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  • Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey rises again, Joel Embiid has to get better, and more from win over Warriors

    Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey rises again, Joel Embiid has to get better, and more from win over Warriors

    Tyrese Maxey showed, once again, that he’s super talented.

    As good as Maxey is playing, Joel Embiid has to get better to lead the 76ers if they expect to win an NBA championship.

    The Sixers need to do a better job of holding leads. But they’re fortunate to have VJ Edgecombe.

    V.J. Edgecombe’s game-winning shot, Tyrese Maxey’s game-saving block helps Sixers beat Warriors, 99-98

    On Thursday, they beat a Golden State Warriors team with a huge Sixers presence.

    Those things stood out in their 99-98 victory at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Maxey’s super talented

    Displaying elite speed and quickness, Maxey is the type of player league executives drool over in today’s NBA.

    He puts pressure on the defense and gets in the paint whenever he wants. And on Thursday, the 6-foot-2 point guard blocked De’Anthony Melton’s layup attempt at the buzzer to enable the Sixers (12-9) to escape with a one-point victory.

    “He had a clean layup, man,” Edgecombe said of Melton. “[Tyrese] probably ran a 4.2 [second 40-yard dash] or something, and ran him down. So credit Tyrese, and he blocked it, by the way, he blocked it.

    “So he’s probably the best shot-blocking guard under 6-4.”

    Said Maxey: “I just ran back and wanted to make a play and help us win that game. VJ scored it, so I just tried to get back and make a play on the ball.”

    That came after Edgecombe grabbed the offensive rebound and scored on a putback with 0.9 seconds left after Melton blocked Maxey’s shot.

    Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 35 points.

    Though his shot was blocked, Maxey will be great at making contested shots in the postseason if the Sixers get there.

    That’s when opposing teams will have the Sixers thoroughly scouted and know precisely what they’re going to run. But when you desperately need someone to produce in late shot-clock situations, Maxey is capable of stepping up.

    Against the Warriors (11-12), Maxey finished with a game-high 35 points while making 4 of 10 three-pointers. He also finished with three rebounds, two assists, and the block in 39 minutes, 40 seconds.

    He ranks second in the league with nine games of at least 35 points, trailing the Lakers’ Luka Dončić, who has 10 such games.

    Maxey is also third in the league in scoring (32.6 points per game), trailing the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.8) and Dončić (35.3).

    Sixers’ Kelly Oubre is ‘trying to stay above water’ while sidelined with a ligament sprain in his left knee

    “Fun to watch,” Embiid said of Maxey. “I was just telling him, and I told him the last couple of years when I was on that scoring run, ‘When you get in that moment, it just feels like the game slows down. It just becomes easy.’

    “That’s what it is right now every single time he steps on the floor. … He’s in such a good rhythm making shots, getting to his spots, not rushing. I think that’s the biggest key.”

    Embiid must improve

    If Embiid doesn’t get better, this whole thing is going down.

    That’s not a knock on Maxey or Paul George. Maxey has established himself as an All-NBA caliber player and hasn’t yet reached his ceiling. But right now, he’s not the most essential piece to an NBA championship puzzle. It has to be Embiid’s team. If it’s not, they’re in trouble.

    Embiid finished with 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting — including missing all six of his three-pointers. He also had six rebounds, three assists, three turnovers, and one block in 25:13 minutes. He looked fatigued during a poor performance.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid finished with 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting against Golden State.

    The Sixers kept saying Embiid would get healthier. But it became apparent at the start of the season that the Sixers would be a team incapable of making a deep postseason run without him rolling to the basket. Yet, we’re in December, and the 7-2, 280-pounder is still positioned outside the three-point line.

    Could that be a sign that his knees aren’t getting better?

    If his knees don’t improve, it’s hard to imagine the Sixers advancing beyond the first round of the postseason.

    A blown lead

    The Sixers had a 24-point lead with 8:06 left in the third quarter. At that time, it appeared that coach Nick Nurse would rest his starters in the fourth quarter ahead of Friday’s road game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

    But the Warriors chipped away at the Sixers’ lead before taking a 93-92 advantage on Gui Santos’ basket with 2:39 to play. With the Sixers down 98-97 with 40.9 seconds left, Adem Bona missed a pair of foul shots.

    Joel Embiid’s new Skechers, the brand’s first signature basketball shoe, have dropped: ‘It means a lot’

    They were fortunate to have Edgecombe step up down the stretch, followed by Maxey blocking Melton’s shot.

    Edgecombe finished with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a game-high three steals. In addition to scoring the game-winning basket, the third pick in June’s draft tallied two of his steals in the fourth quarter.

    Edgecombe’s final steal came on Pat Spencer’s pass with 8.2 seconds left to set up the Sixers’ final possession.

    “He just does a lot of things that, like, we know he can score, we know he can pass, but he does things that don’t show up in a box score all the time,” Maxey said. “He goes out there and plays hard. He’ll get the extra rebound. He’ll tip the ball to somebody, or he’ll get the deflection.

    “We appreciate him because he does those things. And we know who he is as a person and as a basketball player. So he’s going to keep doing that and keep working on those things, and we appreciate him.”

    Former Sixer Buddy Hield (left) and VJ Edgecombe meet after the game. Both players were born in the Bahamas.

    Sixers West

    Melton, who scored 14 points Thursday in his season debut, is one of five Warriors who have played for the Sixers during their career.

    Melton played in Philly from 2022-24. He initially signed with Golden State on July 8, 2024, following his tenure with the Sixers. The shooting guard suffered a season-ending partially torn ACL in his left knee on Nov. 12, 2024. After having surgery on Dec. 4, 2024, Melton was traded to the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 15. But he re-signed with the Warriors on Oct. 1.

    Jimmy Butler (2018-19), Al Horford (2019-20), Seth Curry (2020-21 and until the trade deadline of 2021-22), and Buddy Hield (after the trade deadline of 2023-24) also played for the Sixers.

