The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint. But for the Philadelphia 76ers, they’re being forced to limp out of the starting blocks. As the Boston Celtics prepare to raise their latest championship banner and kick off the 2025-26 season this Wednesday, they’ll be facing a severely shorthanded opponent. While the 76ers will finally have Joel Embiid available for an opening night, a trio of key players, including superstar Paul George, will be watching from the sidelines, casting a long shadow over Philadelphia’s early campaign.
Dec 28, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Paul George (8) react to a play against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The Walking Wounded: 76ers’ Injury Report Reveals Glaring Absences
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the Philadelphia 76ers will be without three significant contributors for their season opener against the Celtics:
Paul George (Forward): The nine-time All-Star is still working his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee during the summer and has not yet been cleared to play.
Jared McCain (Guard): The promising second-year combo guard is recovering from right UCL thumb surgery. He missed most of his rookie season with a separate knee injury.
Trendon Watford (Forward): Ruled out with a tight left hamstring.
This “Accidentally Semi-Rebuilding” 76ers squad, as some have dubbed them, is facing an uphill battle from day one. After a disastrous 2024-25 season (24-58) derailed by injuries to their top stars, this is not the fresh start they envisioned.
The Paul George Conundrum: A Max Contract and Major Concerns
The absence of Paul George is the most significant storyline. At 35 years old and coming off a season where he “regressed mightily,” his unavailability raises serious questions about the $211.6 million, four-year investment the 76ers made in him just last year.
Last season, in just 41 games, George averaged 16.2 points on inefficient .430/.358/.814 shooting splits, along with 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists. For a player of his caliber and paycheck, these numbers and his persistent health issues are a major cause for concern for a franchise trying to compete around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
A Glimmer of Hope and a Crowded Backcourt
The one positive for Philadelphia is the availability of Joel Embiid on opening night—a rarity in recent years. Additionally, the eventual return of Jared McCain will be a boost. Before a meniscus tear cut his rookie year short at just 23 games, the No. 16 pick from Duke was a Rookie of the Year candidate, averaging 15.3 points with impressive shooting splits (.460/.383/.875).
However, when McCain does return, he’ll find a crowded backcourt. He’ll be competing for minutes with the newly healthy Tyrese Maxey, 2025’s No. 3 pick V.J. Edgecombe, and the “disgruntled” Quentin Grimes. The 76ers have depth, but managing roles and expectations will be a key challenge.
Celtics’ Own Questions: Brown Questionable, Tatum Still Out
While the Celtics have caught a break with their opponent’s health, they are not at full strength themselves. The league’s injury report has downgraded All-Star Jaylen Brown to questionable due to a left hamstring strain.
More notably, the face of the franchise, Jayson Tatum, remains out as he continues his recovery from May surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. The Celtics’ depth will be tested early as they begin their title defense without their best player.
The stage is set for a tale of two teams with very different, yet equally pressing, injury concerns. The Boston Celtics, while missing their superstar Tatum, will open their championship defense with a significant advantage against a depleted 76ers roster. For Philadelphia, the season begins under a cloud of uncertainty. The availability of Embiid is a positive, but the absences of Paul George and Jared McCain underscore the fragile foundation upon which their hopes are built. The 76ers’ marathon has begun, but with key players already on the sidelines, the path ahead looks steeper than ever.