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  • NBA sports betting bust: What to know about Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and cash handoffs in Philly

    NBA sports betting bust: What to know about Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and cash handoffs in Philly

    A sports betting scandal involving Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has roiled the NBA and threatens to undermine the $13 billion sports betting industry.

    Billups and Rozier are among 34 people across 11 states charged in connection with two separate schemes — defrauding sports gamblers and a rigged poker game run in connection with New York City Mafia families.

    Among those said to be involved was Shane Hennen, 40, a professional gambler originally from the Pittsburgh suburbs who allegedly handed off cash to his coconspirators in Philadelphia.

    Former Cleveland Cavaliers player-turned-coach Damon Jones was also arrested for allegedly selling inside information on injuries and participating in the illegal poker scheme.

    “This is the insider trading scandal for the NBA,” FBI Director Kash Patel said during a news conference Thursday announcing the charges, which include wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracies to commit extortion and robbery.

    Officials accuse Rozier and others of altering their performance to get big payouts

    Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.

    In the sports betting case, Rozier and others are accused of leaving games early or altering their performance to make hundreds of thousands of dollars on prop bets, defrauding both sportsbooks and other legitimate gamblers.

    In one example, provided by New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Rozier, then with the Charlotte Hornets, allegedly told his coconspirators he was planning to exit a 2023 game early due to a supposed injury.

    “Using that information, members of the group placed more than $200,000 in wagers on his under statistics,” Tisch said. “Rozier exited the game after just nine minutes, and those bets paid out, generating tens of thousands of dollars in profit.”

    “The proceeds were later delivered to his home, where the group counted their cash,” Tisch added.

    Joseph Nocella Jr., the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, described it as “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalized in the U.S.”

    Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, told CNN in a statement his client “looks forward to winning this fight.”

    The accusations mirror the actions that led the NBA to ban former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter from the league for life after its investigation revealed he leaked “confidential information to sports bettors” to win under bets. Porter later pleaded guilty to charges that he faked injuries or illnesses to leave games early.

    The NBA had investigated Rozier and announced in January it “did not find a violation of NBA rules.” The league said Thursday it takes the new allegations “with the utmost seriousness.”

    Nocella said the indictment also details the actions of unnamed players on teams that include the Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Lakers. The indictment remained sealed online Thursday.

    Two of the unnamed coconspirators were from Pennsylvania, according to the indictment.

    Cash was handed off in Philly, officials said

    Philadelphia skyline as seen from Lancaster Avenue.

    Prosecutors allege Rozier colluded with Hennen, who figures prominently in the most recent indictment — and in an earlier gambling probe involving Temple University’s basketball team, which led to his arrest in January.

    Hennen, known as “Sugar” in gambling circles, used nonpublic information that he obtained through his NBA contacts to facilitate a series of fraudulent bets over the last three years, according to one of the complaints unsealed Thursday. In one instance, he allegedly used Philadelphia as a meeting point to dole out the ill-gotten proceeds to other bettors.

    On March 28, 2023, Mississippi-based sports handicapper Marves Fairley traveled to Philadelphia to meet Hennen to collect proceeds from wagers the duo had placed on one of Rozier’s games earlier that month, federal authorities contend.

    Rozier had, according to the complaint, planned to “exit prematurely” from the March 23 matchup between the Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Rozier played the first nine minutes of the game but then withdrew, citing a foot issue.

    Authorities say the scheme involved other men. De’Niro “Peyso” Laster, a former college linebacker, allegedly met with Fairley in Philadelphia on March 28 to collect tens of thousands of dollars in cash based on more fraudulent winnings linked to the same game.

    The suit alleges that Rozier paid for the costs of Laster’s travel to the city, and that Fairley and Laster then drove from Philadelphia to North Carolina to meet with the player at his home and count their winnings.

    On March 29, the day after prosecutors allege they met up in the city, Hennen posted a photo of himself and Fairley sitting courtside at a Sixers game.

    Hennen also appears to be linked to a point-shaving scheme involving former Temple University basketball player Hysier Miller, in what is likely a related investigation, according to reports by Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

    Earlier this year, the NCAA revealed it was investigating unusual bets placed around a March 7, 2024, game between Temple and Alabama-Birmingham. An ESPN report linked that game to Hennen, who was arrested by federal authorities in January while attempting to board a flight to Panama.

    Miller was released by the team in October 2024, with sources indicating that his departure was likely linked to the gambling investigation.

    Damon Jones appears to have sold inside info on LeBron James while a coach for the Lakers

    Damon Jones (left), seen here with LeBron James in July 2010. The two were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

    Jones, who served as an unofficial assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 season, is accused of tipping off the team’s decision to rest a “prominent NBA player” ahead of a matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 9, 2023.

    The unnamed player appears to be LeBron James, who sat out that game due to a sore left ankle. James had played with Jones on the Cleveland Cavaliers, but there is no indication the NBA superstar was aware of the illegal betting scheme.

    “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out!” Jones texted, according to the indictment.

    According to the indictment, Jones leaked inside information he had to coconspirators multiple times during the season, including before a January 2024 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

    Billups accused of teaming with mob figures for illegal poker game

    Chauncey Billups was used to make the illegal poker games seem fair, officials said.

