There Is ‘Some Chance’ Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid Plays On Opening Night

The Sixers signed Embiid to a three-year, $192 million extension in September 2024. The 31-year-old big man is owed $248 million over the next four seasons.

Philadelphia went 24-58 last season. Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey only played in 15 games together, as all three All-Stars dealt with injuries.

Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season while shooting 44.4% from the field, 29.9% from beyond the arc and 88.2% from the free-throw line. He had seven double-doubles and one triple-double.

A Kansas product, Embiid has career averages of 27.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists with the Sixers. He’s made seven All-Star teams, five All-NBA teams and three All-Defensive teams. 

Embiid has played in only 58 games the last two seasons.

The Sixers drafted Embiid in 2014 with the third overall pick. Embiid, the 2023 MVP, missed the first two years of his career due to injuries. 

The Sixers haven’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era. Embiid has played with Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, James Harden, Maxey and George. 

Embiid helped Team USA win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics last summer. He scored a career-high 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2023-24 season.

A future Hall of Famer, Embiid hasn’t been healthy for the past few years. Hopefully, this is the season he’s finally able to stay healthy and play at a high level again, like he did in the 2022-23 season when he won the MVP Award.