Philadelphia is on the list of candidates for the ring. He may be behind some teams, but no one rules out that James Harden and Joel Embiid could have some spectacular playoffs to make the 76ers champions. What is the only doubt? The physical state of both.
To be blunt, Embiid is currently dealing with a hamstring issue, while Harden has been dealing with a sore left Achilles tendon for some time. From the Pennsylvania organization they have stressed at all times that they are minor ailments, but at this point any minute detail is treated with the utmost care, since the postseason is just around the corner.
We start with the pivot. After playing two very good games against Golden State and Phoenix, last night he was not on the floor to face Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets. Much was expected from the duel between two of the favorites for the MVP of the season, but the Sixers decided that the best thing was that Embiid, who already played with the aforementioned problem in the previous clashes, should rest.
As for Harden, the truth is that his illness has kept him off the pitch for the last four games. Doc Rivers said there was some chance of him being against the Suns and that his return to the Nuggets was more likely. Neither. He finally stayed out of both matches. Adrian Wojnarowski’s ESPN he points out that he should return in one of the 76ers’ home games this week.
Caution… and necessity
We return to the starting point. Philadelphia needs the best version of its two stars and has little time to make it happen. Embiid usually performs very well, overcoming physical problems, but we have seen before how he suffered in the playoffs for not being one hundred percent. About Harden, more of the same. In the game prior to his absence, he was 2 of 14 from the field in the 47 minutes he was on the floor. Those from Pennsylvania do not need Harden, the Rockets’ executioner, but they do need the one he is averaging 21.4 points and 10.8 assists this season.
In any case, now is not the time to be alarmed. Before the team’s final game, Harden fully participated in shootaround with his teammates, a notable change from the limited work he was able to do Friday. Everything indicates that with the team settled in the first four places in the Eastern Conference, they have decided to focus solely on being healthy for the moment of truth.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
