The Philadelphia 76ers are walking a tightrope in the frontcourt, and the timing couldn't be trickier. Heading into their November 30th matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, the Sixers were already without Joel Embiid, and Andre Drummond’s status was hanging in the balance due to a knee contusion. That left head coach Nick Nurse staring down the possibility of deploying a rotation filled with youth and inexperience - and hoping they could hold their own.
Embiid’s Lingering Absence
Let’s start with the obvious: Joel Embiid hasn’t been on the floor for three weeks, and it’s showing. The reigning MVP was initially sidelined back on November 9th in what was described as left knee injury management - a proactive move to preserve his health for the long haul. But since then, the issue has shifted to his right knee, and that’s where things have gotten murky.
Despite being listed as day-to-day over the last eight games, Embiid hasn’t suited up. The official designation eventually changed to “right knee injury management” over the last seven contests, which raised some eyebrows. According to head coach Nick Nurse, Embiid still needs to work through some pain and ramp up on-court activity before the medical staff gives him the green light.
The Sixers haven’t collapsed without him - they’ve gone 5-4 in that stretch - but let’s be honest: not having Embiid on the floor significantly limits their ceiling, especially against teams with strong interior presences.
Drummond’s Steadying Hand - Now in Question
Andre Drummond has quietly been a stabilizing force in Embiid’s absence. Over his last five games, he’s averaged 9.8 points and 12.1 rebounds, giving the Sixers a physical presence in the paint and on the glass.
But that momentum hit a wall when he took a knock to the right knee during the second quarter of the Sixers’ win over Brooklyn. The result?
A knee contusion that puts his availability in question for the first time this season.
If Drummond can’t go, the Sixers are looking at a frontcourt rotation that’s short on experience and long on question marks.
Time for the Young Guns
Enter Adem Bona, Jabari Walker, and Johni Broome - three young players who could be thrust into major roles with little warning. Bona, in particular, looks like the most likely candidate to step into the starting center spot if both Embiid and Drummond are unavailable.
Bona showed flashes in the win over Brooklyn, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. That’s a solid line, especially considering he was coming off a five-game absence due to a sprained ankle.
But the challenge for Bona isn’t talent - it’s staying on the floor. Foul trouble has been his Achilles’ heel, and with the Sixers already thin up front, they can’t afford for him to rack up early whistles.
Walker and Broome are also in the mix, though their roles are still developing. Walker’s game is better suited for the four, where his rebounding and spot-up shooting have made him a serviceable rotation piece. But with the current injury situation, Nurse may have no choice but to slide him over to the five - a matchup problem waiting to happen against a physical Hawks frontcourt featuring Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.
Broome, meanwhile, has shown promise with the Delaware Blue Coats, but his NBA minutes have been limited. In the win over Brooklyn, he picked up three fouls in just seven minutes - a reminder that the jump from the G League to the NBA is no small leap.
The Road Ahead
This stretch is a test of depth, development, and discipline. The Sixers are trying to weather the storm without their MVP and their top backup big, and that means leaning on young legs to fill massive shoes. It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality.
If Embiid and Drummond remain sidelined, the Sixers’ ability to stay competitive will hinge on how quickly players like Bona, Walker, and Broome can adapt - and whether they can avoid the foul trouble that’s plagued them early on. The Hawks bring size, athleticism, and a frontcourt that can punish mistakes.
The margin for error? Slim.
But this is also the kind of stretch that can define a season - not just in terms of wins and losses, but in how much confidence these young players can build. The opportunity is right in front of them. Now it’s a matter of who’s ready to seize it.