The Philadelphia 76ers lost 105-103 to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night at the last second when Nic Claxton beat Paul George for an offensive rebound off Keon Johnson’s missed 3-pointer and tipped in the game-winning basket.
George was outhustled for the rebound, failing to jump or even raise his arms in pursuit of the ball. The lack of effort cost the Sixers a potential win and dropped their record to 20-26, the fourth-worst in the Eastern Conference.
However, as embarrassing as George’s half-hearted effort was, fans and media watching Claxton’s game-winner might have wondered where Joel Embiid was on the play. Had he been on the court, would he have gotten the rebound? Or would he have cleared Claxton out enough for George to grab the board?
Embiid was on the bench, sitting out the entire fourth quarter because Sixers head coach Nick Nurse believed that Guerschon Yabusele was more effective at center in Saturday’s game.
“Well, that group was just playing so well together and had a good feel for the game at that point, and just wanted to let them roll with it,” Nurse told reporters afterward, via the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Embiid started the game and finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes. Yabusele grabbed eight rebounds in his 23 minutes of play.
Earlier in the week, Embiid acknowledged that his injured left knee isn’t allowing him to play to his regular standard and implied that surgery may be necessary.
“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now. It sucks,” he said. “I probably need to fix the problem, and then I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have trust when you’re not yourself.”
In light of Embiid being on the bench for the entire fourth quarter of a game Philadelphia should have won, sentiments for the 76ers center to shut it down for the season are growing. Though the Sixers are still alive for a play-in bid, according to the standings, a postseason berth is unlikely and the team could add more help with a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
As it stands now, Embiid isn’t helping the 76ers while settling for 3-point shots (he went 0-for-6 on Saturday), not getting involved in pick-and-rolls and, most importantly, not providing a defensive presence in the lane or on the boards. Nurse said as much after the loss to the Nets.
“You know he’s feeling pretty decent when he’s driving the ball, playing inside a little bit, protecting the rim a little bit,” Nurse said. “And you know he’s not feeling very decent if he’s playing on the perimeter or the opposite of those things.”
In only 19 games this season, Embiid is averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks. Those numbers are well below the 34.7 points, 11 rebounds and 1.7 blocks he averaged last season, albeit in 39 games. Embiid is two seasons removed from winning NBA MVP with 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
George offered advice for Embiid when asked about it following the game, saying “Drugs help.” Whether it was a joke or not, Embiid and the 76ers will likely want to pursue a more long-term solution for the future.
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