    Melton appeared in six games — two starts — with the Warriors last season, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in 20.2 minutes before suffering his injury against the Dallas Mavericks.

    “I’m just happy to see him out there, dude,” Maxey said of his close friend. “He was at my house two or three hours yesterday, just chopping it up, talking about life. I’m happy to see him out there. He’s smiling.

    “I told him I’ll give him one jump shot, because he was struggling early. I gave him one middy in the third. But I’m just happy he was out there. It was good to see him. I told him he can’t guard me. So it’s all good.”

    Butler had the best Sixers stint among the group. He averaged 18.2 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in 55 games in Philly. The 2018-19 team, which featured Butler, Tobias Harris, Embiid, JJ Redick, and Ben Simmons in the starting lineup, was the best Sixers team since the start of The Process.

    Butler, a six-time All-Star, missed Thursday’s game with left knee soreness after exiting Tuesday’s game against the Thunder.

  • Can Paul George help lead the Sixers (or another team?) on a playoff run? Plus, Tyrese Maxey keeps racking up milestones.

    Can Paul George help lead the Sixers (or another team?) on a playoff run? Plus, Tyrese Maxey keeps racking up milestones.

    Paul George continues to show why Nick Nurse raves over his defense.

    Jared McCain continues to round into shape.

    Tyrese Maxey trails only Hall of Famers Allen Iverson and Wilt Chamberlain when it comes to the highest point total through 20 games in franchise history.

    And the Washington Wizards are tough to watch.

    Tyrese Maxey’s big third quarter fuels Sixers’ 121-102 win vs. the Wizards

    Those things stood out in the Sixers’ 121-102 victory over the Wizards on Tuesday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    George’s defense

    The Sixers (11-9) may face a tough decision if George continues to excel on defense. Once believed to be untradeable, the 6-foot-8 forward could be a nice addition for a contender looking for a solid defender. Or he could continue to help Maxey.

    While he’s not the player he was a few seasons ago, George can still hold his own, depending on the matchup.

    He had a tough time defending the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo a few weeks ago and may also struggle against some of the league’s quicker perimeter players. But aside from that, he hasn’t had a problem.

    Sixers’ Paul George scored 11 points against the Wizards on Tuesday.

    The nine-time All-Star had one steal to go with 11 points and five rebounds in just 17 minutes, 43 seconds against the Wizards. The 35-year-old was highly active on defense and continued to show his physicality. That enabled him to blanket the players he guarded. He also crashed the defensive boards.

    His most significant impact through his first six games has come on defense, where he’s averaging 1.8 steals. He tallied a season-high five steals in Sunday’s 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

    His shooting has been inconsistent. George has gotten off to solid starts in a couple of games but has been unable to sustain them. And he has struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 35.3% on three-pointers.

    But he was in rhythm against the Wizards, making 3 of 5 three-pointers.

    “It’s getting there,” he said of his shot. “I’ve just got to get my legs under me, get a little bit stronger. I just feel like my legs aren’t as strong as they need to be. Just kind of get them under me a little bit. Kind of feeling training camp legs a little bit.”

    Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George finally shared the floor. And the Sixers have a lot of work to do.

    The biggest question about George is his durability. Prospective teams will have to ask themselves whether they are willing to trade for a player with George’s recent injury history.

    McCain getting back to his old self

    McCain has been playing with a solid pace in recent games. His pace and shot-making ability have shown why he was last season’s rookie of the year front-runner before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

    The combination guard averaged 16.7 points while shooting 47.4% on three-pointers during a three-game stretch against the Heat, Orlando Magic, and Brooklyn Nets. Then, after struggling Sunday vs. the Hawks, McCain bounced back against the Wizards.

    The 21-year-old finished with 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting — including two made three-pointers — along with five assists in 25:11.

    The Sixers’ Jared McCain (center) finished Tuesday’s game with 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting.

    McCain scored seven of his points in the first quarter. A a solid distributor, he’s been a nice asset for the Sixers. He paces the game and fits well with George and Maxey. His weakness has been his defense, and opponents try to find matchups with him.

    But McCain hasn’t shown any adverse effects from his surgically repaired left knee.

    “I feel like I’m back to myself,” he said. “I think continuing those reps, the same stuff. But this game definitely felt good to get people off the dribble.

    “I remember in the beginning when I first came back [Nov. 4 vs. the Chicago Bulls], I was like, ‘Dang, am I ever going to get this burst back at all?’ But just trusting the process, and now I’m here.”

    Maxey’s latest milestone

    After scoring a game-high 35 points, Maxey now has 649 points through 20 games. That ranks third behind Iverson (681 in 2005-06) and Chamberlain (661 in 1965-66).

    “Obviously, that’s awesome, considering the names you mentioned and the other names that have been here, like the history, the storied history of this program,” coach Nick Nurse said. “It’s amazing to get in those kinds of conversations. I think that whenever I start thinking, ‘Jeez, is he going to be able to continue to do that?’ He just goes out and makes six or seven possessions like, ‘I’m going to do whatever I want here.’”

    Maxey has been torching opponents on drives to the basket, on floaters, and behind the three-point line.

    “And he’s just moving himself all over the court and getting himself clearance to shoot,” Nurse said. “And then I keep saying, ‘He should shoot more.’”

    Maxey’s 35 points came on 13-for-26 shooting in just 28:49. He also finished with six assists, four rebounds, and four steals while being a plus-23.

    He scored 20 of his points in the third quarter on 7-for-13 shooting, including the Sixers’ final 14 points in the quarter before sitting out the fourth.

    “Yeah, that stretch alone, he put the game away,” George said of the Sixers taking a 101-77 lead into the fourth. “He just had his imprint over it. From steal, getting out, creating offense for himself, creating offense for us, big shots. And you can see that he was just in a rhythm and a flow, and he took over.”

    Maxey wanted to be aggressive during that stretch.

    “Give us a comfortable lead where we could be professional and finish that game out,” he said.

