PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers have to try and pick themselves up following the news of Joel Embiid’s meniscus injury in his left knee. While the big fella and the Sixers figure out how they’re going to go about treating the knee, the team still has to find ways to win.
That wasn’t the case on Saturday as Philadelphia dropped one to the Brooklyn Nets 136-121 at home. The Sixers fell to 4-10 without Embiid on the season as it has been a struggle on the floor without the reigning league MVP.
Tyrese Maxey, who will now have to take on more responsibility without Embiid on the floor, had 23 points on Saturday. The Sixers will now be looking to him as they figure out how to find success without the big fella.
“Honestly, my thing is I gotta get guys going and guys confidence going more,” Maxey said after the loss. “I think at the beginning of games, that would help us down the road. We’re missing guys. We’re missing pieces. So you know, guys gotta step up. We’re gonna have to go out there and compete extremely hard.”
The Sixers will have to show support to Embiid as much as he shows support to them. Obviously, he is the face of the franchise and he is a guy the Sixers will need to continue to lean on going forward.
“His spirit is as good as anybody who is hurt or who is going through something, but he’s been great, honestly,” Maxey said of Embiid. “I mean, he called me and congratulated me and just he texts us and tells us to go out there and be successful trying to win games, and he’s supportive of us.”
For now, Embiid will lean on the Sixers for the support through this tough time.
“We’re supportive of him as well,” Maxey finished. “Wherever he’s going through his rehab, whatever he has to do, we’re going to be there right there with him.”
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