The center rotation between Joel Embiid remains in flux.
And Kelly Oubre Jr. must regain his shooting rhythm. But in the meantime, his effort has been a huge asset.
Those things stood out in the 76ers’ 103-91 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night at the Kia Center.
George continues to shine
The Sixers (21-15) need someone to take over when Tyrese Maxey and Embiid are on the bench at the start of the fourth quarter. Based on Friday, George is determined to fulfill that role.
The nine-time All-Star scored eight of the Sixers’ 11 points to put them up 94-82 before Embid and Maxey checked in with 6 minutes, 48 seconds remaining. George made 4 of 7 shots, grabbed four rebounds, blocked two shots, and assisted on Andre Drummond’s layup during the stretch without the two standouts.
After he went to the bench briefly at the 6:18 mark, Maxey and Embiid continued where he left off. They combined to score seven points before George returned with 3:35 remaining. He added his 10th point of the quarter on a layup with 2:57 left.
“He was really good in the fourth,” Maxey told the media. “Really good! He played defense all game. Then in the fourth, he made shots.”
The 6-foot-9 small forward finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals to go with his two blocks. This is the second consecutive game that George dominated a quarter. He scored 13 of his 23 points in the second quarter of Wednesday’s home victory against the Washington Wizards.
The Sixers need him and rookie VJ Edgecombe to keep dominating quarters, especially when Maxey and Embiid are resting.
George didn’t shoot the ball well, missing all seven of his three-point attempts. But he played with poise and got to his spots for key buckets, especially in the fourth quarter.
Maxey finished with a game-high 29 points and three steals. Embiid added 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Edgecombe had just six points on 3-for-8 shooting. But the shooting guard finished with nine rebounds, a team-high seven assists, and two steals.
The Sixers will be tough to beat if their four best players continue to display this type of balance.
Center rotation
When healthy and available, Embiid will always get the start at center. And that’s understandable, considering he’s the 2023 MVP and a seven-time All-Star. Who backs him up, however, often depends on the matchup.
Adem Bona usually gets the nod when the Sixers are playing an athletic team that likes to play an uptempo style. Meanwhile, Drummond assumes the role whenever they need rebounding against a towering team.
So against Orlando (21-18), Drummond was the first player off the bench, subbing in for Embiid with 5:47 left in the opening quarter. This marked his second consecutive appearance after not playing in the previous two games.
Drummond quickly made an impact, grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring a putback at the 5:12 mark. He played well, finishing with seven points and six rebounds, and was a plus-8 in 16:37. Bona did not play.
Friday marked his second game back after missing 22 games with a sprained left knee ligament. The small forward failed to score while missing all five of his shots. But what Oubre lacked in shooting, he made up for in other areas. The 6-8, 203-pounder finished with six rebounds and one block.
He’s shooting 1-for-9, including missing all four of his three-point attempts, in his return.
But his energy and solid defense have made Oubre an asset off the bench in the last two games. And he should make an even larger impact once he regains his shooting rhythm.
Before the injury, Oubre averaged 16.8 points on 49.7% shooting — including 34.3% from three-point land.
The Sixers expect him to regain his shooting form over time.
Those things stood out in a 131-110 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Embiid stringing together games
This contest marked the fifth consecutive game that Embiid has played this season. There was one day’s rest between each game. Earlier this season, the 7-foot-2, 280-pound center didn’t play with less than two days of rest between games.
The limited amount of rest hasn’t appeared to impact Embiid’s performance, who has already missed 17 games due to right and left knee injuries and a sprained ankle.
He averaged 28.5 points, 8.5 rebounds. 5.3 assists, and one block in his previous four games. On Wednesday, Embiid tallied 28 points on 10-for-14 shooting along with seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 25 minutes, 24 seconds.
Embiid felt “pretty good” after playing a season-high 40:03 in Monday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets.
“I just got to keep it going,” he said. “I think tonight, I was OK tonight, so that was a good sign. But like I said, I got to keep going.
“We are still building myself back up. And you just have to be smart.”
He scored the game’s first basket on an 11-foot jumper 17 seconds into the contest. Then Embiid delivered a thunderous two-handed dunk to put the Sixers up 7-0, 1:20 later.
And Embiid displayed solid defense while blocking Justin Champagnie’s layup with 5:02 left in the quarter.
He ended the quarter with eight points on 3-for-4 shooting, along with three rebounds and one assist. Embiid was up to 16 points at the half.
“The nicest thing to see is he’s stringing some games here, one after another,” coach Nick Nurse said. “And the same is applying to the daily work, and all that kind of stuff, too. I just think that’s important for him to continue to keep playing.”
