Joel Embiid is expected to miss at least two more games as he deals with an oblique strain. While this isn't ideal for the Philadelphia 76ers, given Embiid's injury history, things could be way worse. And in a recent episode of "The Hoops Collective" podcast, ESPN's Brian Windhorst made it clear exactly why.
"The Joel Embiid injury, that's an oblique and not a leg injury. So, at least there's [that]," Windhorst said.
The former NBA MVP has missed a ton of time during his NBA career, and it's mostly been leg-related injuries.
Most notably, Embiid missed the first two seasons of his career due to a broken bone in his right foot that needed multiple surgeries. Additionally, he was shut down last season after playing just 19 games due to a lingering left knee injury.
Embiid has dealt with a plethora of knee, foot, and ankle injuries throughout his professional career, and it's been unfortunate for him and the 76ers to deal with them. He is obviously one of the best players in the NBA when healthy, but that's been a big "what-if" throughout his career. And while he misses even more time right now, this sentiment remains true. But as Windhorst said, it's at least a good thing it's an oblique injury, and not something that has plagued his time in the NBA.
A healthy Joel Embiid is essential to the 76ers' success
Is Embiid the same player he was when he won the MVP award in 2023? Not really, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
He still makes a big impact (and it's pretty clear that Philadelphia is better with him on the court than off it), but it's not in the same way that it once was. The Cameroon native has improved as a passer and playmaker and has more of a presence in the midrange. And while he's not as dominant as he was, he is still good for rebounds and is still a solid rim protector.
With a little over a month left in the season, the 76ers are still trying to solidify their spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are currently 33-27 and own the No. 6 seed in the East. However, they are 7.5 games behind the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics and 7 games ahead of the No. 11 seed Milwaukee Bucks. A postseason appearance seems inevitable, but one long streak in one direction or the other could completely change their outlook.
The 76ers haven't made it to the conference finals since 2001, but while not incredibly likely, they have a chance to end that drought this season in a wide-open East. But in order for that to happen, they need Embiid to be as healthy as possible and show the basketball world just how much he has left in the tank.