    In a second case, Billups is charged with participating in a nationwide scheme involving New York City Mafia figures to rig illegal poker games.

    Officials said members of the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families rigged the poker contests in their favor, cheating players out of millions of dollars and resorting to violence when victims wouldn’t pay up.

    Tisch said Billups’ presence at the games was meant to lull victims into thinking it was a legitimate game, making them think “they were sitting at a fair table.” Officials said he was aware and in on the scam.

    Losses totaled more than $7 million, with one victim losing nearly $2 million, Tisch said.

    Hennen also figured prominently in the second case. According to the indictment, he provided the “cheating technology” for the illegal poker scheme in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.

    “Bringing four of the five families together in a single indictment is extraordinarily rare,” Tisch said. “It reflects how deep and how far this investigation reached and the skill and the persistence it took to get here.”

  • New Sixers and Flyers partnership with Bank of America will include community initiatives

    New Sixers and Flyers partnership with Bank of America will include community initiatives

    It’s the Bank of America Club Level now.

    The Flyers, Sixers, and Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday announced a new partnership with Bank of America, which will serve as the arena and teams’ banking partner this season. In addition to naming rights for the Club Level, the deal includes community efforts aimed at benefiting small businesses and youth sports.

    “It just is historic on many levels, in that we’re three iconic brands coming together,” said Comcast Spectator chairman and CEO Dan Hilferty. “We’re focused on being key players in Xfinity Mobile Arena, and Bank of America will partner with us on doing some really, really fun things in the community.” Comcast Spectacor owns both the arena and the Flyers.

    The deal, for which financial details were not disclosed, is “the most significant partnership” Bank of America has undertaken in its 20-plus years in the Philadelphia market, said Bank of America Greater Philadelphia president Jim Dever. Among its focuses is serving as a presenting partner in the Sixers’ small-business initiatives, such as the Spirit of Small Business Program and the Enrich Program, which benefit independent local businesses with aid and promotion.

    “This is an area that’s a prime focus to us, to be able to drive further economic mobility through small business and amplify their mission, and draw more patronage their way,” Dever said.

    The company will also head a youth-hockey-focused initiative in which it plans to donate up to $250,000 worth of hockey equipment to Philadelphia-area schools. Additional programs aimed at youth development and small business support will also be established, the organizations said in a statement, but details remain forthcoming.

    Tad Brown, CEO of the Sixers and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, said the partnership would allow the organizations to come together to “amplify all of our resources to benefit our fans and the region.”

    Despite its new banking partner, however, Xfinity Mobile Arena will likely remain cashless, and Dever said the organizations were not envisioning ATMs on the premises. Though, the partnership may create a small change for Hilferty.

    “I’m going to have to go elsewhere to get my cash,” he joked. “But that’s OK.”

  • VJ Edgecombe enjoyed every bit of his historic NBA debut. But he hopes it becomes a footnote to a long career.

    VJ Edgecombe enjoyed every bit of his historic NBA debut. But he hopes it becomes a footnote to a long career.

    BOSTON — VJ Edgecombe was unflappable 10 hours before making his NBA debut.

    There were no jitters, butterflies, or even a restless night before he faced the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night at TD Garden.

    “I slept great,” Edgecombe said Wednesday morning. “I ain’t going to lie. Yeah, I got more than eight hours of sleep. I ain’t antsy or nothing. I’m just looking at it as a regular game.

    “Obviously, the environment won’t be the same. But it’s still basketball, at the end of the day.”

    It turns out that the 76ers rookie’s quiet confidence was warranted.

    Sixers takeaways: VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey dominate, Joel Embiid struggles and more

    The 6-foot-4 combo guard poured in 34 points to help lead the Sixers (1-0) to a 117-116 season-opening victory over their archrivals. The performance placed him in the same rarified air as Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain and future Hall of Famer LeBron James.

    It was the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history behind Chamberlain’s 43 points on Oct. 24, 1959, and Frank Selvy’s 35 on Nov. 30, 1954. Edgecombe’s 14 first-quarter points set a record for the most in the opening period of an NBA debut, surpassing James’ 12 points on Oct. 29, 2003.

    “From a team standpoint, we got the win, which matters the most,” a smiling Edgecombe said of his performance. “Like I said, it’s going to come. It’s basketball at the end of the day, like I’ve been saying. Just trying not to overthink it.

    “I’ve been putting in the reps, been putting in the work. My teammates trust me. I trust my teammates. I was blessed to be in this position on this big stage. Blessed to perform.”

    Yeah, it’s great to have a high-scoring night that enabled the Sixers to start a season 1-0 for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign. But how does he process being mentioned in the same breath as Chamberlain and James, two of the greatest to play the game?

    “It’s amazing,” Edgecombe said, smiling again. “I must say, it’s amazing. But, I mean, hopefully I have a long career ahead of me. That’s what matters most. Longevity. Knowing ’Bron, who’s been here 20-plus years, I’m hoping I can do that one day. But just putting in work … it’s great having my name mentioned with LeBron’s name, but credit to ’Bron and credit to my teammates for passing me the ball.”

