[ad_1]
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid might have another difficult NBA season.
After playing just 19 games last campaign, Joel Embiid was shut down by the Philadelphia 76ers as his knee injury required surgery, which was performed before the end of the 2024-25 regular season.
However, in his latest interview with ESPN, it was revealed that a return date has not been confirmed, which has caused further worry among fans.
Paul George also suffered an injury in an offseason workout, which is another reason for concern.
With both their stars already recovering from injuries, their last hope was an easy NBA schedule, but the 76ers have faced a minor disappointment on that end as well.
Philadelphia 76ers to play 16 back-to-back games
The NBA’s official regular season schedule was released, and although all headlines were going to be Kevin Durant’s return to Oklahoma City for opening night, the 76ers fans learned their team will have 16 back-to-back games.
Philly were one of the five teams to have 16 back-to-back games for the 2025-26 season.
Their first back-to-back is pretty early in the season, as they face Orlando Magic for the third game and the very next day is their matchup against the Washington Wizards on the road.
They open their season with a game against the Boston Celtics, but it will not be as tough as previous seasons due to the 2024 champions being shorthanded.
While playing 16 back-to-backs is not what the 76ers would have wanted, their longest road trip until New Year is of three games and none of them will be against Western Conference sides.
76ers will have to rely on their young stars
Even if Embiid makes his return to the 76ers lineup by the start of the regular season, there is very little chance he will be able to feature in back-to-back games.
George will also find it difficult to play in these games as he has struggled to find fitness in recent years.
This means the franchise will need their young stars to take control when Embiid and George are out.
Tyrese Maxey has shown that he has the ability to lead from the front and to help him this season the 76ers also have Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe.
Last season McCain was leading the Rookie of the Year race prior to his injury and he will be determined to pick up from where he left off.
Meanwhile, Edgecombe has already impressed coach Nick Nurse, and in his very first Summer League appearance, he showed his two-way ability to the world.
The young trio are talented and if the 76ers are to have any success, they will have to put up big numbers.
| Position | Player Name |
| Point Guard | Jared McCain |
| Shooting Guard | Tyrese Maxey |
| Small Forward | Quentin Grimes |
| Power Forward | Kelly Oubre Jr. |
| Center | Andre Drummond |
Quentin Grimes is a player whose future with the team hangs in the balance, but if he returns, the young stars will have strong support.
Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr. have returned to the team; both of them will be key to the rotation when PG and Embiid are absent.
The schedule seems to be tough for the 76ers, but if their available players hold up until the stars return to full fitness, they could be an interesting team to watch in the East.
[ad_2]
Source link