    Maxey entered Wednesday third in the league in scoring at 32.5 points per game. Tuesday’s was his 11th game with at least 30 points.

    The 6-2 guard entered Wednesday tied for second in the NBA in made three-pointers (75) and seventh in assists at 7.5 per game.

    Tyrese Maxey drives to the basket against the Wizards.

    Wizards great at tanking

    It’s hard to believe the Sixers needed overtime to defeat the Wizards, 139-134, on Oct. 28 at the Capital One Arena.

    On Tuesday, Washington (3-17) shot 39.8% from the field, including 9-for-36 from three-point range, and committed 15 turnovers, which led to 28 Sixers points.

    Wizards fans will point to Alex Sarr (right thigh strain), Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture), Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain), Khris Middleton (right knee injury management), and Sharife Cooper (right calf strain) missing Tuesday’s game.

    The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    But the Sixers were without Joel Embiid (right knee injury recovery), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee sprain), Trendon Watford (left thigh strain), and Quentin Grimes (right calf soreness).

    Andre Drummond (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Jabari Walker (10 points, 12 rebounds) finished with double-doubles in a game that was all but over in the third quarter.

    Up 24 entering the fourth, the Sixers could rest George and Maxey for the entire quarter. Dominick Barlow logged only 1:39 during that period.

  • Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George finally shared the floor. And the Sixers have a lot of work to do.

    Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George finally shared the floor. And the Sixers have a lot of work to do.

    While the game didn’t provide a definitive answer to how competitive the 76ers will be, it did present some encouraging and not-so-encouraging signs.

    Sunday’s 142-134 setback to the Atlanta Hawks at Xfinity Mobile Arena marked the first time Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey have been on the floor together this season.

    Sunday also marked just the 19th game that Embiid, George, and Maxey played together since George signed his four-year, $211.5 million deal on July 6, 2024. This was only the 16th game that all three finished. In those 16 games, the Sixers are 7-9.

    “It was just great to get out there with those guys,” George said of the Big Three. “We just logged minutes together. I thought it was just a ton of excitement. But we obviously got work to do.”

    On paper, Maxey, Embiid, and George are a solid mix.

    Maxey is a budding superstar. Embiid is the former MVP and arguably one of the NBA’s all-time best scoring big men. George is a nine-time All-Star forward and three-level scorer. And despite coming off July’s left knee surgery, the 35-year-old still appears to be an elite defender. However, the problem is their usage.

    Maxey is good enough that if the right co-stars surround him, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder could excel like the Cleveland Cavaliers’ perennial All-Star, Donovan Mitchell.

    The Sixers’ point guard is playing at an All-NBA level. If you put the ball in his hands, he’ll make plays for you offensively.

    And on Sunday, the Embiid, George, and Maxey lineup looked improved compared to their limited games together last season. But it was far from Eastern Conference championship worthy.

    The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    There were times against the Hawks when the lineup looked clunky. Embiid still spends most of his time on the perimeter. The 7-foot-2, 280-pounder’s outside presence often gets in his teammates’ driving lanes to the basket.

    But when things did run smoothly, Maxey and Embiid did a solid job of orchestrating the pick-and-roll and keeping George involved. George, however, failed to knock down wide-open three-point shots on passes from the duo.

    There was one moment in the fourth quarter when Maxey dished the ball to Embiid in the pick-and-roll. The seven-time All-Star, in turn, passed to a wide-open George in the corner. But he missed the 24-footer.

    Then, a couple of possessions later, Maxey dished to George, who again was left wide-open in the corner for a three. He missed, again.

    But in his defense, George isn’t known as a catch-and-shoot three-point shooter.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

    There were also times when the offense flowed perfectly with the trio on the floor together. And if we learned something in the overtime sessions, it’s that the Sixers need George, Embiid, and Maxey on the floor together more.

    The Sixers often replaced George and Embiid with undersized, nonshooting post players, which resulted in Maxey drawing extra attention. And he was also blitzed on screens, making it harder to free Maxey with screens or switches.

    But due to a minutes restriction, George’s night was over after the opening minute, 22 seconds of the first overtime. Meanwhile, Embiid was unable to play in the second overtime due to his minutes restriction. Sunday marked Embiid’s first game since Nov. 8 and seventh this season due to knee injuries. This was just George’s fifth game because of left knee injury recovery and a sprained right ankle.

    Sixers takeaways: Joel Embiid’s motivated play, Tyrese Maxey’s missed free throws and more in loss to Hawks

    Without Embiid’s presence and George’s playmaking and stellar defense, the Sixers went Maxey or bust in the second overtime.

    He tried to do his part, scoring all eight of his team’s points in the five-minute session. However, the Sixers’ small-ball lineup struggled on the boards. Atlanta outrebounded them, 7-2, in the second overtime, which enabled it to score seven second-chance points.

    “It was tough not having [Embiid] out there in the second overtime,” coach Nick Nurse said. “He got us some open space to play in, with him just being on the floor. He created a lot of offense for us.”

    Sixers forward Paul George was limited to 28 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

    Maxey finished with game highs of 44 points and nine assists to go with seven rebounds, six turnovers, and one block in 52:18. He scored 24 of his points over the fourth quarter and overtime sessions.

    The Sixers walked away believing a victory would’ve been in the cards had Embiid, George, and VJ Edgecombe, who also sat out the extra sessions due to a minutes restriction, all played at the end. And they’re probably right under those circumstances on that particular night.

    The Hawks were without perennial All-Star guard Trae Young and standout center Kristaps Porziņģis.

    Right now, the Sixers are having a tough time beating quality opponents.

    But …

    Sixers mailbag: Does it make sense to try to trade Paul George before the trade deadline?

    “I never get real satisfaction out of not winning,” said Nurse, whose Sixers (10-9) have lost nine of 15 games after starting 4-0. “Right now, though, we’ve gotten so thin over the last 10, 12 days. It’s just nice to have a few guys filtering back in. That’s like hopefully we can come out of this, obviously, we try to recover and rejuvenate [Monday], and hopefully, we can get most of the guys back on the floor Tuesday, again.