Sixers’ Joel Embiid (right) scored 16 of his 28 points in the first half.
The good thing for the Sixers (20-15) is that his availability means he’s feeling better. It also means the 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star is regaining his rhythm. And as Nurse pointed out, you see him continue to sharpen his skills.
“But yeah, it’s great to see him, obviously,” Nurse said. “The guys that we got playing around him now are playing extremely hard for the most part, and he’s obviously, I always say this, it’s our best version if he’s out there and he’s good. Hopefully, we can continue along with that. Hopefully, he’ll keep stringing some games up here.”
The Sixers were cautious with Embiid earlier in the season by giving him two days of rest between games and hard practices.
“I’m going to be honest, he’s moving way better than I’ve seen him when I first got here,” VJ Edgecombe said. “He’s definitely moving way better. He’s just being Joel, man. We are all seeing that. Like I said, he’s a 30-point scorer every night. He can get 30 points on any given night. So he’s super skilled.
“It’s just been good to see him moving better.”
Edgecombe did note that he’s “a little scared” every time Embiid falls on the court. But he said Embiid tells him why he does that.
So the rookie isn’t mad at the 31-year-old for purposely falling. And when he stays upright, Edgecombe is starting to see Embiid move faster than he expected.
“So I’m happy to see him healthy,” Edgecombe said. “Health is a big thing.”
The crew’s intact
This matchup marked the first time since December 2023 that the Sixers had all their key players available.
Oubre returned after missing the previous 22 games with a sprained left knee ligament against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Watford was available after being sidelined 17 games with a strained left thigh muscle against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 25.
“It’s good to have Kelly back,” Edgecombe said. “It’s good to have TY back. And you know we’ve been having a consistent [lineup] with the starters the past few games, which also helps. But overall, it’s been great, man. I’m just happy to see everyone on the floor.”
Oubre checked into the game at the 4:27 mark of the first quarter to a loud ovation. He immediately made an impact, impeding the Wizards (10-26) from getting an offensive rebound on a missed three-pointer. And in true Oubre fashion, the 6-8 small forward signaled that it was the Sixers’ possession before sprinting down the floor.
He grabbed his first rebound at 1:51 left in the quarter, while playing power forward in a small-ball lineup with Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, Jared McCain, and Adem Bona. Oubre grabbed his second rebound — also defensive — 17 seconds into the second quarter. This time, he dribbled the ball up the court before misfiring on a 28-foot three-pointer. Oubre went to the bench 1:48 into the quarter. He had two rebounds and missed both of his shots during his initial stint.
In his second stint, Oubre was on the floor with Maxey, Embiid, George, and Dominick Barlow for the final 1:56 of the half.
Oubre scored his only basket with 7:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. He finished with two points on 1-for-4 shooting to go with three rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 20:16.
“It was a stretch in the game where I was picking up anybody that was bringing the ball up, which is normally what I do,” Oubre said. “But I just wanted to test that, and make sure everything was good. I felt good. So I think I’m kind of back to myself. I’m a two-way player, of course. But in-game flow. You know how it flows.”
Watford didn’t come into the game until 4:45 remained. He had three assists in closing out the blowout victory.
Nurse hinted before the game that Watford probably would not play, or would play very little. That’s because he didn’t want to disrupt the team’s rhythm. The Sixers have been successful recently with Barlow and reserve Jabari Walker getting the bulk of the minutes at power forward.
Jabari Walker played four minutes for the Sixers on Wednesday.
But the coach is elated to finally have his full complement of key players at his disposal.
“It is great. It is great, it is,” Nurse said. “You know, getting them all there … is the first kind of accomplishment, or first step, I should say. And then, getting them all to a level of conditioning and rhythm and like their peak performance is going to be a ways away yet, but this is the first step in that. That’s when we can see all the things that we can really do eventually.”
With their full complement of players, we can finally get an idea of how competitive the Sixers are this season. Nurse can also figure out which lineups work best.
“It’s up to the coaches, now,” said Andre Drummond, who started his second stint with the Sixers last season. “We have a full roster. I mean, it’s exciting. It’s the first time I’m playing with a full roster since I’ve been here, at least. So I’m looking forward to what we do, and guys stay healthy, and really getting that rhythm now. It’s almost that time of the year [close to when] the All-Star break comes. And, you know, I’m ready for whatever.”
Paul George scored 23 points on Wednesday.