    VJ Edgecombe outpacing Sixers expectations — and bringing his lofty goals into view

    The 20-year-old began to put his imprint on the game midway through the first quarter, scoring 10 consecutive points.

    His first basket from the floor came on a cutting dunk with 6 minutes, 22 seconds left in the quarter. Then he drained a 25-foot three-pointer before scoring on a driving layup. He capped the run with another 25-foot three-pointer to knot the score at 20 with 4:09 remaining in the quarter.

    Then, after Jabari Walker’s putback layup, Edgecombe drained his third three-pointer to knot the score, 25-25, at the 1:14 mark. He scored 13 of the Sixers’ final 16 points in the opening quarter.

    “I was just having fun, to be honest,” Edgecombe said of the first-quarter stretch. “The ball was moving. I was getting good looks, capitalizing on them. That was the main thing, just capitalizing on the looks we had. And I was able to knock down some shots, get to the rim, finish, and my teammates were creating for me.

    “That’s why I got those wide-open catch-and-shoot [three-point] shots because my teammates were creating for me.”

    Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4).

    After Edgecombe’s stellar debut, several of his teammates recalled their first NBA games.

    “My debut, I played 10 minutes,” said Dominick Barlow of his debut, a 119-97 loss by his San Antonio Spurs to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 19, 2022. “I was tired as hell. I was like 1-for-3 [shooting]. I didn’t do nothing. He is just so composed, so calm. You don’t see that. That was special. I’ve been around two No. 1 picks [Victor Wembanyama in 2023 with the Spurs and Zaccharie Risacher in 2024 with the Atlanta Hawks], and to see how he carries himself and how good he was in clutch situations and how aggressive he was with All-Star-level guards playing against him [in Jaylen Brown], it’s special.”

    Notable numbers and reactions to VJ Edgecombe’s stellar NBA debut

    Tyrese Maxey, who scored a game-high 40 points on Wednesday, also rolled down memory lane.

    The All-Star in 2023-24 finished with six points in 10:51 off the bench in a 113-107 win over the Washington Wizards on Dec. 23, 2020.

    “I remember from my debut. I was confident,” Maxey said. “I remember the first thing I did was step out of bounds, and [coach] Doc [Rivers] said, ‘If you do that again, you are coming out.’

    “But this guy, I’m proud of him. He played well.”

    Maxey raved about Edgecombe’s composure and the shots he took without batting an eye. Not known as a three-point shooter, Edgecombe was left open on catch-and-shoot attempts by the Celtics (0-1). He responded by burying 5 of 13 three-pointers.

    “Seventy-seven definitely got scared at the free-throw line, though,” Maxey said jokingly of Edgecombe missing a pair of foul shots with 8.5 seconds remaining.

    The Sixers’ Vj Edgecombe helped the Sixers secure a 117-116 win to kick off their season.

    But Maxey’s good-natured ribbing ended there, as he switched back to explaining how proud he was of his backcourt mate.

    “He was comfortable,” Maxey said of Edgecombe hoisting up the double-digit three-point attempts. “… They tried to close out to him a couple of times, and he shot it. We know what he does when he gets downhill and what he does on defense. But that’s what I was most proud of, man. He shot those threes and shot them with confidence and made them, too.”

    Kelly Oubre Jr. wasn’t shocked by Edgecombe’s historic night. When he asked the rookie how he felt before the game, “He was like, ‘Chillin’ bro,’” Oubre said.

    “Right then, I’m like, ‘All right, you’re not nervous,’” Oubre said. “No jitters for a very even-keeled individual. And he puts the work in. So that was just a testament to the work he puts in.”

  • Charles Barkley and Shaq mock Joel Embiid, praise VJ Edgecombe in ESPN debut

    Charles Barkley and Shaq mock Joel Embiid, praise VJ Edgecombe in ESPN debut

    In their ESPN debut, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal didn’t waste any time mocking Sixers star Joel Embiid.

    “What’d your boy do tonight, Chuck?” Shaq asked.

    “Not a lot,” Barkley dryly responded.

    While the Sixers topped the Boston Celtics Wednesday night, Embiid struggled during his 20 minutes on the court, finishing with just four points and six rebounds.

    The stars of the night were Tyrese Maxey and first-round pick VJ Edgecombe, who scored 34 points, the third-best debut for a rookie in NBA history.

    Barkley used Edgecombe’s eye-opening debut to jokingly take a shot at his college coach, Baylor’s Scott Drew. In reality, the two are close, and Barkley played with Drew’s brother, Bryce Drew, with the Houston Rockets.

    “Scott Drew can’t coach. He’s been holding this kid back,” Barkley joked.

    Barkley and Shaq have been hard on Embiid over the years, including blasting him at the start of last season for not playing in back-to-back games. But Barkley’s expectations have shifted due to Embiid’s injury struggles, including two knee surgeries over the past 14 months.

    “I was asked a thousand times this summer about the Sixers. I said I can’t give a fair prediction,” Barkley said. “As much as I love Edgecombe and Maxey, if Embiid and Paul George can’t play, [the Sixers] are not a contender.”

    “He only gave your four points,” Shaq added.