    “And hopefully, the minute restrictions will start going up a little bit again. That’s something to look forward to again.”

    The Sixers entertain the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The Wizards improved to 3-16 after Monday’s 129-126 home victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. They were riding a 14-game losing streak before defeating the Hawks on Nov. 25.

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey and center Joel Embiid shown during the loss to the Hawks on Sunday.

    Embiid will miss Tuesday’s matchup due to what’s labeled a right knee injury recovery.

    But once he returns, the Sixers must face reality.

    Right now, they have a high-scoring speedster in Maxey and a big man who barely plays in Embiid. And when the 31-year-old does play, he doesn’t really move, especially defensively, following April’s arthroscopic left knee surgery. It was his second left knee surgery in 14 months and third in nine years.

    Even though he’s averaging 32.3 points, the Sixers can’t count on Maxey to score 44 points every night. And at times this season — including Sunday — it appeared Embiid wasn’t trying on defense or just wasn’t able to get to a spot.

    Offensively, the Sixers can give the ball to him, and he’ll score. He is averaging 19.4 points in just 24.3 minutes in seven games.

    The problem is they’re not going to beat quality opponents with Embiid being limited. But the Sixers have to endure the process of acclimating Embiid and George, and there will likely be some collateral damage.

    After all, the Sixers have been most successful in an up-tempo offense centered around ball movement. Yet Embiid is better suited to a two-man game with Maxey and isolation plays.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid holds the basketball out with teammate guard Tyrese Maxey past Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels on Sunday, November 30, 2025 in Philadelphia.

    “It’s different because he’s still really good,” Maxey said. “We still got to get him the ball. We also got to run our stuff. It’s going to come with time. … I think that may be VJ’s first time playing with Joel and Paul. A lot of guys’ first time playing with them.

    “So we haven’t really practiced with that group. It’s kind of hard, but that’s no excuse. I think we did a good enough job to win the game. We played well. We got to finish those out.”

    Joel Embiid begins another season restart: ‘You can’t put your head down and whine about it’

    But they’re elated to show some improvement.

    “I thought offensively, it kind of felt like we did have a better little rhythm out there, kind of finding, picking, choosing different lineups to incorporate, whether it’s pick-and-rolls, positioning on the floor,” George said. “And then defensively, I thought there were a lot of positives there. But again, all of it is now we’ve got to get to work and try to be consistent together.”

    While that was encouraging, the Sixers still have a long way to go.

  • Sixers mailbag: Does it make sense to try to trade Paul George before the trade deadline?

    Sixers mailbag: Does it make sense to try to trade Paul George before the trade deadline?

    The 76ers will look to beat the Washington Wizards for the second time in as many meetings when the squads play Tuesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    The Sixers took a 139-134 overtime victory over the Wizards on Oct. 28 at Capital One Arena.

    Washington takes a 2-16 record into Monday’s home game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Wizards were riding a 14-game losing streak before defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 132-113, on Tuesday. They followed that rare win with a 119-86 road loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

    The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    The Sixers dropped to 10-9 after Sunday’s 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Hawks. Since defeating the Wizards, the Sixers have lost nine of their last 15 games.

    So the Wizards are a good opponent to help break out of their funk. Well, find out more on Tuesday.

    In the meantime, I’ll answer a few of your mailbag questions.

    Missed out on the party? No worries. Submit questions for next time by tweeting @PompeyOnSixers to X with the hashtag #PompeysMailbagFlow.

    Sixers VJ Edgecombe greets Jared McCain during a break in the Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.

    Q: Jared McCain is looking so much better in the last few games! Is he still wearing the heavy knee brace under the white sleeve, or has he graduated to a smaller brace or no brace? — @Bob_Zampini

    A: Thanks for starting the mailbag! McCain has looked good in the last few games. The second-year guard averaged 16.7 points while shooting 47.4% on three-pointers in the three games before Sunday’s contest against the Hawks.

    McCain stopped wearing the heavy knee brace he had worn upon his return last month, after tearing the lateral meniscus in his left knee on Dec. 13. But he started wearing what he called “just a smaller little thing on my [left] leg” during his two-game assignment with Delaware Blue Coats on Nov. 13 and 15.

    Q: Would it make sense for the Sixers to try to trade Paul George before the trade deadline? It may impact the Sixers’ playoff chances this year, but it would free up valuable salary cap space and possibly get a first-round pick in return. Is that a realistic option? — @Topsheff88

    A: It depends on his level of play and how competitive the Sixers are heading into the trade deadline. At this time, the Sixers’ brass and coaching staff should be all in on making a deep postseason run, knowing that anything else could cost them their jobs. And in George’s first three games back, he’s been a solid complementary player to Tyrese Maxey.

    The nine-time All-Star opened his first four games as an aggressive scoring option. Afterward, George did a good job running the Sixers’ offense in the half-court and provided solid defense.

    Sixers forward Paul George shoots the basketball against the Miami Heat on Sunday, November 23, 2025 in Philadelphia.

    But I get it. He underachieved last season and has been hampered by injuries after signing his four-year, $212 million contract on July 6, 2024. And the 35-year-old isn’t getting any younger. Trading him would allow them to shed the final two seasons of his deal.

    The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    George would have to play at a high level for a team looking to add a key piece for a playoff run to shed a first-rounder, among other things, in return. And if he’s playing at a high level and meshing well with Maxey, the Sixers must ask themselves, are they still willing to trade him?

    Q: What do you think the starting five will be (and should be) when Kelly Oubre Jr. and VJ Edgecombe are back? Obviously, the center position will depend on Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond’s health — @GermanChoco1ate

    A: I keep going back and forth with Oubre and Dominick Barlow being the fifth starter. Both have played great, and deserve to be in the lineup. However, I’m going with Oubre, George, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Maxey. Barlow would be the seventh man behind Quentin Grimes.

