The PHILADELPHIA 76ers will certainly appear without their two stars, Joel Embiid and Paul George, in the opening match of the 2024/2025 NBA season against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday (24/10) WIB. Both basketball players suffered injuries during pre-season.
Embiid, who did not play in preseason due to treatment of a left knee injury, is also unlikely to appear in the upcoming games against the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers.
According to the team’s official statement, Embiid showed a positive response to his individual recovery plan and will undergo increased playing activities, including test matches this week.
Paul George, who suffered a hyperextended knee in his left knee during the match against the Atlanta Hawks last October 14, will be re-evaluated this weekend. The injury causes bone bruising that requires further recovery time.
Apart from Embiid and George, rookie Jared McCain also suffered an injury, namely a lung contusion due to a hard fall in the match against the Brooklyn Nets last week. McCain’s status for the opener will be updated later.
Since the start of training camp, the Sixers have made it clear they will take an extremely cautious approach to Embiid and George’s conditions.
76ers President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey, previously said that the team will try to avoid using the two star players in consecutive games this season, in order to maintain their fitness for the playoffs.
“There are no setbacks in his recovery,” said Sixers coach Nick Nurse, quoted by ESPN.
“He (Embiid) is very active, has lost some weight, and continues to train on the field. We are sticking to the plan
to ensure that his condition is really good before playing in an official match,” he continued.
Embiid has reportedly lost between 14 kilograms and is aiming to lose even more.
Despite having to wear a knee brace, which Embiid didn’t want, this step was taken to maintain the structural stability of his knee.
Last season, Embiid only played in 39 games due to knee injuries.
Despite returning to play in the playoffs against the New York Knicks, he was not 100% fit, and he also had to battle Bell’s palsy which appeared suddenly during the series.
Embiid then appeared for the United States (US) National Basketball Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and helped the team nicknamed the Dream Team win their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. (Ant/Z-1)
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