Breaking: Joel Embiid Won’t Play Tonight, Again. We’re Shocked. Truly.
Stop the presses. Joel Embiid is out tonight. Somewhere in Wells Fargo Center, there’s probably a countdown clock for “Days Since Joel Last Played Back-to-Back Games.” Spoiler: it’s perpetually at zero. We should pin this article to the top of We’ll Get ‘Em Next Year‘s front page.
Now, I’m not the Sixers guy, nor am I really a Sixers guy. If you ask who I root for in basketball, it’s the Sixers because I love Philly and want our teams to succeed. But I know next to nothing about basketball and the Philadelphia 76ers. I can name THREE players that have ever played for the team without looking anything up.
- Charles Barkley
- Allen Iverson
- Joel Embiid
If I know your name, you’re doing something right. Maybe. Listen, Joel, bubby, we love you. We really do. You’re an MVP. A one-man wrecking crew. A generational talent. I don’t have the Sixers on my radar without you. But let’s not pretend this isn’t the least surprising announcement of the week. It’s like hearing, “Pat’s and Geno’s Both Suck.” Yes, we know. What would be surprising is if you actually liked those cheesesteaks when we can go down to South Street and get Jim’s.
Philly Reacts to Joel Embiid Status
Philly fans on social media are handling the news with their usual mix of humor and coping mechanisms. Fans are saying what we’re all thinking–this isn’t news. It’ll be news when Joel Embiid does play.
Or that Joel Embiid is the biggest “What If” in NBA history… I wonder if there’s room for him in the new season of Marvel’s What If…?
Is it time to Trust the Process again?
Silver Linings for Tonight’s Game
On the bright side, the Sixers’ younger players and recent additions have more opportunities to prove their worth and develop chemistry without Embiid on the court. This could be a crucial time for the team to learn how to compete and gel in his absence, especially given how unpredictable his availability has been over the years. And hey, the ultimate silver lining is that come playoff time, we’ll all have steeled ourselves for the emotional ups and downs of life as a Sixers fan.
So, Joel, rest up. Drink some Wawa coffee. We’ll see you when you’re ready. And if you’re feeling generous, maybe, just maybe, you can play a back-to-back before the All-Star break.
Or not. It’s fine. Really.
How are you feeling about the news of Joel Embiid sitting out tonight? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
