Joel Embiid was benched for the entire fourth quarter in the 76ers’ narrow loss to the Nets, which ended with a buzzer-beating tip-in.
The 76ers, once filled with championship aspirations, faced another setback against Brooklyn on Saturday night. This defeat marked their seventh consecutive loss, with the final moments highlighting Embiid’s absence as he watched from the sidelines.
A two-time NBA scoring champion, the injury-prone Embiid struggled throughout the game, finishing with only 14 points in 31 minutes. He missed all six of his three-point attempts and sat back as the team made a late comeback from a 17-point deficit, only to be thwarted by Nic Claxton’s last-second shot.
After signing a lucrative three-year, $193 million contract extension in September, Embiid chose not to comment on his performance or the decision to bench him.
Injuries have plagued Embiid this season, and he appeared to be in discomfort after a fall late in the third quarter. He expressed the need to “fix the problem” in his left knee to regain his dominant All-Star form.
Reflecting on his struggles, Embiid stated, “The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now.” He acknowledged the difficulty of trusting his body when he does not feel like himself.
Having participated in only 19 of the 56 games this season, the 76ers now sit at 20-36, desperately clinging to hopes of qualifying for the NBA play-in tournament.
Coach Nick Nurse explained his decision to bench Embiid in the fourth quarter, citing the effective play of the current lineup, which included Guerschon Yabusele. “They had a good feel for the game at that point,” Nurse remarked, emphasizing the importance of allowing the team to maintain their momentum.
Last season, Embiid faced challenges as well, appearing in only 39 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee, which required surgery. He returned in April, contributing to the 76ers’ playoff effort and later winning a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team.
Earlier this month, Embiid admitted that he did not have sufficient time to recover fully from his previous surgery.
Coach Nurse acknowledged the situation, stating, “He’s giving us what he can. He’s not himself, we all know that.” He commended Embiid for his effort despite not being at his usual high level of play.