    Oubre has been the Sixers’ X Factor this season.

    Before he suffered an LCL sprain in his left knee, Oubre’s averages of 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals took a back seat to the play of the Sixers’ stellar backcourt pairing of Maxey and Edgecombe in the first 12 games.

    But Oubre excels when the ball is moving, and he did a solid job of guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

    Sixers Kelly Oubre Jr dunks the ball to give the Sixers a 123-116 lead in the fourth quarter of the Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers NBA game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

    The Sixers have definitely missed his impact in the last seven games. For them to be competitive, Oubre must get healthy and resume playing at a high level. His importance to the team, especially as a perimeter defender, is the reason why he needs to start.

    Q: Is there any way to trade Embiid once he is reasonably healthy? — @dumasroxx

    A: There’s always one of two teams willing to take a gamble. But the 31-year-old is making $55.2 million this season, and his three-year, $193 million extension begins next season.

    That’s a tremendous amount of money for a team to take on for a player with an extensive injury history. I noted before that a team president of basketball operations would have to be really secure in their job to make that trade. And that hasn’t changed.

    Now, if Embiid can play at 80% of his former self, his addition to most teams makes them instant championship contenders. But if he gets injured and is unable to play, that could go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history.

  • The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    The Sixers’ season has 2024-25 vibes with Joel Embiid and Paul George missing substantial time

    After the 76ers battled back from a 19-point second-half deficit to beat the Washington Wizards in the fourth game of the season, Tyrese Maxey was asked what the overtime win says about him and his teammates.

    “It says that we are tough,” Maxey said. “But we don’t want it to become a habit. But it does say that we are tough. We’re resilient, and it says we are in shape, honestly, because to be able to play like that, come back, and do it multiple times, like go into overtime off a back-to-back and still pull out a win.”

    At the time, the Sixers’ 139-134 overtime road victory on Oct. 28 came one day after they defeated the Orlando Magic, 136-124, at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Their other two games resulted in comeback victories over the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets. The Sixers were 4-0 for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

    Sixers takeaways: A much-needed easy opponent, another untimely injury, and more from victory over Nets

    With grit, athleticism, and a refuse-to-lose mentality, the Sixers showed no resemblance to last season’s 2024-25 squad. Joel Embiid’s knee issues were believed to be manageable, and Paul George’s season debut was imminent.

    So we thought.

    Now, we must ask ourselves: Was the Sixers’ impressive start just a mirage?

    Since winning its first four games, the squad has lost eight of 14 contests. The Sixers (10-8) are eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.

    They avoided losing a third consecutive game by defeating the struggling Brooklyn Nets, 115-103, at the Barclays Center on Friday. Now, they’ll look to win consecutive games for the first time since the season-opening winning streak when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

    Like last season, injuries, primarily to Embiid and George, have been the biggest thing holding them back. Having the two maximum-salary players sidelined forces role players to perform well above their pay grade.

    “Well, listen, I think that, a little bit like I said a year ago, I think that we need them to be the best version of ourselves,” coach Nick Nurse said before the Sixers snapped their two-game skid on Friday. “That’s for sure. The concern levels hit me, obviously, when they’re not playing. But now, when we’re missing three or four other guys out of the rotation, [it gets harder]. I think we’re probably thinking about a nine-man rotation, and that’s when it’s getting a little tough.”

    Nurse has a point. Two other starters, Kelly Oubre Jr. (sprained left knee) and VJ Edgecombe (left calf strain), and reserve forward Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) have been sidelined. Center Andre Drummond, who started the past nine games in place of Embiid, suffered a game-ending sprained right knee on Friday. Edgecombe and Drummond are questionable to return against the Hawks (12-8).

    Sixers forward Paul George dribbles the basketball past Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo on last Sunday.

    But the Sixers have more than $300 million owed to Embiid and George over the next three seasons, beginning next season. That’s a massive investment in two players, who, like last season, have been unable to stay on the court.

    George played in just his fourth game on Friday, finishing with 14 points and two steals in 21 minutes, 21 seconds after missing Tuesday’s 144-103 setback to the Magic with a sprained right ankle.

    The nine-time All-Star missed the first 12 games while recovering from left knee surgery. Then he sat out Nov. 19’s 121-112 loss to the Toronto Raptors because he isn’t cleared to compete on both nights of a back-to-back.

    Meanwhile, Embiid will miss his 10th consecutive game on Sunday because of knee injuries. He’ll miss his ninth straight because of right knee injury management or soreness. Embiid also missed the Sixers’ 111-108 home loss to the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 9 because he doesn’t play on back-to-back nights to rest his left knee.

    Tyrese Maxey more concerned about his friend’s health than having Joel Embiid back on the court

    At this point, Embiid has been available for six of the Sixers’ first 18 games.

    A season ago, Embiid played in only four of the first 18 contests en route to making just 19 total appearances. Meanwhile, George was further along, playing in nine contests. He ended up playing in 41.

    When he does play, George has shown signs of being a solid piece for the Sixers.

    He scored his team’s first 11 points before becoming more of a facilitator and defensive standout, as Maxey finished with a career-high 54 points in a 123-114 overtime road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 20.

    Right now, however, he’s playing short stints while on a minutes restriction.

    “It’s difficult,” George said. “I mean, it’s difficult knowing, to start the game off, how long you’ll be out there. But then, as the game goes on, you’re like, subconsciously counting how much time you’ve got left. So it’s tough. It’s a challenge, especially trying to find rhythm, try to stay in rhythm, and try to just be consistent with the time that you’re out for it.”

    Paul George and Joel Embiid look on during the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center.

    But for now, Maxey is carrying the bulk of the load while Embiid and George are dealing with injuries. That’s no different from last season until he, too, succumbed to injuries.

    Maxey is averaging a league-leading 40 minutes per game. One has to wonder if the Sixers are relying too much on him because of his fellow maximum-salary teammates’ lack of availability.

    Sixers mailbag: Will Joel Embiid ever be able to play without a minutes restriction?

