in the upcoming campaign.