The Philadelphia 76ers faced a challenging night as they struggled without star player Joel Embiid, resulting in a 120-109 loss to the Utah Jazz. Embiid’s absence due to swelling in his left knee significantly impacted the team’s performance, dropping their record to 2-6 without him.
The Jazz capitalized on the 76ers’ lack of an elite rim protector, scoring 72 points in the paint. Lauri Markkanen led the way for Utah with 33 points and 13 rebounds, while Collin Sexton added 22 points and 10 assists. This victory was a significant turnaround for the Jazz, who had suffered a heavy loss to Boston the previous night.
Tyrese Maxey, who led the Sixers with 25 points, emphasized the need for different players to step up in Embiid’s absence. Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win for Philadelphia, which was also missing Tobias Harris due to an ankle injury and other key rotation players like De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse expressed disappointment in the team’s performance, highlighting the need for better execution, defense, and shooting. The Sixers struggled particularly from the 3-point line, with Nic Batum, Oubre, and Maxey missing several shots.
Embiid’s absence not only affected the game’s outcome but also has implications for his eligibility for major NBA awards. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, players must participate in 65 regular-season games to qualify for awards like MVP or All-NBA teams.
With Embiid having missed several games already this season, including four in December, his availability for these awards could be at risk.
The game saw the Jazz exploit their size advantage, with Markkanen’s performance standing out. Utah also had a strong start, leading 58-57 at halftime, but they did commit 24 turnovers.
The Sixers, who are set to face Atlanta on Wednesday, plan to have a physical practice on Monday to regroup and address their current challenges. The Jazz, on the other hand, will look to build on their win as they face Milwaukee next.
This game underscores the significant impact Embiid has on the 76ers and highlights the challenges they face in his absence, both in terms of game strategy and maintaining a competitive edge in the league.
