On the one hand, him coming back from the injury makes it scary

On the other, could you imagine telling the dude who hates sitting regular season games that he can’t play game 7 because they’re being cautious?

Tough call

Oh boy what, this was totally expected

Good way to activate Jaylen Brown though

I think we’ve reached “oh buddy” territory

If he has another serious lower leg injury, his career might be Klay-esque from here on out.

Well honestly they played fine without him during reg season. I think it’s more important they have him for playoffs

Yep. I’d love for Franz to come back tomorrow, but he’s in a walking boot and no need to risk it at this point. Plus, the Magic have put up enough of a fight without him in G5/6 (besides the second half)

Everything else aside, all the injuries (old and new) in these playoffs are another point supporting my “the season is too long” take.

(Ofc, the AAU of it all is a whole other, potentially more relevant, matter, but that’s a whole other can of worms.)

I mean. They are clearly taking this lightly prior. In game 6 you could tell he was in pain. He should have been pulled immediately.

Teams should do what Spurs are doing with Wembanyama and limiting players minutes all season.

It’s not a tough call at all. The right choice is obvious

I think people are insane if they believe Tatum went through everything he did to get back on the court on an extremely aggressive timeline just to sit out a game 7 for precautionary reasons.

He very well may not play, but if he doesn’t it will because he has an injury, not because they are being cautious.

They are not setting the world on fire past few games even with him playing. Seems like a no brainer to sit him and let JB and PP do their thing.

Devil’s advocate:

It would be a totally Sixers move to lose game 7 in a blowout when the Celtics’ best player is out.

Celtics and Nuggets both exiting in the first round would be genuinely insane. I think it would change how much we overestimate top seeds going forward

Probably makes the offense go back to early season Celtics when they were winning and not the my turn Celtics after Tatum got back 

As always, it will depend on their 3-9 high variance players 

Especially derrick white, he’s looking old 

Trap game, you’re not fooling me 😤

seriously. downside wayyyyyy outdoes the upside

Absolutely. Dude has many years left of mvp caliber player. Don’t risk a Grant Hill situation for this year.

Hell na. Would absolutely suck if he got hurt again. One of the rare actual good dudes in the league and I hate to admit it. The only knock people have on him is corny.

Least predictable 76ers playoff outcome

This is the most likely outcome if you ask me

We wouldn’t even flinch

Sixers can’t lose without establishing hope first.

I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t be particularly amused

That’s actually the most likely scanerio.  Any true sixers fan would know that 

It’s law of nature that Embiid cannot get past the second round.

That’s literally us

I agree. Celtics have played 60 games without Tatum this year, no excuses if they can’t win without him

He said 96% bill only uses wonky numbers

Well fuck, if Bill Simmons said it …

There you have it then, if Bill Simmons said he doesn’t want to the Celtics won’t play him 100%

Bill Simmons has that kind of pull yeah

Well Bill Simmons is not making that decision

It’s settled then

Ok, but what does Ja Rule want them to do?

Billy boy is search for an excuse

On the flip side you’re always the last to see your window close. This might be their best shot and it is never promised you make it back

There’s a solid chance the Celtics window is already closed - don’t see them beating OKC or San Antonio but given the clusterfuck that is the east, it’s probably worth sacrificing this year to prioritize the long term health of Tatum to be a viable east leader in the future. You never know what can happen with injuries to other teams so they’ve got a real shot in the next 5 years if they keep getting to the ecf or finals

This season is at least as good of a shot at a ring as any coming up. They’re in cap hell so it’s not like you’re reloading with a bunch of studs next year, you have a good team, are pretty healthy, the east is all flawed teams, the best in the west have some injury problems (jdub, wemby) and are likely to be just as good next year, etc.

They really have no reason to be embarrassed if they lose. Celtics have no viable big, white can’t throw it in the ocean most of the series, Tatum is maybe 80% at best. No one even expected them to be here and sixers are the much better starting 5 on paper.

yup

I think he came back too early from the achilles tear. It was too fast better just sit him it’s not worth it.

I don’t think either of us are completely capable of impartiality: I felt pretty strongly that Embiid should sit, 2 weeks after abdominal surgery and playing in the playoffs still sounds crazy to me.

But what the hell do either of us really know? Google, AIs, and ‘common sense’ say Embiid should be sitting. But Embiid and the 76ers medical staff are vastly more informed than we are. Who’s to say?

All I know is that 1. I want Tatum to play except 2. if the best minds say that Tatum should sit, then I want him to sit.

IVE PLAYED THESE GAMES BEFORE

The fact that he came back playing so well so quickly is remarkable. As a fan of the sport it genuinely is not worth it.

What Would Kevin Durant

As a Sixers fan, more Walsh and Scheierman minutes is exactly what I don’t want.

He had a calf injury (they denied it after) where he was continuously flexing it and left in the middle of the third, not returning last game.

Not at all. Its extremely common for athletes who are coming back from major leg injuries to injure their other leg soon after due to them favoring it cuz they dont trust the injured one.

that’s always their state before it’s changed