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PHILADELPHIA — Without reigning league MVP Joel Embiid the Sixers had no answers in a crushing 136-121 loss Saturday night to the fledgling Brooklyn Nets at Wells Fargo Center.
If the game showed anything at all it was that the Sixers need clarity as soon as possible on Embiid, who suffered a lateral meniscus sprain of the left knee last Tuesday.
Just the tone of Sixers coach Nick Nurse’s “Nope, we’re still waiting” when asked for an update on Embiid spoke volumes about the intrigue surrounding the injury. Embiid had an MRI on the knee, the results of which have fueled widespread speculation he’s weighing rest versus surgical options.
The Sixers also were without the services of De’Anthony Melton (back), Robert Covington (knee) and Tobias Harris (illness). Those were non-issues compared to life without Embiid, who entered the weekend leading the league with a 35.3-point scoring average and was sixth on the circuit averaging 11.3 boards.
“Obviously, he was playing at an incredible level,” Nurse said. “I think that always magnifies it a little bit when somebody is having a fantastic season. But we’ll just wait and see what happens in the next few days.”
According to Sports Injury Central (SIC.com), should Embiid require surgery, he could sit out the rest of the regular season. The surgical options are key because Embiid injured the meniscus in the same knee in January of 2017. Embiid received the surgical “trim” option at that time, a procedure that can only be done a limited amount of time without potential long-term issues, per SIC. Another “trim” could return Embiid to the playoffs this season, although that reportedly would open the knee up to “further swelling and issues later down the line.”
Embiid also might not need surgery at all, although it’s unclear how much rest and rehab would be required before he returns to duty. Rest assured the Sixers, and Embiid, are seeking multiple opinions before proceeding. The All-Star break is Feb. 16 to 18.
“I think there’s a lot going on that he’s got to do,” Nurse said. “But for me, he’s been pretty positive.”
SIC also speculated that the Sixers could treat Embiid with “a platelet-rich plasma injection to promote healing before they re-evaluate him in mid-February.”
For now, Nurse has his fingers crossed that a two-headed center approach with veterans Paul Reed (6-9, 210) and Mo Bamba (7-0, 231) will bridge the time before Embiid returns. Reed is the rebounder, Bamba the rim protector.
“To me, Paul’s a hustle, rebound, putback, dump off guy,” Nurse said. “And Mo’s primarily just a caretaker of the ball on offense getting it from side to side and then defensively blocking shots. There’s 48 minutes up there at that position and I would like to share it with those two guys.”
Reed started at center and collected just two points and four rebounds in 14 minutes Saturday. He also was ill. Bamba registered five points and six boards in 15 minutes.
Cam Thomas tallied 40 points for the Nets (20-28), Mikal Bridges 23. Both made five three-pointers. Tyrese Maxsey topped the Sixers with 23 points.
“We practiced with a lot of different lineups,” Maxey said. “But not like this. … It’s different.”
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Melton (back) is targeting Monday to return from a back injury that’s sidelined him the past 11 games, although Nurse would confirm only that he will continue practicing.
The Sixers take on the Mavericks Monday at Wells Fargo Center. Covington’s injury will be a while. Harris could be back Monday.
Whatever the lineup, Nurse prefers to see more energy.
“I don’t like to use any excuses about anything,” Nurse said. “We still should try to play a little bit better especially at the defensive end. Get up and guard the three-point line.”
The Nets made 20 of 51 three-pointers.
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NOTES >> Former Sixer Ben Simmons checked into the lineup five minutes into the game for the Nets, and after the boos subsided was given an ovation for collecting a personal foul.
Simmons finished with nine rebounds and five assists in 13 minutes. He didn’t take a shot. … The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 8. Nurse conceded “There’s lots of moving thoughts” and urged his players to dig in their heels. “We need to be super tough-minded and do our job to the best of our ability,” he said.
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