George’s showcase
George had an efficient game. The small forward finished with 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting — including making 4 of 8 three-pointers — along with 5 of 6 foul shots. He also had five assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Most of his damage occurred in the second quarter, when he scored 13 points on 4-for-5 shooting, making 3 of 4 three-pointers. He also had a block and a steal while logging 10:12 of the quarter.
Critics will point out that George’s domination came against the Eastern Conference’s next-to-last-place Wizards squad, who were missing five players due to injuries.
But he has been playing well all season. And he usually steps up when his number is called. So his second-quarter dominance is why the Sixers signed him to a four-year, $211.5 million contract last season. It’s also the type of domination that quiets the critics who say that the 35-year-old is washed up.
The selfless player is comfortable deferring to Embiid and Maxey so they can all shine.
“Obviously, Joel and Tyrese are our two engines,” George said. “Those guys are going to, rightfully so, demand attention, demand the ball in moments to score and put points up for us. I got to fit in, find my shots, my opportunities, and moments to be aggressive. That’s what I’m trying to do.
“But more than anything, defensively, I know I can still be elite. I can still make plays. I can still get us extra possessions, limit the [opposing team’s] best player, or just make things tough with the opposing player. And, then just, you know, try to be a calming voice, keep us level, keep us pretty much even keeled, but still apply pressure when we’re not playing defensively.”
In addition to playing quality defense, he sees his role as helping run the offense and stepping up when needed. And George came through in the second quarter, which is always a good sign for the Sixers.
“That’s Paul George, man,” Edgecombe said. “He’s elite. He’s an elite scorer, an elite defender. That’s something he’s always been known for. The things he does don’t show up on a stat sheet.
“But we all know that he can score the rock any given time.”
For the first time all season, the 76ers had all of their main players available heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Kelly Oubre Jr.and Trendon Watford were both cleared to play after being upgraded from questionable and probable earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid, who’s dealing left knee injury management and right ankle soreness, will play after being listed as questionable on Tuesday.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford were on hand at the #Sixers’ Wednesday morning shootaround. Jabari Walker talked about the possible of having a full squad for the first time this season Wednesday night vs. the Wizards at Xfinity Mobile Arena. pic.twitter.com/huFE5s0SfC
Oubre has been sidelined since he suffered a sprained left knee ligament against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Watford has not played since he suffered a strained left thigh muscle against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 25.
“Especially after coming back from the loss that we just had, I think it adds more energy,” Jabari Walker said of the possibility of finally having a full roster. “Now we are playing for something bigger. We are playing for everybody. You know, games like that naturally boost everyone’s energy.
“So I’m excited for tonight. We have literally everything we need. It’s a matter of us coming together and jelling as a group.”
Meanwhile, the Wizards (10-25) will be without the injured Kyshawn George (left hip), CJ McCollum (right quadriceps), Khris Middleton (right knee), and former Villanova standout Cam Whitmore (right shoulder).
Dwindling days
Walker and Dominick Barlow aren’t your traditional two-way players. These contracts are usually reserved for seldom-used players, but Barlow is the Sixers’ starting power forward and Walker serves as his dependable backup.
Their availability is beginning to dwindle, though.
Barlow, who missed 10 games this season with an injury, has 26 games left on his two-way deal. Walker has only 16 left.
But since the Sixers have a standard-contract roster spot available, their remaining available games are lower. The team has only 20 games remaining among Barlow, Walker, and MarJon Beauchamp, their third two-way player. Beauchamp has spent most of his time with the Delaware Blue Coats after signing with the Sixers on Dec. 26.
So, in theory, if Barlow and Walker played in 10 straight games, the Sixers would be without two-way contracts until they signed an extra player. One way to briefly fill the 15th standard roster spot is to sign someone to a 10-day contract.
#Sixers reserve power Jabari Walker talks about he and Dom Barlow being on two-way contracts, how they can impact the team and thoughts on the dwindling days left of his contract. pic.twitter.com/PJLgqT8Tm8
But the Sixers could convert Barlow or Walker’s contract to a standard deal. Then they could convert the remaining two-way power forward after trading or waiving one of their current teammates on a standard deal.
“Every now and then, it will pop up in my mind, but just putting my energy toward what I can control right now,” Walker said of the dwindling days. “And just whatever happens, just knowing that I left an impact on my teammates and left an impact in the game, I think that’s the biggest truth.”
Walker has averaged 4.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 13.0 minutes in 32 games. Meanwhile, Barlow has averaged career highs of 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 24.0 minutes through 24 games, with a career-high 21 starts.
Sixers forward Dominick Barlow averaged career highs of 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 24.0 minutes through 24 games, with a career-high 21 starts.