    One also has to wonder how much, under the circumstances, relying heavily on Edgecombe and Oubre may have contributed to their injuries.

    Despite being a rookie, Edgecombe was third in the league in minutes played at 37.3. Meanwhile, Oubre averaged 36.7 minutes through his first 11 games. He played just 14:56 before exiting at halftime in his 12th and latest appearance.

    Yes, the Sixers showed resilience at the beginning of the season that captivated the city.

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey meets with teammate center Joel Embiid after the Sixers beat the Orlando Magic, 136-124, on Oct. 27.

    But, so far, after the hot start, Embiid and George’s lack of availability has made things reminiscent of last season’s teams. Back then, the Sixers spent most of the season battling for an NBA Play-In tourney spot before opting to tank.

    Things could change for the Sixers, especially if the duo spends a substantial amount of time on the court moving forward.

    But at this moment, this season has 2024-25 vibes.

  • Jared McCain is gaining more confidence on the court since his return for the Sixers

    Jared McCain is gaining more confidence on the court since his return for the Sixers

    Jared McCain called for a Dominick Barlow screen, then created the space to get to his spot and elevate for a mid-range jumper.

    The 76ers’ second-year guard has long identified that “bump middie” as one of his favorite types of shots. And that first-quarter bucket ignited McCain’s best performance — in statistical production and in mobility — since returning from a nearly 11-month absence following knee and thumb surgeries.

    He finished with 15 points and two assists in 26 minutes Sunday in the Sixers’ 127-117 loss to the Miami Heat, a needed lift with standout rookie starter VJ Edgecombe sidelined with calf tightness.

    It was evidence of the positive steps McCain has taken since going on a G League assignment — and an encouraging longer-term sign for a Sixers team already utilizing guard-heavy lineups this season.

    “I felt really good today,” McCain said after the game. “I felt like I got a little burst for my first step. Just continue to build off each game, the more minutes I play.”

    Sixers takeaways from a loss to the Heat: Opposing big men causing trouble; Jared McCain has best game

    McCain’s week since a two-game stint with the Delaware Blue Coats was a micro journey in itself.

    He played only five minutes during last Monday’s home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Then he finally made his first shot in Wednesday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors, a moment of “pure joy” captured when he threw his arms out and yelled in celebration. He then cleared another medical checkpoint by also playing the second half of a back-to-back the following night at the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring eight points and looking “a little bit more like we needed him to play,” coach Nick Nurse said.

    Sunday afternoon, the still-uber-popular McCain was greeted with exuberant cheers upon entering the game late in the first quarter. After his first bucket, he got downhill for a finger-roll layup and flexed after burying a game-tying three-pointer late in the second quarter. A third-quarter deep shot from the top of the key pushed his point total into double figures for the first time this season. Another three-pointer got the Sixers within 102-96 early in the final period, before Miami’s final surge.

    An acceleration in McCain’s reacclimation would be a plus for a Sixers team already thriving while playing three-guard lineups.

    Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, and Edgecombe have boasted a plus-14.6 net rating (and have averaged 121.1 points per 100 possessions) while sharing the floor for 213 minutes in 15 games, often in closing lineups. Before the season, Nurse even floated experimenting with four guards on the floor together. But if Edgecombe’s calf issue lingers, McCain could immediately slide into such personnel combinations.

    This long recovery process has taught McCain — who was an early Rookie of the Year front-runner before suffering a torn meniscus in mid-December — to practice patience and recognize “small wins.” Being able to walk again after surgery. Or play in an NBA game. Or take a hit from a defender and still step back onto his left foot and fire a shot.

    Sixers’ Paul George pleased to return to court after ‘long journey’ back from knee surgery: ‘There were so many emotions’

    He proclaimed earlier this week that there was “no such thing as garbage time” while regaining comfort on the floor. And even after he missed his first nine shot attempts over four games since debuting Nov. 4 at the Chicago Bulls, he said he did not believe in slumps.

    “I put in the work,” McCain said after shootaround last Monday, “so I know it’s going to show whenever it needs to.”

    Aiding that recent progress has been a switch from a bulky knee brace — “every time I dribbled, it felt like I was about to fall over,” McCain said — to a compression sleeve called Incrediwear. He also said he is unbothered by the brace he continues to wear on his shooting hand, though: “I try not to put any negative energy in the universe talking about the thumb.”

    So what are McCain’s next incremental goals?

    Sixers guard Jared McCain drives to the basket against Miami’s Dru Smith on Sunday.

    Defensively, he wants to improve at running full speed to close out on a shooter, then push off his left leg to change direction to cut off another player. Offensively, his first step with the ball in his hands still can get quicker.

    And after Sunday’s game, Nurse reemphasized the importance of McCain’s three-point shooting, after he made 38.3% of his 5.8 attempts in 23 games as a rookie and shot 41.4% from long range during his one college season at Duke. That floor-spacing can be particularly valuable when Maxey relentlessly attacks the rim.

    “I know I keep saying that,” Nurse said, “but we do need that production from him.”

    Tyrese Maxey’s impact extends far beyond basketball. Philly is blessed to have him.

    As Sunday’s halftime clock ticked down, McCain was one of the first players out of the Sixers’ locker room.

    He uses that additional time to get his knee moving again, after sitting during the break. But he also aims to mimic part of the routine of future Hall of Fame sharpshooter Stephen Curry, who said he visualizes shots falling before the third quarter begins.

    “I just want to get loose again,” McCain said. “So I try to come out as early as possible and get my reps up, and see the ball go through the net.”

    McCain is still not back to the player he was before his surgeries and lengthy absence. But Sunday marked his best game since his return, an important step for him and the Sixers.

    “I just want him to keep being aggressive and keep being himself,” Maxey said of McCain earlier this week. “ … It’s going to take some time. I think [we need to] just keep pushing confidence into him.

    “Just remind him who he is, and remind him what he does.”

