In the first game of the first-round series between the Philadelphia Sixers and the New York Knicks, the absence of Joel Embiid proved to be a significant obstacle for the Sixers. Despite a strong performance from Embiid, who scored 29 points and contributed in various facets of the game, Philadelphia suffered a loss to the Knicks.

Throughout the 37 minutes that Embiid played, he showcased his dominance on the court. However, the Sixers struggled in the 11 minutes when Embiid was not on the court, trailing the Knicks by 21 points during that time. The team acknowledged the challenge of transitioning between playing with and without Embiid, highlighting the need to find alternative ways to be effective and maintain leads when he is resting.

The health of Embiid's knee, which underwent surgery in February, remains a concern. Although Embiid expressed feeling "pretty good" following the game, the Sixers are hoping for his steady availability in Game 2 on Monday. Philadelphia understands the importance of maintaining stability when Embiid is not playing, with players emphasizing the need for increased pace, decisiveness, energy, and communication in those moments.

This is not a new issue for the Sixers. In previous seasons, their performance without a reliable backup for Embiid was a struggle, resulting in significant point differentials in favor of opposing teams when he was not on the court. This year, even though the team has become more complete at full strength, they continue to face challenges in their minutes without Embiid.

In their regular-season games without Embiid, the Sixers experienced a negative point differential and a mixed offensive and defensive performance. A record of 16 wins and 27 losses in the 43 games Embiid missed underscores the team's need for additional players to step up during his absence.

During Game 1 against the Knicks, Tyrese Maxey stood out with an impressive 33-point performance, while Kyle Lowry contributed 18 points. However, the rest of the team struggled offensively, particularly the bench, which was outscored by a significant margin.

To address this issue, the Sixers may consider adjusting their rotation strategy. Instead of relying solely on Embiid, they could explore substituting key players earlier and utilizing them to stabilize the second unit when he is off the court. The coaching staff recognizes the importance of having the right personnel on the court both with and without Embiid's presence.

Going forward, Philadelphia hopes to see improved performances from players such as Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Buddy Hield, who need to get more involved offensively. The team acknowledges the need for both individual improvement and better collective performance. Despite struggling on the glass and facing a significant deficit with Embiid off the court, the Sixers remained competitive until the closing stages of Game 1, demonstrating the potential for success if they can address their second unit's deficiencies.

As the series progresses, Philadelphia aims to learn from their Game 1 loss and show growth, particularly in the minutes without Embiid. Players understand the importance of sharpening their focus, enhancing their chemistry, and finding ways to succeed even when their star player is on the sideline.

The Sixers will have an opportunity to bounce back and prove their resilience in Game 2 on Tuesday.