The Philadelphia 76ers are still licking their wounds from a rough night at home, where they were handed a 130-93 loss by the Charlotte Hornets. That one stung-not just because of the scoreline, but because the Sixers were without two of their biggest stars: Joel Embiid and Paul George. And as they prepare to host the Milwaukee Bucks next, the question hanging over the team is whether those two will be ready to suit up.
Right now, the Sixers list both Embiid and George as questionable, with knee injuries keeping them sidelined and casting a shadow over the team’s short-term outlook. Without them, Philadelphia’s rotation struggled to keep pace.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the way with 17 points, rookie Jaren McCain chipped in 16, and Quentin Grimes added 14. But beyond that trio, offensive production fell flat, and the Hornets took full advantage.
The loss dropped the Sixers to 24-21, holding the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. That’s not a bad place to be, but it’s certainly not where they want to stay.
The front office is reportedly exploring ways to shore up the rotation in case Embiid and George remain out for an extended stretch. But let’s be real-there’s no replacing the impact of those two when they’re healthy.
Joel Embiid, in particular, had been rounding into MVP-caliber form again before this latest setback. He looked like himself-dominating in the paint, throwing down dunks, and even having a little fun on social media.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Embiid’s recent stretch was a reminder of what he’s capable of when he’s feeling good. Windhorst pointed out that Embiid was logging heavy minutes, even in overtime, without showing signs of slowing down.
That’s a strong indicator that his body was holding up-until now.
And then there’s Tyrese Maxey, who continues to elevate his game. He’s playing at an All-NBA level, and with Embiid and George on the floor, the Sixers have the kind of firepower and depth that makes them a real threat in the East.
The supporting cast-while inconsistent at times-has shown flashes of being able to step up when needed. But the margin for error shrinks considerably without their stars.
If Embiid can stay healthy-and that’s always the big “if”-Philadelphia has the pieces to make noise in the postseason. Maxey’s emergence, combined with the veteran presence of George and Embiid’s dominance, gives the Sixers a core that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the East. But for now, the focus is on getting healthy and avoiding any more slip-ups while their stars recover.
The Bucks are coming to town next, and regardless of who’s available, the Sixers need to tighten things up. Because in a conference as competitive as this one, every game matters-and every absence is felt.