How has Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid performed overall this season?
Joel Embiid has been one of the NBA's most surprising comeback stories this season.
When the big man has been on the court, he has been dominant and sometimes looks like the best player on the floor. However, fans haven't been able to see that level of play consistently, as Embiid has missed significant time due to injuries.
When Embiid has been on the floor, he has been one of the most dominant bigs in the sport. Through 33 games this season, he has averaged 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists this season on 50% from the field and 85% from the charity stripe. Embiid is still capable of the same nimble footwork in the post and self-creation skills that netted him an MVP in 2022. As a scorer, there are few players at his position, historically or currently, who can match his versatility and efficiency.
However, Embiid has once again had issues regarding his availability.
Embiid has missed significant time due to ongoing knee management and nagging injuries. These absences have disrupted both his individual rhythm and the team's continuity. In one game, Embiid is looking like his dominant self, scoring 30 points and getting to whatever spot he wants. The next 3 games, he may be sidelined. This has forced the Philadelphia 76ers to adjust on the fly.
In those moments, Philly has leaned heavily on players like Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe to carry the load. While both have stepped up, the difference in the team's performance with and without Embiid is clear.
When Embiid plays, the Sixers look like a playoff-caliber team, as they are 21-12 with him on the court. Without him, the 76ers miss his scoring punch, as they are 18-21 when he isn't on the court.
Two truths can define Embiid's season. His production remains elite and validates his status as one of the league's best players. At the same time, his availability remains a determining factor for Philadelphia's success.
If Embiid can come back healthy by playoff time, the Sixers could be a very tough matchup for whoever they come up against, as the electric scoring of Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe would be backed by the paint dominance of Joel Embiid.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.