Can the Philadelphia 76ers win without Joel Embiid?

TORONTO, ON – APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during second half of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round at Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

After taking down the Toronto Raptors in six games in Round 1, the Philadelphia 76ers are moving on to face off against the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs.

The Heat disposed of the Atlanta Hawks in five games, and both of these teams have title hopes on their minds. Unfortunately for the 76ers, their hopes may have just gone down the drain.

On Friday, it was revealed that superstar center Joel Embiid had suffered an orbital fracture as well as a concussion and would be out indefinitely. And that’s in addition to the torn ligament he was playing through already.

Can the Philadelphia 76ers win without Joel Embiid?

Losing Embiid is a heartbreaker for the Sixers, who went all-in at the deadline when they traded for James Harden. Now, it’s looking like their season could be over just like that.

Now, there’s always a chance that Embiid returns at some point during the series. He is listed out “out indefinitely,” but if the Sixers give him even the slightest chance to play again, he will undoubtedly play through the injury to help his team.

But let’s say Embiid doesn’t return. Where does that leave the 76ers? What would Philadelphia have to do in order to put up a fight against the first-seeded Heat?

Well, first and foremost, if there was any time for Harden to go back to playing as he did on the Houston Rockets, that time is now. The Sixers desperately need him to step up if they want to have any chance against Miami.

He’s going to have the ball in his hands now more than ever, and if he can show flashes of Houston Harden, then maybe, just maybe, Philly can make things interesting.

Outside of that, it will be up to Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxe y to carry the scoring load during this series. Both have played well through the first round, but they’ll have to kick things up a notch with Embiid out.

All-in-all, losing Embiid, an MVP candidate this season, likely spells the end of Philadelphia’s season. However, if the right people can step up, maybe they’ll be able to put up a fight.