LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 09: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers leaves the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 09, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers lost Joel Embiid to an ankle injury.
The Philadelphia 76ers are already without Ben Simmons, and that makes Joel Embiid the focal point of the franchise. The team is still fighting for the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference, so having a healthy Embiid is important.
About that. The 76ers got off to a slow start Sunday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, and the news only got worse as Embiid left the game with an ankle injury.
The Sixers are awaiting word on Joel Embiid
Embiid is out for the game and that is terrible news for the 76ers — not only for Sunday night, but for seeding purposes and the playoffs.
The 76ers big man appeared to step backward into the padding surrounding the hoop when he hurt his ankle. He then tried to walk it off but was quickly ruled out for the game.
Embiid has had terrible luck with injuries and missed the first two seasons of his NBA career. The most games he has played in a season is 64, and 76ers fans were waiting to see what a fully healthy squad could do. Then came Simmons’ injury and now this.
The 76ers will now heavily rely upon Tobias Harris to fill the scoring void. Josh Richardson will also be expected to take on a larger role as Simmons and Embiid combined to score just over 40 points per game on average during the regular season.
It is too early to start talking about a postseason without Embiid. However, 76ers fans have seen this story play out before, and it has to be frustrating to wonder if the entire “Process” will ultimately result in more “what-ifs” than championships.