Saturday’s series opener between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks started out just about the way any Philly fan likely expected it would.
The Sixers were dominant when big man Joel Embiid was on the floor, and getting run off the court when he was sitting on the bench.
But late in the second quarter, Embiid put 76ers fans through the emotional ringer when he pulled off a stunning alley-oop to himself, only to instantly follow it by hitting the floor, having appeared to injure his knee.
Embiid left the court and would head to the locker room, and not re-enter the game before halftime.
Fans following the action online all shared a similar reaction. For an instant, the Sixers were so back. But just moments later, it was all over once again.
Thankfully, it appears as though the Sixers have avoided the worst possible outcome, as Embiid was able to take the floor again to start the second half.
The constant shuffle between it being so over and we being so back carries on, endlessly, through space, time, and basketball.