Right now, the two aren’t letting the two-way contracts define them, given the unique situation.
Walker spent the last three seasons on a standard contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. Barlow’s previous two-way deals with the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks were converted to standard deals.
“We’re both big pieces, and we have similar styles sometimes with our energy,” Walker said. “So we just talk about how we can be effective with the team, how we can both bring more energy.”
Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford were upgraded to questionable for the 76ers’ contest against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Joel Embiid also is listed as questionable with left knee injury management and right ankle soreness.
Oubre has been sidelined since spraining a left knee ligament against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Meanwhile, Watford has been out since suffering a strained left thigh muscle vs. the Orlando Magic on Nov. 25.
Watford was one of the Sixers’ top free-agent additions. The 6-foot-9 point forward provides frontcourt depth while assuming some ballhandling duties.
The Alabama native is averaging 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 14 games with four starts. He tallied his first career triple-double by finishing with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists on Nov. 8 against the Toronto Raptors.
The Sixers (19-15) expect Oubre to provide a lift when he returns.
Before his injury, the 6-8 small forward averaged 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 12 games. In addition to excelling when the ball was moving, Oubre did a solid job of guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.
Embiid is averaging 23.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 17 games this season.
The Wizards (9-25) will be without Kyshawn George (left hip flexor strain), Corey Kispert (left hamstring injury management), and former Villanova standout Cam Whitmore (deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder).
Washington won four of its last five games before losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, while the Sixers had a three-game winning streak snapped on Monday. The Wizards host the Magic on Tuesday night.
Sixers forward Trendon Watford is averaging 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 14 games with four starts.
Tyrese Maxey dropped one spot in the second round of NBA All-Star fan voting returns released Tuesday. The 76ers point guard now ranks third among Eastern Conference players and fifth overall.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid remains 17th among players in the East.
Maxey had been fourth overall and second in the conference when the first returns dropped on Dec. 29. However, he was supplanted by New York Knicks point guard and former Villanova standout Jalen Brunson.
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Dončić is the league’s top vote-getter with 2,229,811 votes, and Milwaukee Bucks forward and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is second overall. He leads the East with 2,092,284 votes. Brunson has 1,916,497 votes, followed by Maxey at 1,908,978.
Fans account for 50% of the vote to determine the 10 starters for the All-Star Game, which will be played Feb. 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. A media panel and NBA players each account for 25% of the vote. This season, All-Stars are being selected regardless of position.
Voting will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 14. NBC and Peacock will reveal the All-Star starters on Jan. 19. Coaches will select All-Star reserves at a later date.
Under a new format, two teams of U.S. players and one team of international players (the World team) will compete in a round-robin tournament featuring four 12-minute games.
Tyrese Maxey has the third-most Eastern Conference NBA All-Star votes in the second fan returns released today. The 76ers point guard was second in the first returns. pic.twitter.com/3TUUWxyz40
It’s not surprising that Maxey has a solid chance to be voted an All-Star starter.
An All-Star reserve in 2023, he entered Tuesday third in the league in scoring (31.0 points per game), fourth in steals (1.8), and 12th in assists (7.0). He’s also fourth in made three-pointers (120). And the sixth-year veteran has scored at least 30 points in 17 of his 32 games.
Maxey’s season highlight was a career-high 54 points, to go with nine assists, five rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in a 123-114 overtime victory over the Bucks. He joined Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (March 18, 1968) as the only two players in franchise history to produce at least 50 points and nine assists in a game.
Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (1,752,801) and Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell (1,530,237) round out the East’s top five vote-getters.
The West’s top five vote-getters are Dončić, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (1,998,560), Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (1,844,903), Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1,554,468), and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1,321,985).
Those are the items that stood out in Monday’s 125-124 overtime loss to the depleted Nuggets at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
‘Didn’t have the right mindset’
The Sixers (19-15) had no business losing this game.
I’m stating this fully aware that this was this was their first home game following a five-game road trip capped by three impressive victories against the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks.
And I realize teams are usually sluggish during their first night back at home.
But this game should not have been close, based on the substandard roster the Nuggets (24-12) put on the floor.
Denver was without three-time MVP and seven-time All-NBA selection Nikola Jokić (hyperextended left knee) and standouts Jamal Murray (sprained left ankle) and Aaron Gordon (strained right hamstring) due to injuries. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain), who is Jokić’s backup, was also sidelined. And that’s not all. Tamar Bates (left foot surgery), Christian Braun (sprained left ankle), Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness management), and Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise) also missed the game.