    So yeah, while Barkley, Shaq, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith have jumped from TNT to ESPN, nothing changed about the chemistry of Inside the NBA, one of the most beloved sports shows in TV history.

    Who else would ESPN let compare new Wizards guard CJ McCollum to convicted felon and former New York U.S. Rep. George Santos, who was released from prison by President Donald Trump?

    “Man, I don’t know what CJ McCollum did to someone” to end up on the Wizards, Barkley said. “We freed George Santos, let’s free CJ McCollum.”

    The foursome, now in their 15th season working together, mocked their new home relentlessly, joking that Barkley will appear on every ESPN show, from Get Up to First Take to NFL Live.

    “One thing I’m not going to be is Stephen A. Smith — everywhere,” Barkley said.

    Much later in the evening — ESPN let Inside the NBA roll past 1 a.m. Philly time — Johnson quizzed Barkley on which networks a handful of NBA personalities worked for. Barkley got two right, but missed on TNT colleague Allie LaForce.

    And for those keeping score, Barkley picked the New York Knicks to win the Eastern Conference, a prediction that will likely change at least seven times before the end of the season.

    TNT had broadcast NBA games since 1989, but the NBA rejected the network’s offer in favor of new 11-year deals NBC and Amazon. Despite that, the show is still produced by TNT out of their Atlanta studio. It’s just the name on front of the desk that’s ultimately different.

    Barkley and company will be back on the network tonight for another doubleheader: Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m. Philly time, followed by Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m.

    “Ernie, that’s today!” Barkley said shortly after midnight.

    Once the NFL season is over, Amazon will stream NBA games on Prime Video Thursday nights. Until then, the evening is wide-open, allowing ESPN to swoop in to broadcast two national games tonight.

    After that, Inside the NBA will have a light schedule on ESPN until the end of the year, though they’ll appear more frequently during the second half of the season.

    Here’s when Inside the NBA will appear on ESPN though the end of December:

    • Thursday, Oct. 23: ESPN
    • Wednesday, Oct. 29: ESPN
    • Wednesday, Nov. 12: ESPN
    • Thursday Dec. 25: ESPN and ABC

    Mark Sanchez still recovering from stabbing as trial date set

    Mark Sanchez has called NFL games for Fox since 2021.

    Mark Sanchez won’t be returning to a broadcast booth anytime soon.

    The Fox Sports announcer and former Eagles quarterback is scheduled to go on trial next month to face accusations he attacked and injured a delivery driver in Indianapolis Oct. 4 ahead of calling an NFL game.

    Sanchez, 38, was also seriously injured in the assault, and his recovery could force a delay in the trial, which is scheduled to begin Dec. 11.

    Sanchez is accused of drunkenly assaulting a delivery driver in a fight stemming from an argument over a parking space. Police said the driver, Perry Tole, 69, pepper sprayed Sanchez, then pulled out a knife and stabbed him multiple times in self-defense.

    “We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space and-or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone receiving just incredibly significant injures,” Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears told reporters a few days after the incident.

    In a lawsuit filed against both Sanchez and Fox Sports, Tole claimed the fight left him with “severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function” and other injuries.

    Fox Sports has declined any further comment on the incident beyond a brief statement issued in the immediate aftermath of the fight: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”

    Quick hits

    Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe impressed the Celtics’ announcers.
    • Barkley and Shaq weren’t the only ones impressed by Edgecombe’s debut — announcers on NBC Sports Boston were amazed by his first-quarter jam:
    • Amazon announced the Eagles’ Black Friday matchup against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28 will stream for free on its Prime Video platform, welcome news for Birds fans that live around the world (unless you live in Canada, where it will remain behind the paywall). The game will air for free in the Philadelphia TV market on Fox 29.
    • Tom Brady is back to broadcast his third Eagles game of the season Sunday, when the Birds take on the New York Giants at 1 p.m. on Fox. It won’t be his last — Brady is slated to call the Eagles Week 12 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys and the Birds Week 17 trip to Buffalo to play the Bills.
    • Say goodbye to ESPN’s Monday Night Football doubleheaders. NFL owners approved the league’s deal to sell the NFL Network to Disney Wednesday. As a result, the four extra games slotted to ESPN will return to the NFL, according to Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer.
  • Joel Embiid talks about his first love — soccer — and more with Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett

    Joel Embiid talks about his first love — soccer — and more with Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett

    Joel Embiid says he did not start playing basketball until age 16. A young Embiid had dreams of being a footballer until the 7-footer grew too tall for that to be in the cards.

    Even though he can’t play anymore, he’s still a passionate fan of Real Madrid and, of course, the Cameroonian national team. With the World Cup set to come to Philadelphia in 2026, there might not be anyone more excited than Embiid.

    Soccer “is already huge, but having a World Cup here, it’s going to be even bigger,” Embiid said on the Switch the Play podcast with Roger Bennett of Men in Blazers. “I’m excited. I’m going to be all over the place. I’ve never been to a World Cup game before, so I’m going to go to a lot of them, especially to follow some of the best teams. Hopefully Cameroon makes it. Right now it doesn’t look likely.”

