"Generational all-ambulance team duo" - NBA fans react as Paul George and Joel Embiid ruled out of Philadelphia 76ers season opener

Philadelphia 76ers stars Paul George and Joel Embiid are set to miss the team's 2024-25 season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Embiid is expected to ramp up his return this week and participate in scrimmages. Meanwhile, George is still recovering from a left knee injury, with his return status to be evaluated later in the week.

"Both Joel Embiid and Paul George will be OUT for Wednesday’s opener versus Milwaukee, the Sixers say," Ramona said on X (formerly Twitter). Embiid is responding well to his individualized plan and is expected to ramp up his return to play activities this week, including scrimmaging. He will not play in games this week and will be re-evaluated this weekend.

"George is recovering well and is expected to ramp up on-court activities early this week. He is out Wednesday vs. Milwaukee and his return to play will be assessed later in the week," she added.

Fans dropped candid reactions to the news of two injury-prone players missing the season opener. Many took to social media to humorously troll George, Embiid and the Sixers.

"I see that the Sixers duo is already in their Playoff form for season opener," a fan said.

"Sixers signed Paul George just to become the east version of the Clippers," said another.

"I’m sorry did someone forget to tell Embiid when the season actually starts? Why on earth is this acceptable? Adam Silver has to crackdown on this garbage," commented another fan.

"PG and Embiid are starting off to be a generational all-ambulance team duo," wrote another user.

"Embiid ramping up from being out of shape? Godspeed," another X user said.

"This is just ridiculous!! Play in team!!" a fan wrote.

Joel Embiid missed the entire preseason

The Philadelphia 76ers played five preseason games ahead of the regular season, but superstar Joel Embiid missed all of them. The former NBA MVP was part of the USA men's national team that won gold at the Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, Paul George, who joined the Sixers during the offseason, appeared in two preseason games before suffering an injury in the second. The former Clippers standout averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals during the preseason.

The Sixers have three games scheduled this week, and based on the latest updates on Embiid and George, it seems likely both will miss the opening stretch of the season.