  • Sixers takeaways from a loss to the Heat: Opposing big men causing trouble; Jared McCain has best game

    Sixers takeaways from a loss to the Heat: Opposing big men causing trouble; Jared McCain has best game

    The 76ers have a tough time matching up with towering, athletic post players.

    Even in a loss, Justin Edwards is developing into a steady player who makes the right play.

    Jared McCain is starting to regain the rhythm that made him a rookie-of-the-year front-runner last season before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

    Those things stood out Sunday in the Sixers’ 127-117 loss to the Miami Heat at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Struggling against height

    Andre Drummond was the tallest available Sixer on Sunday at 6-foot-11. Dominick Barlow, who backed him up at center, stands 6-9. Meanwhile, starting forward Paul George and reserve forward Trendon Watford are both 6-8.

    Miami started 7-foot Kel’el Ware at center and 6-9 Bam Adebayo at power forward. The duo took full advantage of their height advantage. Ware finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds. He had eight points and eight rebounds (six offensive) in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Adebayo, a three-time All-Star, had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

    Tyrese Maxey’s impact extends far beyond basketball. Philly is blessed to have him.

    Drummond held his own, finishing with 14 points and a season-high 23 boards for his sixth double-double in seven games. But the Sixers were outrebounded, 58-46.

    “The biggest challenge was, I think he really got going when we got into rotations for Drum being out,” coach Nick Nurse said of matching up with Ware. “His size was just a little too much for our other guys tonight with what we had out there.

    “So then, we tried to do as much as we could, matching Drum with his minutes. But again, he was just a little too long and bouncy down there for us for most of the game.”

    Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo dunks on Dominick Barlow in the fourth quarter.

    The Heat (11-6) took advantage of the Sixers (9-7) not having starting center Joel Embiid and reserve Adem Bona.

    But this isn’t the first time they have had a tough time matching up against towering post players. They struggled trying to defend Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in a 132-121 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 5. Embiid missed that game. Bona played, but struggled mightily against the 6-11 big men.

    On that night, the Sixers held a 43-34 rebounding advantage in a game that was basically over after three quarters. Allen had 24 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in 29 minutes, 31 seconds. Mobley added 23 points, five rebounds, and three blocks in 34:02.

    The Sixers need to find a way to erase their margin of error, regardless of who’s available to play.

    “I think who is in and out of the lineup is out of our control. Let me start with that,” Drummond said. “And the guys who do play, we play to the best of our ability. We’re playing good teams. And you know it’s hard to find a rhythm when we are not knowing who we are playing with on a nightly basis. So still not an excuse. I think this game was very winnable for us.

    “Just a few mistakes down the stretch of the game. It’s a good team we’re playing. It’s a great team. So we’ll get them next time.”

    Drummond has a point: This was a winnable game. The Sixers battled back from a 16-point deficit, closing the gap to two points (105-103) on Trendon Watford’s layup with 8:28 remaining.

    The Heat responded with a 13-2 run to put the game out of reach.

    Tyrese Maxey had 27 points on 10-for-23 shooting along with six assists, two steals, and three turnovers before exiting the game with 1:29 left.

    But the Sixers must do a better job of defending opposing bigs regardless of who’s on the floor. If not, they could be in trouble.

    Edwards’ heady plays

    Edwards made his third consecutive start at small forward in place of the injured Kelly Oubre Jr. (sprained left knee). The former Imhotep Charter standout is doing a solid job of filling in.

    Edwards is starting to develop a knack for making the right play. He knows that his teammates, Maxey and George, are the go-to players. So he spaces the floor, hustles for loose balls, crashes the boards, and looks for his shot only when he is open.

    Doing that, Edwards finished with seven points on 3-for-8 shooting to go with four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks against the Heat.

    The second-year player out of Kentucky also did a solid job of getting Maxey the ball. One of his assists came on Maxey’s three-pointer right before the shot clock expired with1:22 remaining in the half. On the next possession, he assisted on McCain’s three-pointer.

    “I’m just playing basketball, making the right play,” Edwards said. “That’s what I do. That’s my role. I’m not trying to play outside of my role. I’m just going to do whatever keeps me on the court. I’m not going to go out there, trying to play Tyrese Maxey’s role. That’s not my role.

    “So I just make the right play. If I’m open, I’ll shoot it. If I drive and they [bring] help, whoever the next man is, I’ll pass it. It’s the right play, honestly.”

    Sixers guard Jared McCain reacts after making a third quarter three-point basket.

    McCain’s best game

    McCain posted his best performance of the season with a season-high 15 points on 5-for-11 shooting — including making 3 of 4 three-pointers — in a season-high 25:43. The second-year guard had eight points in 13 minutes on Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks and five points in 14 minutes the night before vs. the Toronto Raptors.

    VJ Edgecombe sits out Sixers game with tightness in calf

    McCain failed to score on a combined 0-for-9 shooting during his first four games of the season. The 6-3, 210-pounder is starting to show his scoring prowess as he gets reacclimated to playing basketball.

    He made his season debut on Nov. 4 against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. McCain was rusty in his first game since suffering a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee on Dec. 13, 2024. He was supposed to return in time for training camp, but a torn ligament in his right thumb cost him the first six games of this season.

    “It definitely felt the best,” McCain said of Sunday’s game. “I think each game is just getting more reps on the knee and more reps of movement. But I felt really good today.

    “Felt like I got a little burst for my first step, and yeah, just continue to build off each game. And the more minutes I play and the more time I’m in, I feel like I can get more reps up. And yeah, it felt really good.”

    Sixers coach Nick Nurse watches his team take on the Miami Heat.

    Injuries have certainly hurt

    Sunday was the Sixers’ 16th game of the season. By this time, teams should have a pretty good idea of their competitiveness.

    But that hasn’t been the case for the Sixers because of injuries, preventing a full lineup. Embiid missed his seventh consecutive game because of knee injuries. He missed the last six games with right knee soreness. He also missed the Sixers’ Nov. 9 home loss to the Detroit Pistons for injury management on his left knee.

