The Philadelphia 76ers could be accused of poor player management and general franchise management, considering that Daryl Morey and the rest of the Sixers’ front office appear ready and willing to give the Paul George and Joel Embiid experience another shot, going into the 2025-26 season. Given the current injury and recovery status of both players, their history, and the uncertainty of their future, it’s fair to ask just what Philadelphia is doing right now. With training camp set to kick off in September, the regular season won’t be far behind. However, a recent 76ers injury update to their injured star players is already casting a gloomy cloud over the new season, or at the very least, its start.
76ers’ Season Start In Further Flux After Latest Injury Update
NBA insider’s Paul George and Joel Embiid injury update foreshadows another doom and gloom season for the Philadelphia 76ers
According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, it’s not looking good for the Sixers at the moment. Neither Embiid nor George is fully recovered from the injuries they suffered last year, and in George’s case, a surgery he had over the summer. None of this is good news for Sixers fans, just as it isn’t for the franchise. Sticking with George and Embiid is an incredible risk to take, but one that Morey seems willing to take. He said so as much during his end-of-season press conference after the 76ers missed out on the 2024-25 playoffs.
When George or Embiid will be clear to play basketball again is entirely uncertain. As Siegel points out, their status puts the 76ers’ training camp and possibly their preseason in jeopardy. Specifically in Embiid’s case, Siegel doesn’t report any ounce of confidence in the big man’s availability right now.
“Only updates are that George is out for the start of training camp and may not play in the preseason. It’s too early to tell there,” Siegel said. “As for Embiid, there is genuine concern about his knee health. Of course, word from Philly gets downplayed, but around the league, the word is bad.”
What Philly does have going for them heading into the new season
Put aside the complicated realities surrounding George and Embiid; it’s not all bad for the franchise considering the rest of their roster. Most notably is Tyrese Maxey, who has reportedly put in some valuable work out time with LeBron James this summer. That said, his talent and basketball skills were already evident, and he’s one of Philly’s brightest young players.
Aside from Maxey, the 76ers boast a strong young group, including two very solid and high-potential young players in Jared McCain and the recently drafted V.J. Edgecombe. Unfortunately for McCain, he will miss the start of the 2025-26 season while recovering from his injury last season. That said, upon his return, the 76ers have an incredible roster piece in the making in McCain, as was evident by his play last season before going down.
In Edgecombe, if you paid attention to the Summer League, you will have seen the former Baylor Bear show he’s ready for the big NBA stage. With Edgecombe ready for the NBA and the eventual return of McCain, Philly has two players with high ceilings in the league and something to build on if the situation around George and Embiid takes a deeper turn for the worse.
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