    Joel Embiid is embracing his new reality and a potentially new role for the Sixers

    Cameroon is in second place in its qualifying group and is tied for fourth in points for a group runner-up spot. The top four runners-up advance to a playoff that gives them a second chance to qualify for the World Cup. If Cameroon can’t make it, Embiid is also intrigued to follow England, but he expects that team to “choke again.”

    Embiid said he thinks his experience playing soccer growing up helped improve his footwork for basketball.

    “Hakeem [Olajuwon] was another one that started so late and made it into basketball, and he credits his football skills to be able to get better so fast. I think there’s a lot of similarities where — I’ve always been a type of guy to observe, and then you show me one thing, and I’m able to do it after one or two tries, and just pick stuff up so fast. If you’re not coordinated enough, or if you don’t have good footwork, that’s not going to be possible, and that goes back to football, using your feet and having soft feet.”

    His experiences growing up playing other sports before getting into basketball have him encouraging his young son to do the same. So Embiid won’t push him to specialize in any one sport — except for soccer, which he plays every Sunday. But Arthur is already enjoying following in his father’s footsteps.

    “He seems to be in love with basketball, but that’s where I struggle,” Embiid said. “I started at 16, and maybe I was lucky. It takes a lot of work to be able to make it to the NBA within three years of starting playing basketball, maybe a little bit of luck, but it took a lot of work. That’s where you’re like, if I started at 16, why should any kid start playing basketball at 6 years old? That’s where you’ve got to find that balance.”

  • Tyrese Maxey scores 40 points as Sixers rally to beat Boston Celtics, 117-116

    Tyrese Maxey scores 40 points as Sixers rally to beat Boston Celtics, 117-116

    BOSTON — Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points and VJ Edgecombe added 34 in his NBA debut to help the 76ers rally to beat the Boston Celtics 117-116 in their season-opener Wednesday night.

    Edgecombe scored the most points in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain had 43 on Oct. 24, 1959.

    The Sixers led by four with 22 seconds left, but it was down to one when Edgecombe missed a pair of foul shots with 9.1 seconds to play. Payton Pritchard missed two potential game-winning shots.

    Sixers takeaways: VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey dominate, Joel Embiid struggles and more

    Joel Embiid played for the first time since February, scoring four points on 1-of-9 shooting. The 2023 NBA MVP and a two-time league scoring champion had six rebounds in 20 minutes in his return being limited to 19 games during the 2024-25 season because of a sprained left foot, a sinus fracture, and arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

    Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe (left) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown during the second quarter of Wednesday’s game.

    Jaylen Brown returned from a hamstring injury in the preseason finale to score 25 points. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP is expected to carry a heavier load this year with fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum, who watched the game from the bench in street clothes, recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

    Derrick White scored 13 points of his 25 points in the third quarter, when the Celtics scored 16 straight points to turn a five-point deficit into an 11-point lead. The Celtics led 94-84 with nine minutes remaining before the Sixers scored eight straight points to make it close.

    Up next

    The Sixers will host the Charlotte Hornets for their home opener on Saturday (7:30 p.m., NBCSP). The Celtics will travel to New York to face the Knicks on Friday night.

  • ‘Inside the NBA’ made its ESPN debut. Here were some of the best moments.

    ‘Inside the NBA’ made its ESPN debut. Here were some of the best moments.

    Inside the NBA made its highly anticipated ESPN debut on Wednesday during the league’s second night of action.

    The hit show was originally televised on TNT before the network ended its NBA coverage following the 2024-25 season. But thanks to a licensing agreement between TNT Sports and ESPN, the show lives on.

    Throughout its years on TNT, the show created plenty of iconic moments, from Charles Barkley’s comments on women from San Antonio to Shaquille O’Neal falling into a Christmas tree — multiple times. Now, it’s still making headlines on ESPN.

    Here are some of the best moments from Wednesday’s show …

    Barkley kissing up to ESPN

    The original cast, featuring Ernie Johnson, O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Barkley, were excited to make their debut on ESPN. But Barkley may have been a little more excited than others.

    “I was nervous today, I’m not going to lie,” Barkley said. “Every person who has ever touched a ball wanted to be on ESPN. They are the greatest sports network ever and to be working for these guys is an honor and a privilege. It is.”

    Smith responded: “Do you want a napkin for all that kissing up you just did?”

    Barkley for ‘Sexiest Man Alive?’

    Of course, the show wasn’t all about teasing Barkley. In fact, O’Neal gave the 11-time NBA All-Star a few compliments during the show.

    “Chuck was fat last year,” O’Neal said. “Now look at him. He’s a sex symbol.”

    Barkley responded: “He got a point about the sex symbol. … Shout out to my doctors at Ro.co. I’m working out too, now. You’ve got to work out. You can’t just take a shot.”

    The race continues

    We got the very first race to the board between O’Neal and Smith on ESPN — if we can even call it a race.

    “We’re going to do it a little different,” Smith said. “You know how you do the fast walk? So you don’t hurt yourself. So, we’ll do a fast walk to the board.”

    During the halftime show of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks game, Johnson counted down and the two walked quickly to the board. Within seconds, Smith took the first win of the year.

