76ers Face Injury Concerns as Season Approaches
In recent years, injuries have become a defining aspect of the 76ers’ journey. Now, there’s some uncertainty regarding whether two of their star players will be ready for the upcoming season.
Paul George, has not played more than 56 games in a single regular season since 2018-19 and has had knee surgery. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid is eager to play consistently but is still on the mend from knee surgery he underwent in April, which limited him to just 19 games last season.
Team president Daryl Morey refrained from setting “expectations” regarding their returns.
“We’re not in the hopes game,” Morey remarked during 76ers Media Day, addressing the ongoing questions about Embiid and George, both of whom carry a hefty combined salary of $112 million this season.
Interestingly, Embiid has yet to complete a season with 70 games played—he logged 58 regular season games since the start of 2023-24.
The 31-year-old signed a substantial three-year, $192 million extension nearly a year ago, which may keep him under contract through the 2028-29 season if he exercises player options worth over $67 million.
Expressing frustration on Media Day, Embiid said, “I’ve suffered so many injuries. What I always told myself is that you can’t give up. … I want to play all the games. I’ve been pretty unlucky about it compared to most NBA players.”
Embiid showcased impressive stats—averaging 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range during 39 games last season.
In contrast, last year, he had averages of 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over only 30.2 minutes per game, with shooting percentages at 44.4% from the field and 29.9% from deep.
For George, his initial season with the 76ers wasn’t much better.
From 2024-25, he recorded about five rebounds and four assists per game but was limited to just 41 games, averaging 16.2 points per game. His shooting percentages also dipped to 43% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range, while his free throw shooting was at 81.4%, the lowest of his career.
George, now 35, took a four-year deal as a free agent last summer, but injuries made his first season in Philadelphia a rocky one.
“I think I still have a lot of games inside me,” George commented.
For Embiid, this year’s training camp has him appearing slimmer, officially listed at 270 pounds, as he continues to focus on his health without a set timeline for return.
“I think I’ll just listen to my body from now on,” Embiid shared. “It’s going to be unpredictable at times. That’s fine. We work with it.”
Additionally, the team faces further challenges as Jared McCain, their 2024 first-round pick, who seemed promising before his meniscus tear, also dealt with a torn UCL in his right thumb during a workout on Thursday.
“We know that the game will be overlooked,” coach Nick Nurse said. “We need to be able to move forward right away.”
