Ultimately, Embiid is far and away their most valuable defensive piece. If he is anything close to resembling his typical self as a rim protector, it will cover up a whole lot of weaknesses elsewhere and give Nurse significantly more lineup optionality. That actually happening feels far-fetched.

"We have to figure out our rotations. We have to make sure that we're all healthy…and that we're all out there to play," Tyrese Maxey said.

Achilles had his ankle, and Joel Embiid has his left knee. 2026 will be the second season since his fateful meniscus tear against the Golden State Warriors, and