Al Horford says Sixers have to be better after losing Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers big man Al Horford says the team needs to be better to fill in for Joel Embiid.

The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the more talented teams on paper led by two young All-Stars and they have proven veterans around them. However, as both of those All-Stars were out with injuries on Wednesday, they faltered against a bad Cleveland Cavaliers team.

As Joel Embiid left in the first quarter with a shoulder sprain, more pressure fell upon Al Horford, Tobias Harris, and josh Richardson to pick up the slack and they could not do it. Horford shot just 4-for-10 for 10 points, Harris shot 4-for-13 for 11 points, and Richardson shot 4-for-12 for nine points.

Postgame, Horford reacted to losing Embiid saying:

We’ve been playing through him and leaning on him a lot and once he was out, I felt like we didn’t really what was next.

With both Embiid and Ben Simmons out, naturally, it would fall on those three to pick up the slack. Horford added:

I see it as a team effort. I feel like there’s an opportunity for guys who haven’t been playing as much to step up. All of us have to step up. We need to be better and figure out how we’re going to play. It’s obviously two huge losses for our group.

It does not get any easier for this group. They have a quick turnaround and return home on Thursday to face the New York Knicks, but then embark on a four-game California swing beginning on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. [lawrence-related id=26571,26562,26556]