As the Philadelphia 76ers push through their 2024-25 season, injuries have become an unfortunate recurring theme, casting a dark shadow over their playoff hopes. With a current record of 18-27, they find themselves just one game behind the Chicago Bulls for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. While that sounds like a manageable gap, the real battle for the Sixers isn’t just with other teams—it’s with their own health. If they want to make a serious run down the stretch, they need all hands on deck, and right now, that’s far from the case.
One of the most frustrating injury situations has been that of Andre Drummond, who has been dealing with a stubborn left toe injury. This isn’t just any minor setback—it’s an issue that has sidelined him for most of the past month. The injury originally occurred on December 23 during a win against the San Antonio Spurs, and since then, he has only managed to play in four games. That’s a brutal reality for a team already struggling with depth and consistency.
Drummond’s situation has been a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment. He managed to play in two of the three road games on their recent trip, but his condition has continued to deteriorate. Now, he’s set to miss his fourth consecutive game when the Sixers take on the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. This constant back-and-forth has left both the coaching staff and fans frustrated, as every time it seems like he’s ready to return, the injury flares up again.
“It’s just not good,” head coach Nick Nurse admitted bluntly. “It just seems to not be getting good enough, and when we thought it was good enough, it’s been—I don’t know—it’s not really a re-injury, but it seems to have a pretty short shelf life.”
That short shelf life is exactly what’s making this injury so difficult to manage. Drummond has shown flashes of being able to return, putting in work before games and showing up ready to go, only to realize mid-game that his toe won’t cooperate. It’s a heartbreaking cycle, especially for a player who lives and breathes basketball. If there’s one thing no one can question, it’s Drummond’s love for the game and his drive to be back on the court.
Despite his struggles, Drummond has done everything in his power to get back out there. He initially returned from a seven-game absence on January 18 against the Indiana Pacers. But just when things were looking up, he missed the very next game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He gave it another go against the Denver Nuggets on January 21, but that turned out to be his last appearance. Since then, he hasn’t been able to suit up, leaving the Sixers scrambling to fill the void.
Nurse shed some light on the frustrating pattern. “He gets good pregame,” he explained. “He feels good. You guys are there, you see him. He’s pretty active. He gets in the game. He goes and then he goes, ‘Man, I can’t push off. I can’t do anything right now.’ So, again, it was a setback from the Denver game. They’re just trying to do whatever they can do to get it to a place where it doesn’t keep doing that.”
That’s the catch-22 the Sixers are dealing with. Drummond seems fine before tip-off, but once the intensity of the game kicks in, his injury proves too much to handle. That uncertainty makes it difficult to plan rotations and game strategies, especially when the team is already missing key pieces due to other injuries.
Key Takeaways from Drummond’s Injury Struggles:
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He initially suffered the left toe injury on December 23.
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Since then, he has played in only four games, unable to maintain consistent availability.
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His return attempts have been short-lived, as the injury continues to limit his mobility and effectiveness.
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Head coach Nick Nurse has expressed frustration over the unpredictable nature of the injury.
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Drummond’s passion for the game is evident, but his body isn’t cooperating.
Looking ahead, the Sixers have another major test coming up when they face the Denver Nuggets at home on Friday. Given Drummond’s recent history, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be available for that matchup. That means the Sixers will once again have to dig deep into their bench and find ways to compensate for his absence.
With the playoffs still within reach, every game matters, and the Sixers can’t afford to keep losing key players at such a critical juncture. Drummond’s situation is emblematic of a bigger problem—this team can’t seem to stay healthy long enough to build momentum. If they’re serious about making a push for the postseason, they’ll need some good fortune on the injury front, and they’ll need it fast.
As of now, all eyes are on Drummond’s recovery process. The Sixers’ training staff is working tirelessly to get him back on the court, but given the unpredictable nature of his injury, it’s anyone’s guess when that will actually happen. Until then, the team has no choice but to press on and find ways to win without him.
The road ahead won’t be easy, but if there’s one thing this Sixers squad has shown, it’s resilience. They’ve been down before, and they’ve found ways to fight back. Whether that fight leads them to the postseason remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: they can’t afford any more setbacks—especially not from one of their key big men.
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