Is it time for 76ers to shut it down? Embiid admits he needs to “fix the problem” with left knee.

[ad_1]

Joel Embiid looked like a shell of his dominant, MVP self Thursday night as the season’s stretch run got underway. Despite having a week off to rest around the All-Star break, Embiid looked a step slow and scored 15 points on 3-of-9 shooting, with just three rebounds. Philadelphia was routed on their home court by Boston, 124-104.

After the game, Embiid admitted that his left knee — the one he had meniscus surgery on last February — is still an issue. Here is what he said, via Noah Levick at NBC Sports Philadelphia.

“I’m sure you can figure it out. The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now and it sucks. But I believe I probably need to fix the problem and I’ll be back at that level…

“But my dominant self, I’ll get there. It’s just tough because you know you can do so much more. There’s no excuses; it’s just the way it is. Just got to keep finding ways to figure it out and get better.”

“I believe I probably need to fix the problem” echoes Embiid’s comments from before the All-Star break that he will likely need “another surgery and a long recovery period” on his left knee to fully solve the problem.

Add to that Paul George saying after the game that he is playing through pain to be available.

“I’m hanging in there,” George said. “I’m just trying to give this team everything I have. The report is true. I am taking some sorts of medicines to kind of play through pain. But yeah, I’m going to try to give it everything I’ve got.”

Time for 76ers to shut it down?

Daryl Morey and Philadelphia management are at a pivot point in the season: Is it time to chase the No. 10 seed or shut it down and chase the NBA Draft lottery?

The answer seems clear: Embiid and George are at increased risk for more serious health issues by playing through pain. And for what? It’s time for the 76ers to throw in the towel on this season, tell Embiid to get surgery or do whatever it takes to be right for next season, sit PG13 so he can get right, and start to tank to keep their first-round pick.

Could Philadelphia make the postseason? Yes. The 76ers (and Nets) are 1.5 games back…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/time-76ers-shut-down-embiid-192207543.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2025-02-21 19:22:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.