CAMDEN, N.J. — To begin the 2022-23 season, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has not looked like himself. He is averaging 20.5 points and 13.5 rebounds, but he’s shooting just 38.5% from the floor and averaging 5 turnovers per game.
In Thursday’s 90-88 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Embiid shot 6-for-21, and he was 0-for-7 after halftime. It was an uncharacteristic game for one of the league’s top talents, and it was strange to see him be so inefficient.
As the team convened for a film session day on Friday, coach Doc Rivers discussed Emiid’s slow start, and he revealed a telling nugget.
“He had a little plantar fasciitis before the season started,” Rivers stated. “Before training camp and that took him off his conditioning program, and so he’s back on that. He’s playing with the right intention. He just didn’t play well and that’s OK, too. That’s gonna happen. We still gotta win those games.”
Rivers made it very clear that Embiid’s issues were before the season and that the problem isn’t bothering him now. He has been a full-go so far to begin the season, but the fact he was off his conditioning program may be a big reason the big fella is off to such a slow start.
Rivers now must be careful in balancing his minutes.
“The No. 1 thing with Joel is just trying to change his minute allocation early,” he added. “We don’t like that because we wanted to go with a different type of rotation, but right now, we probably have to do it different just to keep him so he’s running at a higher speed.”
Embiid also has a history of starting the season slowly. He didn’t play at a high level to begin the 2021-22 season. He didn’t really take off until around Christmas, but he then beat up the league through the end of the season.
“I’m the least worried about Joel probably,” said Rivers. “He didn’t play well and that’s OK. That’s gonna happen. He’s gonna get his rhythm, his conditioning, all that has to get better, but it will so I’m not concerned with that. I think if we can get Joel those shots he had last night (Thursday) every night, I think most of the time, we’re gonna be very happy about the outcome.”
The Sixers look to get into the win column on Saturday when they host the San Antonio Spurs.
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