The Philadelphia 76ers experienced further challenges in their season as they finally saw their trio of stars—Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey—take the court together for the first time. Unfortunately, this promising moment was short-lived, lasting only about a half, as Paul George suffered a left knee hyperextension and had to exit the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, which ended in a 117-111 defeat.
This knee injury is a significant concern for George, as it is the same one that kept him out for the first five games of the season due to a bone bruise from a previous hyperextension. The injury occurred in the third quarter when George landed awkwardly after attempting to defend Desmond Bane of the Grizzlies, leading to immediate discomfort.
In a rough turn of events, shortly after George was ruled out, Embiid also encountered an injury scare when he knocked knees with Grizzlies player Jaren Jackson Jr. Despite limping towards the bench, Embiid was able to continue playing.
This misfortune compounds the struggles of the 76ers, who entered the game with a record of 2-11, tied for last place in the Eastern Conference. The team had high hopes this season after acquiring George but has faced a series of injuries. Embiid and George both missed time early in the season due to their respective injuries, and the challenges continued when Embiid faced a suspension for an altercation related to his injury management and Maxey suffered a hamstring issue.
While this season has been plagued by a series of setbacks, the hope for the 76ers remains. The return of all three players to the court signals potential for future games. With the right adjustments and consistent health among their key players, the 76ers can still fight for a better position in the Eastern Conference as the season progresses.