The scariest question facing each Philadelphia sports team

How can they win without Joel Embiid?

It’s not a question of “if” the Sixers will have to get the job done without Joel Embiid, but “when” and “for how long”? The star center’s health seems to hang in the balance at every turn, and with it the entire fortunes of the franchise and the enduring legacy of “The Process”.

It took Embiid just one game to tweak his ankle this season, but he was back in all-star form two days later after missing a single contest. This is the reality that the team faces right now, and presumably for as long as Embiid is on the team.

He will miss some games with bumps and bruises. And he will need to sit out some nights, usually back-to-back situations or games against inferior opponents. But he must avoid the catastrophe that would inexorably ruin what the Sixers have been building to for the better part of a decade.

They are a legitimately good team now, strong enough to weather the storm most nights against any opponent in the league even without the services of Embiid.

But extended absences by the big man could cost them dearly in the form of losing home-court advantage. Once the playoffs arrive, playing at home will be a key factor in determining how far they can go.

Embiid’s natural talent is obvious, but the 76ers are forced to hold their breath constantly. They’re just hoping that an NBA title will be the result before time runs out.