The Sixers suffered their worst loss of the season after Tyrese Maxey missed a floater with 0.2 seconds left in overtime.
“It was OK,” Nurse said. “It kind of turned the corner, and kind of wove up off balanced and probably wasn’t as clean a look as he wanted to get. But it was just OK.”
When asked about the shot, Maxey said, “I tripped over my foot, and I tried to shoot it, and I was falling.”
The All-NBA caliber point guard also lost the ball before missing a three-pointer on the final possession in regulation.
An inability to contain former Penn State standout Jalen Pickett (29 points on 7-for-11 three-point shooting), Peyton Watson (24 points on 7-for-13 shooting), Bruce Brown (19 points on 7-for-13 shooting), and Zeke Nnaji (21 points on 7-for-11 shooting — including 4 of 5 three-pointers) contributed to the loss.
With those four players leading the way, the Nuggets shot 53.1% from the field and 48.6% on three-pointers.
“We allowed them to really feel good early, and it just continued the entire game,” Nurse said. “You just look at the numbers, 48.6% from three. We [turned them over more] a little bit [forcing 19 turnovers to 14] and out-rebounded them a little bit [14 to 7]. Got more shots [98 to 81] than they did.
“So just the shooting percentage numbers are just the story of the game. And we didn’t guard them and keep the ball in front of us long enough.”
But it shouldn’t have come to this. This was supposed to be a game that kept the Sixers within a game of the fourth-place Toronto Raptors, who are now 1½ games ahead of them.
Quentin Grimes says the Sixers took the Nuggets lightly.
“We didn’t have the right mindset,” he said. “This is the NBA. Everybody can play at a high level. We didn’t really match their intensity. ”
Joel Embiid talks with injured Nuggets center Nikola Jokić after the Sixers lost to the Nuggets in overtime on Monday.
Ball movement
Nurse wanted to build upon the solid ball movement the Sixers displayed during the final three games of their road trip.
“All you are trying to do is continue to do that, extend those periods even longer,” he said before the game. “Just continue to get the rhythm and the passing and the spacing and reading what’s out there as best you can.”
And the Sixers did.
One stood out occurred in the first quarter. After driving the lane, Grimes passed the ball back to Jared McCain behind the three-point line. McCain then passed it to Maxey, who buried a wide-open three-pointer to give the Sixers a 26-24 advantage.
The Sixers had 13 assists on their first 19 made baskets. They finished with 28 assists.
Edgecombe had nine assists to go with 17 points (all in the second half), eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Meanwhile, Maxey had six assists along with 28 points, six rebounds, four steals, and two blocks.
McCain (four), Paul George (three), Adem Bona (two), Grimes (two), and Joel Embiid (two) also recorded assists. In addition, Embiid finished with game-highs of 32 points and 10 rebounds.
Late-game woes
As exciting as the Sixers have been, they still have a tough time closing out games.
They had a nine-point lead with 10 minutes, 48 seconds remaining in regulation.
But the Nuggets responded with a 15-2 run to take a four-point advantage. Then in overtime, the Sixers shot just 2-for-10 and had two costly turnovers.
This happens too often. The Sixers have just been good enough to overcome those miscues. But it doomed them Monday night.
Edgecombe was one of the few guys that Adelman got to watch casually last season while the Sixer was playing at Baylor.
“I got him a few times, and he immediately stood out,” Adelman said. “Just the athleticism, the speed, the competitiveness. And it’s all translated. I watched him against Memphis the other night. Again, it’s more fun to watch this stuff when it’s not film, when you’re not studying them, you’re just watching the game. Just so impressive.”
Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe (right) had 17 points and nine assists against the Nuggets on Monday.
On Monday, Edgecombe didn’t have the best shooting night, making 6 of 17 shots overall. However, he made 5 of 11 three-pointers and was clutch down the stretch.
“Like I said, I think the athleticism, the skill set, all that stuff’s impressive,” Adelman said. “But it’s just more the competitive spirit of that kid. He just plays so hard. And you are looking for that in people nowadays. There’s a lot of people that are talented and get paid to play basketball. There’s guys you can tell love to play. He does.
“So he’s a problem. It was a great draft pick by Daryl [Morey] on this draft.”
Tyrese Maxey was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference player of the week on Monday.
The 76ers point guard averaged 34.7 points on 61.2% shooting along with 8.7 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks in three games last week — all road victories — against the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks.
“He’s having an amazing year, and he just kind of keeps coming up with some really big moments or really big games,” coach Nick Nurse said. “And the biggest thing for me is, as I continue to watch here, he’s getting better and better defensively. And that’s really great. That’s really great to see. It really is.”
