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Joel Embiid understands NBA mortality amid 76ers’ championship push
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- Joel Embiid understands NBA mortality amid 76ers’ championship push
Joel Embiid understands NBA mortality amid 76ers’ championship push appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
It can be difficult to believe sometimes, but Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is already 32 years of age. Due to persistent injury problems, Embiid’s best days appear to be in the rearview mirror, but every now and then, he flashes why he can be such a dominant force when healthy.
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In Game 5, with the 76ers’ season on the line down 3-1 against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, Embiid put up a herculean 33-point, four-rebound, eight-assist effort in a 113-97 victory on the road.
Embiid looked as unstoppable as ever in the second half of the 76ers’ much-needed victory, as the Celtics simply did not have an answer for him in the post. He was also moving well on defense, sliding his feet when coming out to guard the perimeter and doing his best to protect the rim.
No one is more familiar with one’s basketball mortality than Embiid is; his injury troubles have led him to contemplate retirement many times in the past. But the 76ers star loves to play basketball and is working harder than ever as he leaves it all on the floor to try and power his team’s championship hopes.
“I’m just thankful to be in a position where I get to play. I don’t know how long I have, how long I can do this, so I just want to enjoy as much as possible,” Embiid said in his postgame presser, via Oh No He Didn’t on X (formerly Twitter).
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“It means a lot. Obviously, I fought. I pushed very hard to come back to try and help as much as I can. I’m glad we won today. I didn’t want to go home and think about it all summer, you know, ‘What could have been if I was healthy going into the playoffs?'”
Embiid’s work ethic cannot be questioned. He underwent appendectomy on the ninth of April and he returned to action in Game 4, on the 26th of April. It only took him 17 days to recover from a surgery that had undergone complications . That is the mark of a true hero, and he should receive a welcome befitting of one when the 76ers return home for Game 6 on Thursday.
Related: 2 Celtics most to blame for disappointing Game 5 loss to 76ers
Related: 76ers’ Nick Nurse saw ‘different confidence’ in surprise Game 5 hero
