NBA Fans React To Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid Announcement

76ers star Joel Embiid will miss the first week of the 2024-25 NBA season.

Apr 20, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) grimaces after falling to the floor during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

On Wednesday evening, the Philadelphia 76ers will open up their season when they host the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center.

However, the team will be without two of their three best players, as they have announced that Paul George and Joel Embiid will both miss the game.

Via ESPN's Tim Bontemps: "The Sixers annouce that Joel Embiid will not play in any games this week, that Paul George will miss Wednesday's opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, and that Jared McCain's availability will be announced later today."

The Sixers annouce that Joel Embiid will not play in any games this week, that Paul George will miss Wednesday's opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, and that Jared McCain's availability will be announced later today.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) October 22, 2024

Many fans have reacted to the news about Embiid.

@ayoBee_: "Nothing tells you the NBA is back more than Joel Embiid not playing basketball!"

Nothing tells you the NBA is back more than Joel Embiid not playing basketball! https://t.co/6kYPeSKWXP

— B. 🇩🇴 (@ayoBee_) October 22, 2024

@statdefender: "We already know the ending of this story"

We already know the ending of this story pic.twitter.com/t4O7VstCsA

— Stat Defender (@statdefender) October 22, 2024

@lockedinjb: "This is how you know the NBA is back 😭"

This is how you know the NBA is back 😭

— jb (parody) (@lockedinjb) October 22, 2024

@jbondwagon: "I see that the Sixers duo is already in their Playoff form for season opener 😭"

I see that the Sixers duo is already in their Playoff form for season opener 😭

— JBond (@jbondwagon) October 22, 2024

@mocliffff: "Makes me not wanna buy tickets anytime soon. Bummer"

Makes me not wanna buy tickets anytime soon. Bummer https://t.co/HS6JWGk3Hh

— Morgan (@mocliffff) October 22, 2024

@Beastbr00k0: "Load management already for Joel?"

Load management already for Joel?

— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) October 22, 2024

Via ESPN's Cassidy Hubbarth: "Joel Embiid and Paul George (ruled OUT opening night vs the Bucks Wed.) got up shots together post practice today. Joel was also seen wearing a knee brace during 3v3 drills. Nick Nurse says Joel hasn’t experienced any setbacks, he is just not ready to play yet."

Joel Embiid and Paul George (ruled OUT opening night vs the Bucks Wed.) got up shots together post practice today. Joel was also seen wearing a knee brace during 3v3 drills. Nick Nurse says Joel hasn’t experienced any setbacks, he is just not ready to play yet. pic.twitter.com/VBtzpjrvQC

— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) October 22, 2024

Embiid finished last season with averages of 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocks per contest while shooting 52.9% from the field and 38.8% from the three-point range in 39 games.

Following the Bucks, the 76ers will play their second game on Friday evening when they visit the Toronto Raptors in Canada.