Embiid's nine seasons on the court weren’t enough for anyone to be satisfied. But what if that stretch was as good as it was ever going to get?

Philadelphia's big three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George struggled once ... Squeaking in as a No. 7 or No. 8 seed and losing in four or five games against the Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics? There are two things to consider.

Joel Embiid is out for the season due to a knee injury as the Philadelphia 76ers face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 76ers, already struggling with other injuries, will have to cope without their star center.

The Philadelphia 76ers remain unwilling to shut down Joel Embiid, even as the former MVP reportedly requires regular injections just to play. Despite sitting at 20-38 and 12th in the Eastern Conference,

In a showdown of the East's top two teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a 22-point deficit in their best win of the season against the Boston Celtics. Donovan Mitchell took over down the stretch as Boston melted away in a possible Eastern Conference Finals preview.

The Sixers need to start thinking about what life might look like if Joel Embiid never resembles his MVP self again.

In. Part of the team's struggles stem from the lack of availability from former MVP Joel Embiid, who has played just 18 of the 55 games this season. Embiid had meniscus surgery on his left knee last February and returned to the court in April,