NBA Power Rankings week 12: injury fallout, OKC Thunder highs and lows
25-15. Previous: 13th. Philadelphia 76ers. 11. team. 93.
Philadelphia 76ers:
Offense: (109.1) 17th
Defense: (105.8) 6th
Net: (plus +3.3) 11th
Games Week 12 (2-1): Won vs. Thunder: 120 -113, Celtics: 109-98, Lost vs. Mavericks: 91-109
Games Week 13 (4 games): Mon at Pacers | Weds vs. Nets | Fri vs. Bulls | Sat at Knicks
Joel Embiid had surgery to repair the torn radial collateral ligament in his left hand this week. Although the team says they’ll reassess after two weeks from what I’ve read on the matter most players with this type of injury tend to be out at least four to six weeks.
The big question will be how the team fares without him both in terms of how they play on the road where they struggle and in finding offense without their star.
Just a small point to consider — the 76ers rank 17th offensively and sixth defensively….. and haven’t had to deal with tons of injuries this season. In contrast, the team who took them out of the playoffs last year has navigated almost the entire season missing between two and four of their top seven players weekly and yet while they fall to 18th offensively this week they rank second defensively.
Who knows, maybe Embiid’s absence will turn out to be a blessing in disguise to allow Embiid’s court mates to find a rhythm and flow that will benefit them once the big man returns.
Schuhmann: 13th