Philadelphia’s 76ers experienced their first loss of the NBA season on Sunday night, falling 21 points behind the Detroit Pistons, a defeat that underscored the team’s ongoing reliance on star center Joel Embiid. Embiid, who recently recorded a triple-double against Milwaukee, expressed a desire to play back-to-back games but was rested by the team to prevent risking injury early in the season.

Despite the addition of high-profile veterans such as LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, and the development of young talents like Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, the 76ers’ postseason success continues to hinge on Embiid’s health and presence on the court. Without Embiid, Philadelphia struggled with rebounding and interior defense, being outrebounded 54-37 by Detroit and allowing 24 second-chance points, exploits made easier without their All-Star anchoring the paint.

James, 41, took on significant minutes at center in Embiid’s absence, including winning the opening tip-off, though the Pistons dominated the rest of the game. Scoring 18 points with two rebounds, James finished with a minus-22 rating while matched up against Paul Reed. Acknowledging this was not a long-term solution, James noted that having Embiid at center remains the team’s sustainable option, with his own role at that position described as a temporary measure.

The 76ers faced further frontcourt challenges due to the absence of additional big men. Dominick Barlow (back), Jabari Walker (knee), and Tacko Fall, who has not yet played this season because of a left quadriceps strain, were all sidelined. James joked about the impact of having a 7-foot-6 player like Fall unavailable, emphasizing the team’s need for depth in the frontcourt.

Even in games with Embiid on the floor, the team has struggled with rebounding. In the matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, the 76ers were outrebounded 62-39 despite Embiid’s 11 rebounds. Maxey suggested that the return of injured big men would aid their rebounding issues, alongside more disciplined boxing out and effort.

James drew inspiration from a viral comment by Taurean Prince, a Detroit bench player and friend, who defined a rebound simply as “the ball goes up into the air. You go grab the ball.” Emphasizing the fundamentals, James said Philadelphia must do more to secure rebounds, a key area that contributed to their loss.

The 76ers’ loss without Embiid highlights the team’s ongoing challenge: balancing player health with on-court success. While resting Embiid early in the schedule is viewed as prudent, the team’s fortunes undeniably remain tied to the health and availability of their MVP-caliber center.