Maxey started the week Tuesday with 34 points and a game-high 12 assists in a 139-136 overtime victory over the Grizzlies at FedExForum. The Garland, Texas, native followed that with game highs of 34 points and 10 assists in a 123-108 triumph over the Mavs at American Airlines Center on New Year’s Day. That marked the first time in his career he had recorded at least 30 points and 10 assists in consecutive games.
The sixth-year veteran concluded the week with 36 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks Saturday in a 130-119 victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
He made 14 of 26 three-pointers throughout the week, making at least four in each contest.
This is the second time in Maxey’s career that he has been named player of the week. The first time was on Oct. 30 after the first week of the season.
Starting with Monday’s contest against the Denver Nuggets, the Sixers will play 11 of 14 games at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“That’s awesome,” Adem Bona said Monday after shootaround. “Ending the road trip with three [wins] in a row, that’s good for the team, good for the spirit. And to come back with a three-game winning streak is good for the fans.
“We’re really excited to be back home, also be back in our comfort space to put the motor a little bit more.”
On paper, the Sixers (19-14) have a great chance to match their season-best, four-game winning streak.
The Nuggets (23-12) have lost two straight and four of their last five games heading into Monday night’s matchup.
Three-time MVP and seven-time All-NBA selection Nikola Jokić is expected to miss four to six weeks after hyperextending his left knee against the Miami Heat on Dec. 29. The Nuggets center is averaging a triple-double: 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists.
Standout guard Jamal Murray (sprained left ankle), power forward Aaron Gordon (strained right hamstring), and backup center Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain) are among Denver’s seven other sidelined players. The others are: Tamar Bates (left foot surgery), Christian Braun (sprained left ankle), Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness management), and Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise).
After facing the banged-up Nuggets, the Sixers will entertain the Washington Wizards on Wednesday before a three-game road trip against the Orlando Magic (Friday) and Toronto Raptors (Sunday and Jan. 12). Then they’ll play six games at home. After a road game against the Charlotte Hornets, they’ll close out the month with a three-game homestand.
On Saturday, Joel Embiid had 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting along with 10 rebounds and five assists against the Knicks in his first game at Madison Square Garden since Game 5 of the 2024 first-round playoff series.
The center recorded his first dunk of the season late in the game, which garnered a lot of attention. And Bona was still raving over it on Monday.
“That was hyped,” he said. “I know you saw the whole bench. We were all hyped. It was just a wide-open dunk, but we took it as it was a dunk. First dunk of the season. We were hyped.”
Joel Embiid is averaging 28.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over his last seven games.
But the Sixers have more than a dunk to be excited about when it comes to Embiid. The 2023 MVP has found his offensive rhythm, averaging 28.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over his last seven games.
Embiid has missed 17 games this season because of right and left knee injuries and a sprained ankle. However, he’s set to play in his fourth consecutive game on Monday, which will provide another opportunity to add to his recent stellar play.
“It’s great for the team,” Bona said of Embiid finding success. “It’s great for the environment, you know. Getting back to the Joel we know, it’s really awesome. His health is getting better, and his morale is high. We’re playing good together. It’s just good all around.”
But the Sixers’ best chance to win comes from the effort and aggressiveness of their less-heralded players. If they move the quickest to a loose ball, if they fight the hardest for rebounds, if they work the hardest on defense, maybe it’ll be enough.
And it’s up to Maxey and Embiid to keep others involved on offense by willingly making necessary passes.
That’s what is happening during the Sixers’ three-game winning streak.
They had five double-figure scorers in Saturday’s 130-119 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
But the Sixers started the winning streak off with six double-digit scorers in Tuesday’s 139-136 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. And the Sixers followed that with five double-figure scorers in their New Year’s Day 123-108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
Embiid had 34 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks against the Grizzlies, while Maxey had 34 points and 12 assists. The standout point guard came back with 34 points, 10 assists, two steals, and two blocks against the Mavs, while Embiid added 22 points and six assists.
And on Saturday, Maxey had 36 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and a steal, while Embiid finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists to knock off the Knicks (23-12) for the second time this season.
Sixers center Joel Embiid has to keep VJ Edgecombe involved moving forward.
Following Thursday’s game, Embiid noted that he was getting back to the dominant player he had been before being derailed by left knee injuries over the past two seasons. Before the injuries, the 2023 league MVP and seven-time All-Star felt like he could score 40 or 50 points every night.
“I can be more aggressive, but I feel like I’m also smarter,” Embiid said.
