Key players return, bolstering the Sixers' depth and playoff hopes as they prepare to face the formidable Pistons in a crucial NBA Cup matchup.
While the Philadelphia 76ers have managed to start their season with a 7-4 record, the path to this success hasn't been easy. The Sixers have been without Paul George for the entire season so far, and Joel Embiid has missed more than half of the team's games already. Additionally, Jared McCain was out for the first six games of the season, and Dominick Barlow has been out since the team's third game.
Fortunately, however, as the team prepares to take on the best team in the Eastern Conference for the second time this season, they have received some positive injury updates. Firstly, while George will remain out, it appears he's in the final stage of recovery, and the doctors are just waiting on him to get a bit more strength in his left quadricep before clearing him to play.
Secondly, despite Embiid being listed out against the Celtics due to right knee soreness (not the same knee that he had surgery on), they found no structural issues with his knee, and he's on a day-to-day status.
Finally, the biggest injury update that the team announced is that Barlow will be returning against Detroit, which is huge for Philadelphia. After scoring 13 points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists in the Sixers' first game of the season, Barlow left the next game with a right elbow laceration after playing just 16 minutes.
While statistically, he wasn't putting up absurd numbers, he was looking like he would be the team's puzzle piece, fitting into the game wherever he's needed. Trendon Watford has stepped up into that role with Barlow's absence, but the void Barlow left is clear.
With George out, the Sixers have very little depth at forward right now, and they've needed a guy like Barlow to help the team consistently play hard through four quarters, something they haven't done much this season. He also has a +8 +/-, and finished in the positive in both games that he played in this season.
Though it may not be an MVP-caliber player returning to the team, it's been clear how much the team could have used him at times. It's very possible that if he wasn't injured during this stretch, the Sixers could be on top of the Eastern Conference right now. Fortunately, even though the Sixers might not be on top, they'll have him back as they try to knock off the Pistons from the top spot.