Sixers' Joel Embiid tasked with monumental challenge

A season after losing in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Philadelphia 76ers seemed primed for success in 2023-24.

A little more than halfway through the season, Sixers center Joel Embiid had reached a level even higher than his MVP season last year. Meanwhile, point guard Tyrese Maxey assumed the role of No. 2 scorer and appeared in his first All-Star Game. As a team, the Sixers had the third-best net rating in the NBA. 

Then came a left knee injury to Embiid, who hasn't played since Jan. 30.

In Embiid's absence, the Sixers (40-35) have fallen to eighth in the Eastern Conference and likely face at least one play-in game. It's an unusual position for the team, which has not finished worse than fourth in the conference since the 2020-21 season.

With Embiid expected to return soon, the Sixers will expect to advance out of the play-in tournament. After that, their prospects get murky.

If the 76ers win the play-in tournament, they will likely face the Celtics or Bucks in the first round. That seems like a monumental challenge for Embiid and the Sixers considering their recent playoff shortcomings (no conference finals appearances).

The entire Sixers organization revolves around Embiid, a player who will take Philadelphia to the promised land or keep it from it. 

Every player has an expiring clock, but that clock runs faster for a 7-foot, 280-pound player who already been under the knife multiple times to repair various injuries. 

However, there should be an urgency and an expectation for the Sixers to win a championship when Embiid is available — even in a season that's gone awry like this one.

With Embiid and new additions this season, the 76ers have a championship-level team. Philadelphia acquired added depth at the trade deadline, including an excellent perimeter player in Buddy Hield. In Nick Nurse, they have a coach with a championship pedigree. Plus, they have another All-Star in Maxey.

With Embiid back, the roster for the Sixers is slightly better than the one that had the second-best net-rating at one point this season. For the Sixers to be successful, though, Embiid must reach the same level of performance he had pre-injury (35.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG).

At one point, this felt like "the season" for Philadelphia. Now, with seven games left in the regular season, there must be a sense of urgency from Embiid and his teammates for the 76ers to make it that.