    Barkley comparisons

    Barkley has created a number of unhinged moments — from comparing O’Neal to Shrek to discussing Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Now, he’s done it again. When discussing the playoff picture, Barkley said the Miami Heat were out of the eighth spot.

    Smith responded: “No, they play too hard.”

    “They play hard,” Barkley said. “That’s like when you go out with a girl and you say she has a great personality. That just means she’s ugly. The Heat play hard. The Heat are not going to be in the top eight.”

  • Sixers takeaways: VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey dominate, Joel Embiid struggles and more

    Sixers takeaways: VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey dominate, Joel Embiid struggles and more

    BOSTON — The 76ers’ backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe has the potential to be a special tandem for seasons to come.

    Joel Embiid still has a ways to go to get back to his dominant self.

    And, for the time being, the Sixers will rely heavily on two-way power forwards Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker.

    Full speed ahead? Young and fast guards give Sixers a chance to leave last season in the dust.

    Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 117-116 season-opening victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday at TD Garden.

    Dominant duo

    Maxey and Edgecombe were fun to watch.

    Maxey had 40 points on 13-for-25 shooting from the field and 7-for-9 from the three-point line to go with six assists. Edgecombe, the third pick in June’s draft, added 34 points on 13-for-26 shooting to go with six rebounds. He is the first Sixers rookie to have at least 30 points in his debut since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson did so on Nov. 1, 1996.

    It was also the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 43 points on Oct. 24, 1959, and Frank Selvy’s 35 points on Nov. 30, 1954.

    Sixers fans have to love the duo’s pace. The two guards put a lot of pressure on the Celtics. They also took over the game during stretches.

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey (left) scored 40 points against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

    Edgecombe scored 10 straight and 13 of the Sixers’ final 16 points in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Maxey took over where Edgecombe left off, scoring 19 second-quarter points on 7-for-10 shooting.

    The Sixers will have one of the league’s most explosive backcourts if the duo can keep this up. Their athleticism, speed, and ability to take over are unmatched on many teams.

    “I feel like we both [play] really well in the open court,” Edgecombe said. “Playing fast is something that we want to do. Ain’t [many who] can keep up. Joel was out there here and there. But when Joel is fully back, it’s going to be a different game. It’s going to be better if you ask me, because he requires so much attention.

    “You go one-on-one all night, that’s not night and day for whoever’s guarding him. And one on one for Tyrese, it’s night and day for whoever’s guarding him too.”

    VJ Edgecombe outpacing Sixers expectations — and bringing his lofty goals into view

    Rough start for Embiid

    In Friday’s preseason finale, Embiid flirted with a triple-double in a little over 18 minutes of action. However, that performance came against a Minnesota Timberwolves team composed mainly of NBA G-League talent.

    So his first actual test came in Wednesday’s contest against the Celtics.

    Embiid failed to have the same impact against Boston centers Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman. He finished with four points and six rebounds in 20 minutes. The performance paled in comparison to his night against Minnesota, when he scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out eight assists, and blocked three shots.

    Embiid missed his first four shots en route to shooting 1-for-9 on Wednesday.

    “I’m super happy that he was out there,” coach Nick Nurse said. “I think that he played good. I know that’s going to sound silly, 1-for-9. He just didn’t shoot it very good.

    “I thought he transferred the ball good. I thought he made some good decisions. I thought he took good shots. I thought he protected the rim. So, again, he hasn’t done much. He’s kind of played in a scrimmage and a preseason game. I think there’s some rust there, but I thought he moving good and made good decisions.”

    Sixers center Joel Embiid (center) is still working his way back into form after a long layoff because of knee injuries.

    While Nurse raved about Embiid, the 7-foot-2, 280-pounder didn’t show a lot of lateral movement on defense. He also rarely jumped to contest shots or go after rebounds.

    Embiid is resorting to using his massive frame to overpower opponents in the post. The 2023 MVP is also clogging everything up on offense. He has to either roll hard or launch three pointers from the top of the key. When he doesn’t, the offense stalls and the Sixers came away with bad possessions.

    They actually played better without Embiid in the fourth quarter. He sat out the final 9 minutes, 17 seconds due to a minute restriction.

    We’ll find out shortly whether this is the player he’s become or if he’s getting back into the groove after being sidelined since February.

    “I’m good,” Embiid said. “You know, it’s going to take a while, you know, obviously, being on a minutes restriction, playing shorter stints, it’s harder to kind of get into a rhythm. But I got to figure it out. That’s the way they got it set up.

    “It’s annoying, but if I want to play, I don’t really have a choice. But I want to be out there as much as possible.”

    Joel Embiid is embracing his new reality and a potentially new role for the Sixers

    Embiid said there’s a lot he can do until returning to his old form. He wants to use his “gravity” to get teammates open.

    “There’s still so much more I can contribute to other than scoring,” Embiid said. “So just using myself as a decoy to allow all these guys to do whatever they have to do to win.”

    The two-way impact

    With multiple seasons of NBA experience, Barlow and Walker weren’t your typical two-way players when they signed deals in July. At the time, the thought was that one of them — if not both — would garner a standard contract several months into the season.

    What we didn’t know was that the Sixers would have to rely heavily on the duo, with Paul George (left knee) and Trendon Watford (left hamstring) both sidelined.