The 7-foot-2 center is starting to do what the team needs instead of looking for his own shot. Concentrating on scoring in previous games this season led to the ball becoming stagnant. As a result, his teammates, primarily VJ Edgecombe, became less impactful.
Sometimes, the rookie guard rarely touched the ball while Embiid hoisted up shots. But against Memphis, Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick in this summer’s draft, scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and sank the game-winning three-pointer with 1.7 seconds left in overtime.
He followed that with 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting to go with a game-high four steals against the Mavs. And on Saturday, Edgecombe jump-started the Sixers’ rout by scoring 18 of his 26 points in the first half.
The shooting guard has shown off his shooting progress over the past three games, in which he’s made 14 of 25 three-pointers. Previously, Edgecombe was vastly underutilized offensively when Embiid.
The Sixers also have benefited from staggering Maxey and Embiid, allowing both to be aggressive. The tactic also allows for the offense to run through each player during specific stretches. They’ve also been successful utilizing a twin towers lineup featuring Embiid and Adem Bona at times. In that lineup, Embiid slides to power forward.
In this pairing, the Sixers incorporate drives to the basket that end with dump-offs to Bona. They also have high-percentage scoring plays, in which Embiid receives the ball at the elbow and dishes it to Bona underneath the basket. Another option is for Embiid to drive the lane and fire to wide-open three-point shooters in the corner.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) is defended by Sixers post players Joel Embiid (21) and forward Adem Bona (30) on Tuesday.
Bona’s presence helps provide rebounding and rim protection. Meanwhile, Embiid gets to display his shooting and passing skills.
And for them to continue to win, his passing skills must be on full display. Maxey, who’s the league’s third-leading scorer at 31.0 points per game, can shoulder the load.
Edgecombe, Paul George, and Quentin Grimes can also help in that category. While he’s going to get his points, Embiid’s focus should be on assisting teammates to get easier shots and making sure there’s constant ball movement.
The 76ers are bona fide NBA Eastern Conference contenders.
VJ Edgecombe has Daryl Morey looking like a genius for drafting him over Ace Bailey. And Tyrese Maxey’s impact on the defensive end doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Those things stood out in Saturday’s 130-119 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Legitimate contenders
For most of the season, the Sixers (19-14) have been an enigma.
Bombarded with injuries and illness, they have yet to play with a full roster. And their Big Three of Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George were winless in their first four games together. But the belief was that once they got into rhythm, they would become a legitimate contender.
The Sixers are riding a three-game winning streak with Maxey, Embiid, and George playing in all those games. Saturday’s victory also marked the second time in as many meetings that they’ve defeated the second-place Knicks (23-12) this season.
Their first victory was a 116-107 decision at MSG on Dec. 19. The Sixers have won two of their meetings against the third-place Boston Celtics. And the team is only expected to get better once small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (sprained left knee ligament) and reserve power forward Trendon Watford (strained adductor muscle in his left thigh) return.
While they remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, the Sixers are three games behind the Knicks with 49 games remaining.
Maxey finished with a game-high 36 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and one steal. The All-NBA caliber point guard scored 20 of his points after halftime.
And the Sixers had a balanced attack for the third consecutive game. Embiid (26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists), Edgecombe (26 points, four assists, two blocks, two steals), George (15 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks), and Quentin Grimes (10 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks) were the other double-digit scorers.
The Sixers blocked 10 shots, and out-rebounded the Knicks, 47-44, with 17 of 36 three-pointers made. If Embiid and George can remain healthy, the Sixers will be a problem for the East’s contending teams.
“I think that only thing that’s missing in these first stretch of games is just some consistency and having the same guys out on the floor,” coach Nick Nurse said. “I think you can see some things growing. There was probably about 40 plus minutes making the absolute right decision on offense. …
“Having the same guys out there has been an issue this year, as well. Hopefully, we can smooth that out a little bit and build and get a few wrinkles in, counters, and you get to add defensive schemes all that kind of stuff if you keep the same guys out there.”
Sixers forward Paul George looks to get past Knicks center Mitchell Robinson in the team’s win against New York on Saturday.
The perfect selection
After the Sixers were awarded the third pick in June’s NBA draft, Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, was determined to add a young standout who could add roster flexibility and co-star with Maxey to take pressure off Embiid and George, who are overcoming injuries.
Edgecombe and Bailey were the main options.
Once the Sixers were awarded the third pick in June’s NBA draft, there was a significant debate regarding whom the team should draft.
