PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are in the midst of a big challenge. They have to find ways to win without the services of Joel Embiid, who will be out at least a month after undergoing a procedure to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee.
The Sixers are 4-11 in games Embiid doesn’t play. They need solid play out of someone, such as Paul Reed, to stay afloat without the big fella.
As a starter on the season, Reed is averaging 10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 13 such games. He struggled in the losses to the Brooklyn Nets and the Dallas Mavericks due to an illness he has been trying to play through.
“The last couple games I’ve been coming in playing sick, so it’s been a challenge for me going out and playing through that,” Reed said. “I’ve been here before. I know what it takes to win. It takes a great amount of energy from me. I’ve got to come out ready to give out all that energy.”
This has been a challenge not only for Reed, but also for the Sixers. It’s not easy trying to replace what Embiid brings to the table. Philadelphia must rely on Reed to produce more.
“As a team, we’ve got to make sure we stay together, play the right way, and be there for each other,” Reed said. “I feel like that’s gonna be huge. Playing for each other. For me, I gotta go out there and make sure that I’m helping my teammates get better. That’s gonna help me be better.”
It will not be easy winning games without Embiid, but the Sixers are looking forward to the challenge until the reigning league MVP can return.
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