    Sixers forward Dominick Barlow (left) had 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds on Wednesday.

    The big question was whether Barlow could duplicate the energy he displayed in the preseason. Based on Wednesday’s game, the answer appears to be yes.

    Barlow attacked the glass, ran the floor, and was a solid role player. He had three points, three rebounds, and an assist before being subbed out for Walker with 3:14 left in the first quarter. Walker also provided solid energy while setting picks and hustling for loose balls and rebounds.

    The Sixers are searching for a new identity, one without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey dominating the ball

    Barlow finished with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds while Walker had six points and four boards.

    They are both making the most of their opportunities and will make the Sixers a deeper team once George and Watford return.

    “This is my fourth year in the NBA,” Barlow said. “You can say I’m a two-way or whatever the case may be. But I know how to play basketball. I know what this team needs me to do. It’s just my job to play with energy and pick us up when we are down, or we are on those runs, get into actions and crash [the boards] and guard.”

  • 2025-26 Sixers season guide: Sixers outlook, schedule highlights, player to watch and hot takes

    2025-26 Sixers season guide: Sixers outlook, schedule highlights, player to watch and hot takes

    The NBA season is here, with the 76ers’ slate kicking off at 7:30 p.m. against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. As has become customary, there are more questions than answers about this team at the moment.

    Last season ended with a tank job that delivered prized rookie VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey got another year of experience under his belt. But Joel Embiid and Paul George spent much of their time in street clothes, and Quentin Grimes, who experienced a star turn after coming to Philly at the trade deadline, did not get a deal done with the team over the summer and will play on a qualifying offer.

    The Inquirer’s staff writers took all of that information in mind as they considered the Sixers’ season and tried to project what 2025-26 might look like for Nick Nurse’s team at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Tyrese Maxey is playing freely — and speaking up — in quest for Sixers turnaround and a steady ‘flow state’

    Gina Mizell

    Sixers season outlook: Can I insert the shrugging shoulders emoji here? Not because of apathy, but because I genuinely have no idea how this is all going to unfold. So much, of course, hinges on the health of Joel Embiid and Paul George. And just far better injury luck, in general. But even if this championship window essentially closed before it opened, the Sixers’ desired style of play and influx of young talent should make this season far more enjoyable. The guard rotation of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes and, eventually, Jared McCain is worth the watch alone.

    Schedule highlights: The Sixers play 16 of their first 26 scheduled games before Christmas at home, depending on how the In-Season Tournament shakes out. That means getting off to a strong start is crucial to this team’s quest for a turnaround. January is a particularly challenging month on paper, with three back-to-backs and matchups against the New York Knicks (twice), Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets. So is February, with eight of 11 games on the road, including their primary Western Conference swing.

    Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe has impressed the coaching staff and is set to start in his first NBA game.

    Player to watch: The obvious answer here is Edgecombe, the electric rookie who is on track to be an opening night starter. Or Embiid and George because, well, you know. But I’m fascinated to see how Maxey responds after a season he acknowledges was trying from a basketball and emotional standpoint. Coach Nick Nurse constantly reiterates that he believes the 24-year-old Maxey still has plenty of room to blossom. This season, he will be tasked with spearheading an offense aiming to play at a much faster pace — and with being a bridge between the aging stars and an intriguing crop of young players. (My deep-cut answers, for the record, are Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow, after the way they played during the preseason.)

    Hot take on the 2025-26 season: When the Sixers are the NBA team whose outlook is toughest to predict, is everything considered a hot take or is nothing considered a hot take? How about this: Edgecombe wins Rookie of the Year, even if overwhelming favorite Cooper Flagg remains healthy the whole season. Edgecombe may eventually move to a reserve role once Grimes is fully reacclimated and McCain returns from thumb and knee injuries, but that might be an ideal initial fit for Edgecombe. He can empty the tank during every stint by flying down the floor in transition, and being an absolute pest on defense.

    Keith Pompey

    Sixers season outlook: The 76ers might be the toughest team to give a prognosis for. A lot of that has to do with the uncertainty surrounding Joel Embiid. Due to left knee management, the Sixers are basically taking a game-to-game approach with his availability. Meanwhile, Paul George, who is also dealing with left knee issues, could miss some time at the start of the season. And there’s no telling how the forward will perform once he returns. So at least early on, a lot of the team’s success could fall, once again, on the shoulders of Tyrese Maxey.

    But the squad is going to need Maxey, Embiid and George all playing at a high level to become an Eastern Conference contender. If that doesn’t happen, this could be another long season.

    Schedule highlights: Dec. 28 at the Oklahoma City Thunder. Assuming the Sixers are healthy, the defending NBA champions will be an accurate barometer of the Sixers’ competitiveness. We will see how the big-man pairing of Joel Embiid and Adem Bona stacks up against Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. We will also see if the Sixers have an answer for reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and third-team All-NBA swingman Jalen Williams.

    Full speed ahead? Young and fast guards give Sixers a chance to leave last season in the dust.

