Joel Embiid is reminding the league - and maybe even himself - just how dominant he can be when he's in rhythm. After a sluggish start to the season that had some wondering whether the 2023 MVP was starting to slip, Embiid has flipped the script. Now, he’s looking every bit like the force that’s carried Philadelphia through countless regular seasons, and he’s giving Sixers fans real reason to believe a deep playoff run is still on the table.
But even as Embiid is rounding into form, the Sixers are keeping one eye firmly on the bigger picture. After logging a strong performance in Monday’s 128-113 win over the Clippers, Embiid will sit out Tuesday night’s matchup against the Warriors in San Francisco.
The team is managing his right knee - and managing expectations, too. Embiid has already made it clear: back-to-backs aren’t likely to be part of his routine this season, if at all.
This isn’t about rest for rest’s sake. This is about protecting the long-term health of a player who remains the heartbeat of the franchise.
Embiid’s accolades - 2023 All-NBA First Team, three-time All-Defensive Second Team, two-time scoring champ - speak for themselves. But the reality is, at 31 and with a history of injuries, the Sixers know they can’t ride him the way they once did.
He’s played in just 29 of the team’s first 49 games this season. That’s not ideal, but it’s also not unexpected.
And it’s not necessarily a problem - not if he’s available when it matters most.
Philadelphia seems willing to sacrifice regular-season wins and seeding if it means having a fully charged Embiid come playoff time. That’s a trade-off that could pay off big.
In January, he looked like vintage Joel: 29.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game, shooting a blistering 53.7% from the field and a strong 36.2% from deep. That’s the kind of production that shifts playoff series and breaks defensive game plans.
Even with Stephen Curry also sitting out Tuesday’s game for the Warriors, the Sixers will have to dig deep without their anchor in the paint. But this is the plan - and it’s a plan rooted in postseason priorities, not regular-season urgency.
The Sixers currently sit at 28-21, and while that’s not top-of-the-East territory, it’s within striking distance. More importantly, it keeps them in the mix while Embiid is carefully managed. The ultimate goal isn’t April wins - it’s May and June dominance.
Embiid will be on the bench Tuesday night at Chase Center, watching his teammates take on Golden State. The hope is he’ll be back on the floor Thursday when the Sixers face the Lakers in Los Angeles. One game at a time, one step closer to the postseason - and, if all goes according to plan, one step closer to a healthy Embiid when the lights shine the brightest.