The Philadelphia 76ers’ championship chances may have gone up in the smoke, with Joel Embiid suffering yet another injury during the postseason. According to Skip Bayless’ source, the incoming 2023 NBA MVP will require surgery to recover from his current predicament.
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Sixers fans were overjoyed when the Brooklyn Nets secured the no. 6 seed at the end of the regular season. This meant that even as the 3rd seeds, they’d landed the most favorable first-round matchup possible.
They were upbeat for the first 2 games of the series as Embiid and co saw off the threat posed by Mikal Bridges’ Nets. However, circumstances changed after game 3.
After he’d put in a two-way exhibition of dominance to lead the Sixers to a 3-0 lead, it was revealed that Embiid had reinjured his knee. He missed Game 4 of their sweep of the Nets, but many still believed that his injury was minor. However, Skip Bayless has bad news in that regard.
Skip Bayless believes that Joel Embiid might require surgery on his knee
Skip Bayless is not a man most NBA fans would consider an insider. He’s riled up a lot of fanbases with his bluster about their favorite star’s shortcomings.
However, when it comes to Embiid, Kawhi, and injury news in general, Bayless’ sources have held up. It’s for this reason that Sixers fans will be concerned by his morning segment today, when he said:
“(I) called my source back last night and he said ‘We got a big problem’. Joel didn’t play Monday or Tuesday, they had an MRI, and it’s bad. He has a small tear and will probably require some kind of procedure after the season.”
Embiid’s absence makes the Celtics series a stiff mountain for the Sixers to climb
While the Sixers do have an MVP in their ranks, James Harden circa 23 isn’t aging that well. He seems considerably off his top speed and agility and is having trouble finishing in the paint.
While his long-range shooting has been fine, it’ll take more than a one-dimensional offense to beat Boston. The Celtics are a matchup nightmare for every other team in the league and would’ve been favored even with a fully fit Embiid.
At less than 100% or absent from the game, the Sixers will likely face yet another unceremonious 2nd round exit.