    Player to watch: VJ Edgecombe. The third pick in June’s NBA draft has been better than expected throughout the preseason. Known as an athletic shooting guard at Baylor, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound has shown that he can handle point guard duties for the Sixers. He’s also been arguably their best perimeter defender. If he continues to develop, Edgecombe could blossom into one of the NBA’s best young players.

    Hot take on the 2025-26 season: Dominick Barlow becomes an all-time Sixers fan favorite. Fans are already raving over the power forward’s stellar play in the preseason. That in itself is one reason why the Sixers need to strongly consider converting his two-way contract into a standard NBA deal. Barlow has mastered how to make an impact without having plays called for him. His offensive rebounding, solid attention to detail, and athleticism makes him a solid fit to play alongside Maxey and Embiid.

    Gabriela Carroll, Inquirer staff writer

    Sixers season outlook: This season feels virtually impossible to predict, because the variance in outcomes is so wide. The Sixers could keep Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and VJ Edgecombe mostly healthy this year, and get just enough games from Joel Embiid and Paul George to stay playoff competitive. They could have the disastrous injury luck of the 2024-25 season, and end up back in the lottery. Who knows, maybe they get supremely lucky and almost everyone is available all year? That feels like a bridge too far even for the Sixers. But in what looks like it could be a down year for the Eastern Conference, making the Play-In and winning a game feels doable.

    Schedule highlights: Dec. 7 vs Lakers. Look, LeBron James baited everyone with his “Decision” that turned out to be a Hennessey commercial, but there’s no denying that at age 40, his career is nearing its end. No matter how good or bad the Sixers end up (and there are so many different ways this year could go), you’ve only got so many chances to see one of the all-time greats play in Philadelphia.

    Sixers guard Jared McCain will miss the start of the season with a thumb injury.

    Player to watch: Jared McCain. McCain immediately popped in his 23 games last year, working himself into the starting lineup and becoming one of the few bright spots of a disappointing start before he tore his meniscus and had to miss the rest of the year. Heading into camp, he tore the UCL in his thumb. If McCain can continue to improve and develop from where he finished his 24-25 season, that will be a huge boost for the Sixers’ chances, but it could take him some time to round into form.

    Hot take on the 2025-26 season: VJ Edgecombe will win Rookie of the Year. All eyes will be on Cooper Flagg, but Edgecombe should get a ton of minutes right away. The Sixers are already experimenting with Edgecombe as the primary ball-handler to open up more opportunities for Maxey, and he’s flashed his elite defensive skill in preseason.

  • How will the Sixers fare this season? Here’s what the national media are saying.

    How will the Sixers fare this season? Here’s what the national media are saying.

    The 76ers might be Philly’s most unpredictable team.

    Given their consistent injury struggles, the Sixers’ fate this year is nearly impossible to project. That didn’t stop the national media from making an attempt.

    Here’s what they’re saying about the Sixers ahead of the opener tonight against Boston …

    It’s complicated

    Are the Sixers built to win now or win later? ESPN says it’s complicated, ranking them 13th in its season-opening power rankings.

    Before last year, the Sixers thought they were in their championship window, and signed Paul George to a maximum contract to help get them to the next level. But after last season’s injury disaster, the Sixers now have a new, younger core of VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain to help them contend potentially for years to come.

    “Last season’s 24-58 record suggests this isn’t the right time for any all-in moves from GM Daryl Morey, which might explain why Philadelphia still has several future picks in its cupboard,” Zack Kram wrote. “But as long as [Joel] Embiid is on the roster and even theoretically at full strength, the 76ers have to at least consider trying to maximize his remaining competitive window.”

    The health of center Joel Embiid will once again be a key for the Sixers.

    Ranked 13th again

    In 2024-25, Embiid and George played in just 60 games combined. With compounding injuries to Maxey and McCain, that was enough to sink their season. This year, though, the Sixers are hoping they have enough talent to be consistent and competitive even without Embiid on the court.

    “The Sixers have enough offensive talent even if their stars don’t play (just ask Quentin Grimes) and Nick Nurse is going to sell out and get his team to approach 10 steals per game even if it costs the rest of Philadelphia’s defense,” Law Murray wrote for The Athletic, also ranking them 13th in the season-opening power rankings.

    Tyrese Maxey is playing freely — and speaking up — in quest for Sixers turnaround and a steady ‘flow state’

    “There is too much on the line for everyone involved in Philadelphia, with the possible exception of Tyrese Maxey, so don’t be shocked if the 76ers rebound to their usual results of getting to the playoffs and not doing much while they’re there.”

    ‘Why not them?’

    For all the warranted conversations about the Sixers’ struggles with injuries, they’re not the only team in the East that’s missing players to start the year. Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are both expected to miss most, if not all, of the year. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Josh Hart are all missing the Knicks’ opener, and Jaylen Brown may do the same for the Celtics.

    ESPN’s Brian Windhorst dared to suggest that the Sixers may be the healthiest contender on the board, and their potential could be underrated leaguewide because of their perennial injury struggles.

    “Is it possible that the contender with the healthiest roster to start the season could end up being Philly?” Windhorst said. “ … If you’re Philly, I know you have to live day-to-day, you can’t be thinking, you almost don’t have the burden of worrying about the playoffs because you don’t know who’s going to be standing by Thanksgiving. Why not them?”