Fansided

5 lingering injuries that could impact the NBA playoffs

By Ian Levy

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Chicago Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center on February 9, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 118-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Chicago Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center on February 9, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 118-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid

The 76ers entered this season with championship aspirations but have struggled to deliver on that potential. They started the season 20-7 but have gone 17-18 since Dec. 13, getting outscored by an average of 1.7 points per 100 possessions. Things have been particularly bad since Ben Simmons left their Feb. 22 game against the Bucks. Philadelphia lost that game and Simmons hasn’t played since, as they’ve picked up wins against the lowly Hawks and Knicks, but lost to Cleveland and both Los Angeles teams.

Simmons is struggling with a nerve impingement in his lower back. The 76ers will be re-evaluating him soon but the expectation is that he won’t be returning to the lineup anytime soon and if rehabilitation is unsuccessful, he could be looking at surgery this summer. In addition, Joel Embiid has suffered a shoulder injury which is keeping him out of the lineup in the short-term.

With both stars out of the lineup, the 76ers could be watching their chances at hosting a first-round playoff series evaporate. If they can’t return at some approximation of their ceilings, Philadelphia might not even have a chance to see the second-round.

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