With just 20 games left in the season after Thursday night's matchup against the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers are facing an uphill battle. Unfortunately, the story remains the same—another game, another night of missing key players. The Sixers will once again take the court without their three biggest stars: Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey.
Injuries Continue to Define the Sixers' Season
The injury bug has been relentless for Philly this season, with the team sitting at 21-40 as they take on the Celtics. While they still technically have a shot at the final play-in tournament spot in the East, it's fair to ask—at what cost? With so many setbacks, is it even worth pushing for a late-season surge?
Joel Embiid has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season after playing just 19 games, leaving the Sixers without their dominant big man. His absence alone has been a major blow, but he’s not the only concern. Paul George, the 9-time All-Star, has also been in and out of the lineup due to multiple injuries, including a left finger issue and more recently, left groin soreness.
George missed Monday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, then tried to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday but had to leave early. Now, he's officially out for the Celtics game as well. Given that he just signed a massive four-year, $212 million contract, many are wondering if shutting him down for the season might be the best move.
Nick Nurse Shuts Down the Idea of Benching Paul George
Despite the speculation, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse isn’t entertaining the idea of shutting George down just yet. When asked about the possibility, Nurse kept his response short and to the point:
"I haven’t discussed that with anybody," he said. "Yeah, so, no."
For Nurse and the Sixers, the plan remains simple: If George and Maxey are healthy enough to play, they’re going to play. There's no grand strategy to tank or throw in the towel just yet.
"We want them to play if they’re able to play, right?" Nurse explained. "For me, the medical people tell me if they’re good. Then what happened to him (George), I think, at the end of the third the other night—he just wasn’t able to continue. So that kind of stuff happens too, and I just take my directions from them."
Should the Sixers Push for the Playoffs or Look Ahead?
The Sixers are still mathematically in the hunt for the play-in tournament, but the question remains—should they even be chasing it at this point? Given the injuries and the struggles they’ve faced all season, it might make more sense to focus on getting healthy and reloading for next year.
On the flip side, if George and Maxey can return soon, there's always the possibility of a late-season push. Even if they sneak into the play-in tournament, it would give the team some valuable experience and possibly a morale boost heading into the offseason.
But for now, the focus remains on one thing: taking things game by game and seeing who’s available to suit up. And for a Sixers squad that’s been through the wringer this season, that’s about all they can do.
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