The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2024-25 season with aspirations of dominating the Eastern Conference but now find themselves on the brink of collapse. Sitting at 17-27, the Sixers are 10 games below .500 and currently outside the play-in picture, a far cry from preseason expectations.
Joel Embiid’s struggles
Joel Embiid’s unavailability has been a significant factor in the Sixers’ disappointing season. The reigning MVP has only featured in a quarter of the team’s games, sidelined by an array of injuries, including a sprained left foot, a sinus fracture, and persistent left knee issues. His knee troubles alone have seen him miss substantial time, with ailments ranging from swelling to a torn meniscus.
As of now, Embiid is set to miss the Sixers’ matchup against the Lakers on Tuesday night, as well as at least one additional game. Despite showing progress during Monday’s practice, Embiid’s recovery will keep him out as Philadelphia navigates a challenging stretch of games.
Through his 13 appearances, Embiid has averaged 24.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 29.5 minutes per game—numbers well below his career norms. His absence has left a significant void, especially as the team faces stiff competition in the coming weeks.
What’s ahead for the 76ers?
Despite their struggles, Philadelphia remains just one game behind the Bulls for the final play-in spot. Adding to their hopes is a favorable remaining schedule, ranked as the fifth-easiest in the league, per Tankathon. However, their next seven games feature tough opponents, all of whom currently boast records of .500 or better.
The Sixers’ upcoming schedule:
- Tue., 1/28 vs. Lakers (7:30 p.m.)
- Wed., 1/29 vs. Kings (7:30 p.m.)
- Fri., 1/31 vs. Nuggets (7:30 p.m.)
- Sun., 2/2 vs. Celtics (6:00 p.m.)
- Tue., 2/4 vs. Mavericks (7:00 p.m.)
- Wed., 2/5 vs. Heat (7:30 p.m.)
- Fri., 2/7 at Pistons (7:30 p.m.)
The next six contests will all take place at the Wells Fargo Center, giving the Sixers a chance to capitalize on home-court advantage. However, they’ll need significant contributions from their roster and a turnaround in form to stay in postseason contention. Victories over teams like the Celtics, Bucks, and Nuggets could be pivotal as they look to salvage their season ahead of the All-Star break.
For the Sixers, this season has been a wake-up call. Injuries, inconsistency, and tough competition have derailed their campaign, but with a lighter schedule and potential Embiid return, there’s still hope. Whether they can rally in time to keep their playoff dreams alive remains the ultimate question.