    Meanwhile, Oubre and Bona (sprained right ankle) missed their fourth consecutive games. Sunday marked the first game that VJ Edgecombe sat out because of left calf tightness.

    It also marked the third game that George (left knee injury recovery) has played in since being sidelined for the first 12. Two other Sixers — McCain and Watford (hamstring tightness) — were sidelined at the start of the season. And it was Barlow’s fifth game back after missing nine with a lacerated right elbow.

    Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe (center), who missed his first game of the season, watches his teammates take on the Miami Heat with forward Paul George (left) and guard Kyle Lowry.

    As a result, the Sixers started Edwards, George, Drummond, Quentin Grimes, and Maxey against the Heat.

    While the situation isn’t ideal, Nurse hasn’t been concerned by how the injuries have slowed the evaluation process. He actually sees it the other way.

    “I think we are getting some really good evaluations on a lot of the younger guys that we maybe wouldn’t have gotten,” Nurse said. “But, you know, obviously, we barely integrated Paul and Joel. Paul’s [played around 65 minutes]. Joel’s played six games. Most of those were minutes restricted, right? I think we’re still trying to work Jared McCain back into it. He’s still minutes restricted. I think I’m not in a big hurry to evaluate and figure out who we are right now, just trying to play as hard as we can each night and keep kind of working these guys back in.”

  • Jared McCain puts on a shooting display, Joel Embiid sits out against the Magic, and more

    Jared McCain puts on a shooting display, Joel Embiid sits out against the Magic, and more

    Jared McCain, who is recovering from right thumb surgery, has been out of his split for two days. But the 76ers guard put on a solid shoot display following Monday’s shootaround, and looked like someone who could make a solid impact upon his return.

    “That’s the progress,” coach Nick Nurse said before Monday night’s game against the Orlando Magic at Xfinity Mobile Arena. “He’s going to have to go through a series of days of contact and all that stuff, too.”

    The second-year player was cleared to switch from his initial split to a smaller one and partake in drills after being reevaluated a couple of days ago. As was the case prior to injury, he shot the ball at a high percentage during the workout.

    Joel Embiid likes what he sees in Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe

    He began his session by shooting three-pointers with VJ Edgecombe and Eric Gordon. After Edgecombe and Gordon cleared the court, McCain participated in solo drills, attempting more threes and concluding with foul shots.

    “Inserting him in with the VJ, Tyrese [Maxey] and [Quentin Grimes guard] group is the plan,” Nurse said of how he wants to use McCain. “That was sort of the plan going into the season. Again, I think they all can do a variety of things, and give us a chance to have some more depth. Gives us a chance to, again, play some shorter stints so the energy can stay high and all those things.

    “We need him back. We look forward to having him back.”

    McCain suffered the injury while working out on Sept. 25, the day before the unofficial start of his second season. He underwent surgery on Sept. 30 at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

    McCain had previously been cleared as a full training-camp participant after missing the final 4½ months of last season with a torn meniscus in his left knee. He suffered that injury on Dec. 13 during a home loss to the Indiana Pacers.

    McCain, now 21, was a revelation for the Sixers last season and would have been a major contributor for a struggling team if he had remained healthy.

    Despite playing in just 23 games, he finished tied for seventh in the NBA’s rookie of the year voting. McCain was awarded a third-place vote from the media panel of 100 voters. Before the injury, he was the favorite to win the award.

    McCain averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He also shot 46% from the field — including 38.3% from three. The California native joined Hall of Famer Allen Iverson as the only Sixers rookies to average at least 15 points and two made three-pointers.

    He made three or more three-pointers in eight consecutive games from Nov. 8-22 to set an NBA rookie record.

    McCain was named the Eastern Conference rookie of the month for games played in October and November last season.

    Joel Embiid sidelined

    It wasn’t surprising that Joel Embiid missed Monday’s game.

    The 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star won’t play on both nights of back-to-backs, and the Sixers will face the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena on Tuesday.

    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.

    As Joel Embiid adapts to his new reality, can he help the Sixers be competitive?

    Embiid playing “is always going to be our best version of our basketball team,” Nurse said. “He’s still obviously working his way back into being the guy that can play. I don’t know if we’re ever going to get to 48 minutes, but working his way up the ladder a little bit.

    “I think we know the situation like we’re in with back-to-backs that he’d be missing one of the two games, and we got to go play, knowing that is probably better than finding out another way.”

    Barlow’s procedure

    Nurse said Dominick Barlow was undergoing a procedure on Monday to address a right elbow laceration while his teammates were facing the Magic. The power forward will also sit out Tuesday’s contest.

    Barlow averaged 7.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as the starting power forward in the first two games.

    “It was kind of a nice fit,” Nurse said of Barlow being in the starting lineup. “He was guarding tough. He was rebounding tough. He was offensive rebounding really well. We just got to move on. And again, it affects your depth.”

  • 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.

  • Joel Embiid will play in Sixers’ opener vs. Celtics; Paul George to sit out

    Joel Embiid will play in Sixers’ opener vs. Celtics; Paul George to sit out

    BOSTON — Joel Embiid will play for the 76ers in the season opener against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night at TD Garden.

    As expected, Paul George, Trendon Watford, and Jared McCain will be sidelined.

    The game will mark Embiid’s first regular-season contest since he faced the Brooklyn Nets in a 105-103 loss on Feb. 22. Embiid played in just 19 games last season before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on April 11. It was his second surgery on the knee in 14 months and the third in nine years.

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    Embiid played Friday in the final preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and three steals in a little over 18 minutes. The 7-foot-2, 280-pounder then took part in practices on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before being cleared to play.

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    George is sidelined as he continues to recover from left knee surgery. Watford will miss the game with left hamstring tightness, while McCain is out as he recovers from right thumb surgery.

    Boston’s Jaylen Brown is questionable with a strained left hamstring and Jayson Tatum is expected to miss the season after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon during the playoffs.