The Athletic NBA Daily

Episode: Can the Philadelphia 76ers make the playoffs without Embiid?
Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour and Tony Jones

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Philadelphia 76ers’ tumultuous state as they approach the 2025-26 NBA season, focusing on the monumental question: Can the Sixers even make the playoffs if Joel Embiid misses significant time? Dave DuFour and Tony Jones analyze the team’s injury struggles, the evolving roster, key players’ outlooks, and where the Sixers realistically fit into the packed Eastern Conference race.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Philadelphia’s Ongoing Injury Saga

[01:48 – 04:44]

• Tony reflects on the relentless wave of Sixers injuries since Embiid’s knee issue in February 2024, starting the previous season in a slump and never recovering.
• Additional setbacks include Jared McCain’s knee and thumb injuries and persistent absences across the roster.
• The team’s vision, as constructed by Daryl Morey, stands sharply at odds with reality: "It has just been kind of continuous ever since." (Tony Jones, 02:42)

2. Joel Embiid’s Status: All Eyes on the MVP

[04:03 – 07:22]

• Embiid’s health remains the single biggest factor for the Sixers' chances. He’s shown some positive signs recently, participating in 5-on-5, traveling internationally, and moving without a brace.
• But official return dates are elusive, and he sat out both Abu Dhabi preseason games.
• “What we’re wondering is… is he in fact going to be ready on opening night? And then the question is if he is ready… how many games does he play?” (Tony Jones, 06:10)

3. The Sixers’ Roster Construction & Key Changes

[08:00 – 11:10]

• The biggest in-season addition last year: Quentin Grimes, who flashed scoring potential down the stretch. But was it real or “fake basketball?”
• Tony is also bullish on Trendon Watford, a sizeable, versatile forward who adds passing to a roster short on it.
• “They needed [Grimes’ scoring] to be real because they’re going to need his shooting, the rim pressure, his ability to defend… his scalability.” (Tony Jones, 09:49)

4. The Youth Movement: Edgecombe and McCain’s Roles

[11:36 – 14:21]

• Vijay Edgecombe, a surprise high lottery pick, brings tantalizing upside, elite athleticism, and rotational readiness: “He’s a guy who has a star outcome if he hits 100 of his ceiling.” (Tony Jones, 12:17)
• McCain’s development and injury recovery intertwines with Grimes’ future. If the team pivots, these young guards could be the new foundation.

5. Balancing Immediate Pressure and Development

[14:21 – 17:05]

• Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse are under mandate to win now; another pivot could imperil their jobs.
• Quoting the expectations, Tony says: “We know that… we have to win. We know that… essentially, talk is cheap. We have to go out and actually win the games.” (Tony Jones, 15:35)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Embiid’s impact:
  “The question with the Sixers right now is if Joel Embiid plays 41 games, can they win enough for the other 41 games for it to matter?” (Tony Jones, 28:27)

• On the lack of depth and need for health:
  “This team is dependent on how many games it’s able to get from either all of its big three or… two of its big three.” (Tony Jones, 07:23)

• On trying to build future around young guys while needing vets:
  “Do you want to commit four years and $60 million to a Quentin Grimes when you have these two dynamic young pups that are coming up… and you have to give them the runway to play?” (Tony Jones, 15:00)

• On Paul George:
  “My question with Paul George is… is he washed?... He didn’t have his usual burst...was that just [him] being hurt all year? Or is that, you know, Paul George being 34… and actually hitting the cliff?” (Tony Jones, 21:14)

• On defensive drop-off without Embiid:
  “People don’t realize… Joel Embiid was… the best drop big in the league other than Rudy Gobert. His advantage over Nikola Jokić was on defense.” (Tony Jones, 37:18)

Segment Timestamps & Discussion Points

[01:48] Starting the Sixers Preview

• Dave and Tony acknowledge the massive anxiety around this squad’s pre-season status due to injury.

[02:42] Review of Last Season’s Injury-Plagued Campaign

• Tony outlines the team's year-and-a-half of injuries and why the Embiid situation remains unresolved.

[04:03] Fate Hinges on Embiid’s Knee

• Updates on Embiid's mobility and positive practice signs, but no firm return date.

[07:22] Team Dependent on Star Availability

• Without Embiid, Maxey, and George, the supporting cast can’t mask roster holes.

[08:20] Roster Changes: Grimes and Watford

• Deep dive into Quentin Grimes’ emergence and Trendon Watford’s future utility.

[11:36] The Edgecombe Factor

• The Sixers’ rare lottery pick, his immense upside, and the challenge of developing him alongside win-now mandates.

[14:21] Organizational Pressure & Roster Logjam

• Morey and Nurse’s job security; the conundrum of developing youth while needing established contributors.

[18:03] Expectations for Paul George

• Can George stay healthy and productive? Does he have anything left after a down year?

[22:46] Can Sixers Survive if Embiid is Sidelined?

• They might be competitive with George, Maxey, and McCain, but wing depth is a major worry.

[25:27] Potential Trades and Dream Targets

• Paul George can’t be traded due to a clause, but in an ideal world, the Sixers would love to land Lauri Markkanen.

[28:27] What’s the Real Ceiling Without Embiid?

• Tony: “Can they win enough games without the sum of their parts?” Dave: The Sixers are hard to predict due to lineup uncertainty.

[30:54] Season Predictions

• Tony guesses: Embiid (55 games), George (68), McCain (70).
• Tony ranks likely East finish: after Knicks, Cavs, Magic, Hawks, Bucks, Boston, Indiana, Miami—Sixers realistically fight for 4th to 8th.
• Dave is skeptical 55 games from Embiid is enough even to secure a solid seed.

[34:10] The Defensive Void if Embiid Misses Time

• Embiid’s rim protection anchored elite defenses, and without prime Joel, Sixers lack that edge.

Final Takeaways

• Central Dilemma: The Sixers’ fortunes hinge on Embiid’s availability, with no real way to offset his absence in the lineup given roster construction and injury history.
• Other Keys: Paul George’s age, Maxey’s continued growth, and development of young guards are all swing factors—but everything is secondary to Embiid’s health.
• Skeptical Tone: Both hosts question if any scenario short of Embiid’s near-full health gives Philly a path out of the play-in mess.
• Long-term Outlook: If the Sixers are forced to pivot mid-season, a youth movement led by Edgecombe and McCain could trigger a teardown and reset for the organization.

Essential Quotes

• “If Joel Embiid plays 55, that means he’s missing 27. Sure, that's a pretty good ratio, but ... how many of those 55 are they going to win?” (Tony Jones, 38:46)
• “I can't see it, Tony. I cannot even, like, even with 55 games of Embiid, I just don't think it's enough.” (Dave DuFour, 35:21)

Summary in a Sentence

The 2025-26 Sixers are tantalizingly talented but perpetually precarious—without a healthy, dominant Joel Embiid, even the playoffs are no sure thing, and the front office may soon face a franchise-altering crossroads.