Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons?
The debate has gained attention this season after the 76ers spent years retooling around their stars. The answer clearly isn’t neither. But that’s what Philadelphia now faces.
With Simmons already injured, Embiid got hurt in the 76ers’ game against the Cavaliers tonight.
Serena Winters of NBC Sports Philadelphia:
After what appeared to be a left shoulder collision with Ante Zizic, Joel Embiid has headed back to the locker room to get checked out.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) February 27, 2020
Joel Embiid did return to the bench briefly, but has since gone back to the lockerroom. Will update as soon as I know more. #Sixers https://t.co/zSZb7dhzOs
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) February 27, 2020
Joel Embiid has a left shoulder sprain and will not return.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) February 27, 2020
Losing Embiid for an extended period would be a huge blow to Philadelphia, especially with Simmons already out. The 76ers (fifth place, half a game out of fourth) are right on the edge of getting home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Embiid had been playing so well lately. This is an especially tough time for a setback.
At least Philadelphia has depth to cope. Al Horford can easily slide from power forward to center. Tobias Harris might be better off at power forward than small forward, anyway. This is where Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks, acquired just before the trade deadline, come in handy as additional wing options. Kyle O’Quinn can also play behind Horford.
But the loss of talent is the biggest development, and there’s no overcoming that until Embiid and Simmons get healthy.