The center's contract becomes more of an albatross with every game he misses, every night that he happens to suit up and ends up hobbling from one end of the court to the other.

There will be no Process 2.0 here, a half-season tank to ensure Philly retains its '25 first-round pick and lives to fight another season.

The Philadelphia 76ers have won just three of their last 10 games and are 10-21 without Joel Embiid this year. Still, the 76ers brass is confident that Embiid will return to action and lead them to the playoffs.