Injuries and Joel Embiid are synonymous with playoff heartbreak for the Philadelphia 76ers under the "Trust the Process" banner. According to Embiid, the 2023 MVP might be making a big change in his season-long routine. ...
And if his "guess'' holds true? That could benefit the 76ers, of course. However, regarding the regular season, such a strategy could also become an edge for the New York Knicks.
"If I had to guess," Embiid said to ESPN , "I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career."
Embiid averaged 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in the six-game series vs the Knicks during the 2024 playoffs. Although those numbers imply a healthy series for the 76ers star, it was quite the opposite.
Embiid came into the playoff series recovering from a torn meniscus and a cerebral palsy diagnosis. However, despite such ailments, Embiid punished the Knicks with a 50-point performance in Game 3.
Considering such a beastly performance, especially in light of the recent defensive frontcourt regression, the Knicks could take the recent developments as a strategic advantage.
76ers president of basketball operation Daryl Morey is serious about staying healthy for the regular season, even to the point of predicting they'll be resting both aging stars in back-to-back sequences.
"We're going to be smart about it," Morey said. "Part of being smart about it is having both Paul and Joel probably not play many back-to-backs, if any."
Knicks fans have a reason to be saying the same thing about this development, and with elation. New York and Philadelphia play each other in two scenarios: the Embiid-led team has a scheduled back-to-back the day before and after playing their playoff rival.
The first scheduled regular-season match pits the Knicks against the 76ers in the Emirates NBA Cup on Nov. 12, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Perhaps the 76ers consider the matchup, which includes the NBA Cup group play rather than a standard regular-season contest. However, such a claim is merely speculation. Embiid may sit against the Knicks in their first scheduled matchup.
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However, their next scheduled game, which also occurs in a back-to-back scenario, pits the 76ers in a more complicated dilemma.
On Jan. 14, the 76ers face the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the Knicks scheduled on the second night of the back-to-back. Although the Thunder is one of the best teams in the league, as they earned the top seed in the Western Conference last season, the Knicks hold relevance as an Eastern Conference contender.
Predicting which game Embiid would sit in this situation depends on where the Knicks and 76ers fall in the Eastern Conference standings. It's fathomable for Philadelphia to suit up Embiid against the formidable Western Conference opponent as a test for Embiid, or its coaching staff could alternate between the star center and George, given his history with the Oklahoma City franchise.
While no victory is guaranteed, if Embiid sits in both back-to-back matchups, the Knicks could net two wins over the 76ers during the injury-prevention strategy of their older stars.
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