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Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid injuries are untimely

By Alec Liebsch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 13: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 116-109. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 13: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 116-109. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images /

Injuries are considered the norm in the NBA, but the Philadelphia 76ers’ management of its stars’ health has not been.

In January of 2017, the Philadelphia 76ers went on a run for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. From December 30th to January 30th, they went 11-5, winning nine of the 12 games Joel Embiid suited up for in that stretch.

There was a catch though: three of those four absences came in a row at the end of January, right after Embiid suffered a bone bruise against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 20th. Only for a Friday night bout against the Houston Rockets would he reappear, then he was found to have a torn meniscus which caused him to miss the rest of the season. It perplexed Sixers fans and the NBA community as a whole as to why they let him play at all.

Fast forward to this season. Ben Simmons had been sidelined with a back injury for Philly’s February 20th matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, only to reappear for a Saturday night matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. It was reported that Simmons was set to receive treatment in the locker room during his periods off the court. He didn’t even eclipse five minutes before needing X-rays, being ruled out for the game, and The Athletic’s Shams Charania reporting he will miss at least two weeks. Once again Sixers fans and the NBA community were perplexed why they let him play at all.

Related Story. Living with Ben Simmons' extended absence. light

Lest we forget, Embiid also suffered a hand injury on January 6th that he proceeded to get checked out and come back into the game with. Only for the next nine games was he inactive, needing surgery on the finger he played serious minutes with after dislocation.

And what do ya know, Embiid is hurt once again. On Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the big fella hurt his shoulder and was grimacing in pain while taking free throws, both of which he missed. He will get an MRI Thursday, per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. That was probably just bad luck, but Embiid’s fragility in general should behoove the Sixers to not be reckless with Simmons. Yet here we are.