Some believed the Sixers had to select Bailey out of Rutgers. The small forward eventually could replace George, who was coming off one of his worst NBA seasons. Additionally, the thought was that Bailey, who had the most significant upside, could be a star down the road.
Meanwhile, Edgecombe was a highlight waiting to happen at Baylor.
The 6-foot-5, 193-pounder was known for his scoring ability — especially in transition and at the rim. The Bahamian also possessed solid playmaking skills and defensive instincts. But the belief was that an inability to dribble or make three-pointers would make selecting him a gamble.
But Morey, the Sixers president of basketball operations, still selected him despite the concerns. Outside of drafting Maxey, that might have been the best decision during his Sixers tenure.
Edgecombe torched the Knicks, scoring his 26 points on 10-for-16 shooting – including making 4 of 9 three-pointers. The 20-year-old scored 18 of his points in the first half while making 7 of 10 shots, highlighted by going 4-for-6 on three-pointers.
This performance comes after Edgecombe made a combined 8-for-16 three-pointers in the last two games. In one of those contests, the 20-year-old scored 13 of his 25 points in the third quarter and scored the game-winning three-pointer to give the Sixers a 139-136 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.
And who can forget the 34 points he scored against the Boston Celtics in the season-opening victory?
It was the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 43 points on Oct. 24, 1959, and Frank Selvy’s 35 on Nov. 30, 1954.
All these accomplishments are reasons that Edgecombe’s selection has Morey and the Sixers looking like geniuses.
“He’s been awesome,” Nurse said of Edgecombe. “I think just, again, the composure. I think that he has it just so steady out there. He plays like a 10-year vet with his composure. He just kind of keeps making plays. He does a little bit of everything, which is great.”
Maxey scored at least 30 points for the 17th time this season. The sixth-year veteran is third in the league in scoring at 31.1 points per game. He’s also 11th in assists at 7.1 per game. But the league MVP candidate is also excelling on defense.
Maxey is fourth in the league in steals at 1.8 per game. He also blocked 28 shots this season, which is five off his high for a season.
His ability to track down players, get swats, and knack for getting in passing lanes have been a significant bonus for the Sixers this season.
One can argue that he’s been one of the league’s most well-rounded players this season. For that, he’s deserving of being voted an All-Star starter and garnering All-NBA honors.
“He’s been much better this year,” Nurse said of Maxey’s defense. “I think the whole way. I think you’d agree that he’s into the ball, he’s over screens, getting his share of pick-sixes, getting his share of turnovers. So he’s been really alerted on that end of the floor, I think all season. He just keeps getting better.”
“Taking what the defense gives me,” Embiid said after finishing with 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting along with six assists, four rebounds, and a block. “But physically, where I felt most [like myself] is defensively. I’m getting back to that level of [protecting the rim], blocking shots and being that defensive presence.”
The 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star is averaging 29.2 points on 47.9% shooting, along with 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 33.0 minutes over his last six games. This comes after Embiid averaged 18.2 points on 40.7% shooting to go with 5.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 25.0 minutes in his first nine games.
“If you want to talk about feeling like myself, two years ago, when I felt like I reached that peak level of every time I stepped on the court, I felt like I could score 40 or 50 every single night,” Embiid said. “I can be more aggressive, but I feel like I’m also smarter.”
As a result, he notes that he also is doing more of what’s needed for the Sixers (18-14) to succeed instead of making sure he puts up big individual numbers.
But a significant sign of feeling like his usual self occurred when Embiid attempted to pass the ball to himself off the backboard in Tuesday’s 139-136 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid missed this attempt. But it was a move he completed on April 20, 2024, in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks. It was a move he might have been too hesitant to try earlier this season and during the 2024-25 campaign. He said it was instinctual on Tuesday.
“The last time I tried it, I got hurt,” said Embiid, who had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists against the Grizzlies. “Maybe that’s a sign that I’m feeling good. At first I was going to lay it up. … I think it’s a good sign. … To get that first one, I got to make it look exciting.
The 10-year veteran has missed 17 games this season, primarily because of swelling, soreness, and injury management of both knees.
Embiid played in just 19 games last season before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on April 11. It was his second left knee surgery in 14 months and third in nine years. He had surgery on Feb. 6, 2024, after suffering a torn meniscus in his knee eight days earlier in a game against the Golden State Warriors. That surgery limited his regular season to 39 games.
Before that injury, Embiid was a front-runner to win a second straight MVP award and third consecutive scoring title.
Before this setback, Embiid was having a historic 2023-24 regular season. He was leading the league (and setting a career high) in scoring at 35.3 points per game, to go along with 11.3 rebounds, a career-best 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks.
