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The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing for the 2025–26 NBA season without their franchise cornerstone, Joel Embiid. With Embiid sidelined following knee surgery, the team is turning to Turkish international Adem Bona, a rising center, to help fill the void in the paint. As the Sixers look to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference, Bona’s energy and defensive presence are proving to be a timely asset.
Since entering the NBA, Embiid’s career has been a mix of dominance and disruption due to persistent injuries. The 2024–25 season saw him appear in just 19 games before being shut down. Now, after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, he’s expected to miss at least the early stretch of the new season.
Here’s a breakdown of his injury history:
With Embiid on the sidelines, Adem Bona has emerged as a key figure in Philadelphia’s early-season plans. Drafted in 2024 out of UCLA, the 22-year-old big man brings elite athleticism, shot-blocking, and nonstop hustle to the Sixers’ rotation.
He’s already begun turning heads in Summer League and preseason play, showcasing a knack for protecting the rim and cleaning the glass. In his last five outings, Bona has averaged over 16 points, nearly 9 rebounds, and more than 2 blocks per game—numbers that reflect his impact on both ends of the floor.
Unlike Embiid’s more methodical, post-oriented approach, Bona operates with speed and aggression. He thrives in transition, finishes plays above the rim, and energizes the team with his defensive intensity.
While Joel Embiid and Adem Bona both play the center position, their basketball identities couldn’t be more different. Embiid is a refined, MVP-caliber force with a deep offensive arsenal, while Bona is a raw but electric presence whose impact begins with defense and hustle.
Joel Embiid, when healthy, dominates with footwork, soft touch, and elite scoring from both inside and midrange. His strength and size allow him to control tempo, draw double-teams, and anchor a half-court offense. Defensively, he’s a rim deterrent who alters shot selection just by being on the floor. However, his game depends heavily on rhythm and rest, making “load management” a key aspect of his season planning.
On the other hand, Adem Bona brings a completely different tempo. He’s fast, springy, and relentless—more vertical than methodical. His value lies in his ability to switch onto guards, recover quickly on pick-and-rolls, and provide second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds. Though he doesn’t yet possess Embiid’s shot-creation ability, his motor and physical tools are already NBA-ready.
Head coach Nick Nurse has praised Bona’s composure and work ethic, emphasizing that he’s “not trying to do too much—just what the team needs.” Nurse also pointed out that the young center brings a different rhythm to the floor and fits well alongside the team’s younger core.
Bona’s rise gives Nurse flexibility in his rotation while Embiid recovers, and there’s growing optimism that the Turkish international can play meaningful minutes even when the star big man returns.
While Embiid remains the centerpiece of the Sixers’ long-term plans, his injuries have forced the franchise to look ahead. Adem Bona, with his strong physical tools and quick development curve, could become a reliable piece of the puzzle.
If he can stay out of foul trouble and continue improving his offensive touch, Bona has a real chance to secure a stable role in the rotation—and perhaps more—as the season unfolds.
Joel Embiid’s absence is never easy to overcome, but this season offers a silver lining for Philadelphia: the emergence of Bona, a young, dynamic, and fearless center with something to prove.
As the Turkish international continues to grow into his NBA role, he may just help write the next chapter of the Sixers’ story—one block, one rebound, and one high-flying dunk at a time.
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