Philadelphia won all three games Joel Embiid played and lost the one he missed. The season turns on whether the front office can find center minutes that don't depend on his right heel.
Is the 3-1 start real, or is it an Embiid start?
In the three games Embiid played, Philadelphia beat New York, Cleveland and Milwaukee. He averaged 21.7 points with 9.7 boards and 5.7 assists, topped by a 28-11-10 triple-double against the Bucks. In the one game he missed, Detroit held the Sixers to 93 and won by 13. Tyrese Maxey earned Player of the Week honors, but a split that clean shows who this team actually runs through.
Who is actually behind him at center?
Barely anyone. Ariel Hukporti's right Achilles has him sidelined until October 2027, and Hoops Rumors reported the team applied for a disabled player exception for him. Dominick Barlow's back keeps him out until November 2. Tacko Fall, now on a two-way deal, was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, but he is still nursing a left quadriceps issue. That leaves Adem Bona and Dean Wade.
Can the Sixers just play small and survive?
There is a case for it. VJ Edgecombe is pulling down 8.0 rebounds a game as a guard, LeBron James 7.0, and Jaylen Brown is shooting 42.1 percent from three. The team's defensive rating sits at 102.4. The case against: James is at 10.0 percent from deep, Maxey at 30.0, and the Inquirer's Chris Hine reported the team is working on its rebounding with the frontcourt thinned out. Small ball works for stretches. It won't hold up for 78 games.
Should Embiid play both the Knicks and Hornets games?
No. Philadelphia hosts New York on October 30 and plays at Charlotte the following night. Embiid drew rest tags on October 23 and 24 before the heel put him on the injury report, and he managed only 38 games last season. The Knicks swept this team out of the second round in May. He plays that game. Charlotte gets the Bona and Wade frontcourt.
Does the front office have room to fix it?
Some. Payroll is $206.6 million, above the $200.4 million tax line, so every addition costs extra. The Sixers own their 2027 and 2030 first-round picks, plus a protected 2028 first and a 2029 swap. The exception tied to Hukporti is the cheapest tool available. Liberty Ballers' Greg Frank described the team as 'in a holding pattern at backup center.' Holding patterns tend to end when the fuel runs out.
Will Joel Embiid play against the Pacers on October 28?
A right heel issue has Embiid on the injury report, and the Indiana game on October 28 is his target date. He has not been ruled out.
Who is the 76ers' backup center right now?
With Ariel Hukporti and Dominick Barlow out and Tacko Fall on a two-way deal, Adem Bona and Dean Wade are the healthy options. Hoops Rumors reported the team has applied for a disabled player exception for Hukporti.
