With the NBA announcing the suspension of games, players out injured are expected to benefit from the added time off. One of them is Joel Embiid, who is recovering from a shoulder injury. The Cameroonian has been spotted at practice but did not see action against the Pistons. Despite his absence, Philly won 124-106.
From here on, there is no official word on when the NBA will resume games. Philadelphia was scheduled to take on the Indiana Pacers on Mar. 14 but has been scrapped. The NBA is likely to monitor the coronavirus issue before deciding on its next step. The move is apparently for the safety of the players and the fans.
It would be a huge break for Embiid, who has dealt with injuries throughout the years. The Sixers are tied at 5th and 6th spot with the Pacers with similar 39-26 win-loss records. That shelved showdown with the Pacers would have been huge since the winner would likely get to face the Miami Heat instead of the Boston Celtics. Positioning is key now, with teams bracing for the playoffs.
The added time off may not be beneficial only to Embiid. Several players are also dealing with injuries, and the extended time off can help them rest and recuperate. The same goes for players who have been showing up but not at 100-percent. The bad news is that teams riding win streaks will lose their momentum heading into the final stretch of the NBA regular season.
Another player who could benefit from these developments is Josh Richardson. He was spotted practicing alongside Embiid recently but more rest could work to his advantage, Tim Bontemps reported. The better question now is how will the suspension of NBA games affect teams heading into the playoffs.
Other teams are facing a worse dilemma than Philly. In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Wizards are still trying to make a run to catch up to the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are sputtering and recently parted with head coach Kenny Atkinson. They are about 6 games behind, but the added respite could help them plan and make one last run.
The Western Conference is equally interesting. The Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings have a shot at the last spot currently held by the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis has been doing well, but the teams behind them can certainly catch up with a string of wins. Things will get even more interesting once the NBA resumes its games.
