Nicole Michalik spends her afternoons talking directly to Philadelphians as they make their way home. As a host on 92.5 XTU, the city’s country music station, she’s on air from 2 to 7 p.m., juggling live breaks, listener calls, and interviews with artists like Luke Combs and Parker McCollum. Radio, she insists, is still relevant, “sexy” even. “I’m live, I’m local, I’m talking about stuff that’s going on in Philly,” Michalik said. What more could you want?
Michalik lives in Midtown Village, but her days stretch across the city, including a trek to Bala Cynwyd, where the radio station is located. She loves her job. In fact, she loves it so much that her perfect Philly day includes a trip to the office. Here’s what else it includes.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
7:30 a.m.
I usually wake up somewhere between 7 and 7:30. First thing I do is check socials and email, then I make coffee at home. I need it piping hot. I use a Keurig — no judgment — with organic half-and-half.
I take it back to bed and do my Instagram bit, “Coffee Under the Covers.” I started it during COVID and it just became a thing. I’ll take a sip and talk about whatever’s on my mind. People have sent me mugs. It’s wild.
After that, I record my Boston radio show from home. I’m on Country 102.5 up there, so I have a whole setup — computer, mic, everything. I want it to feel as local as possible, even though I’m not physically there.
10 a.m.
I force myself to work out. I walk to XForce to train with James, who keeps me accountable. I hate working out, but I don’t hate it there, so that’s a win for me.
When I cross Broad Street, I always take a photo of City Hall and post the temperature. It’s become a thing. One of my friends who lives in Portugal checks it every day. He calls me his Cecily Tynan.
11:30 a.m.
After the gym, I get my hair blown out at Dina Does Glam inside Sola Salons at 15th and Walnut. I go at least once a week. I love that Sola lets people in the beauty industry run their own little studios.
From there, I walk to Gran Caffè L’Aquila for an iced coffee. It’s the best iced coffee in the city. That’s nonnegotiable.
I try to head home after that, because if I don’t, I’ll get sucked into Sephora buying makeup I absolutely do not need.
1 p.m.
I get ready for work and drive to Bala Cynwyd. On the way, I stop at the Starbucks on City Avenue. I order an iced Americano with almond milk and a drizzle of caramel. They know me there.
I don’t even know if caffeine really affects me that much. I just love the ritual. I like sipping it throughout the show.
Nicole Michalik works at 925XTU on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 in Philadelphia.
2 to 7 p.m.
I’m live on the air. On my perfect day, I’m doing a Zoom interview with Luke Combs, and he finally announces he’s coming back to Philly. We’ve been mad at him for skipping us for a few years, so this would be huge.
7:30 p.m.
After work, I meet friends at Lark in Bala Cynwyd. It’s right across from the station, and it’s one of my favorite places. I’m ordering the gnocco fritto — they’re like little puffy clouds with lemon ricotta — and the striped bass. Nick Elmi just knows what he’s doing.
9 p.m.
I’m heading to a Sixers game. In my perfect world, it’s the Eastern Conference finals, Joel Embiid has great knees, and we’re winning. I live in the city and love walking everywhere, but I also love that Philly is easy to drive around — as long as the PPA doesn’t get you.
11 p.m.
Once 11 p.m. hits — I’m like Cinderella — I’m ready for bed. I love going home to put my pajamas on.
“Taking what the defense gives me,” Embiid said after finishing with 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting along with six assists, four rebounds, and a block. “But physically, where I felt most [like myself] is defensively. I’m getting back to that level of [protecting the rim], blocking shots and being that defensive presence.”
The 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star is averaging 29.2 points on 47.9% shooting, along with 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 33.0 minutes over his last six games. This comes after Embiid averaged 18.2 points on 40.7% shooting to go with 5.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 25.0 minutes in his first nine games.
“If you want to talk about feeling like myself, two years ago, when I felt like I reached that peak level of every time I stepped on the court, I felt like I could score 40 or 50 every single night,” Embiid said. “I can be more aggressive, but I feel like I’m also smarter.”
As a result, he notes that he also is doing more of what’s needed for the Sixers (18-14) to succeed instead of making sure he puts up big individual numbers.
But a significant sign of feeling like his usual self occurred when Embiid attempted to pass the ball to himself off the backboard in Tuesday’s 139-136 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid missed this attempt. But it was a move he completed on April 20, 2024, in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks. It was a move he might have been too hesitant to try earlier this season and during the 2024-25 campaign. He said it was instinctual on Tuesday.
“The last time I tried it, I got hurt,” said Embiid, who had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists against the Grizzlies. “Maybe that’s a sign that I’m feeling good. At first I was going to lay it up. … I think it’s a good sign. … To get that first one, I got to make it look exciting.
The 10-year veteran has missed 17 games this season, primarily because of swelling, soreness, and injury management of both knees.
Embiid played in just 19 games last season before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on April 11. It was his second left knee surgery in 14 months and third in nine years. He had surgery on Feb. 6, 2024, after suffering a torn meniscus in his knee eight days earlier in a game against the Golden State Warriors. That surgery limited his regular season to 39 games.
Before that injury, Embiid was a front-runner to win a second straight MVP award and third consecutive scoring title.
Before this setback, Embiid was having a historic 2023-24 regular season. He was leading the league (and setting a career high) in scoring at 35.3 points per game, to go along with 11.3 rebounds, a career-best 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks.
You never see the biggest stories coming. That’s kind of by definition, isn’t it?
The year 2025 was relatively quiet one as far as seismic activity goes. The Sixers’ arena switcheroo probably was the biggest pure news story next to the Eagles’ Super Bowl win. Compare that to 2024, in which Saquon Barkley and Paul George signed, Jason Kelce retired, Matvei Michikov arrived, and the Sixers went belly-up. That, in addition to Carter Hart being arrested, Cutter Gauthier forcing a trade, and Haason Reddick being traded.
It’s impossible to say whether the earth will shake in 2026. But if it does, here is how it could happen:
1. Lane Johnson announces his retirement after 13 NFL seasons and leaves the Eagles scrambling.
At this point, nothing suggests that Johnson will seriously consider retiring after the season. The contract extension he signed last year tacked on $40 million in guarantees in 2025 and 2026. That’s a pretty good reason for Eagles fans to take comfort, especially if Johnson returns to the field for the postseason, as is expected. He’d be walking away from some serious money if he retired this offseason.
At the same time, we’d be foolish not to at least acknowledge the possibility, given the dramatic implications it would have on the Eagles’ roster. Johnson has been the single biggest reason the Eagles have seamlessly bridged their competitive teams through a rotating cast of quarterbacks and head coaches. There will be no replacing him, at least not immediately.
Johnson has been open about the punishment that the NFL has inflicted upon his body over the years. That’s worth noting after a regular season in which he missed seven games because of injury for the first time since 2020 and just the second time in his career.
At 35 years and 239 days, Johnson is the second-oldest offensive lineman to play at least 300 snaps this season. Only Kelvin Beachum has him beat at 36 years, 207 days. Since 2015, only seven offensive linemen have a season of 12-plus starts at age 36 or older.
Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown shown after making a catch against the Bills on Sunday in Buffalo.
2. A.J. Brown gets traded for a conditional 2027 second round pick that can become a first; Eagles immediately invest in a replacement.
Forget about Brown’s public grumbling for a moment. Consider instead this fact: In the 10 games in which Brown has seen eight or more targets, the Eagles are 5-5. In the five games in which he has seen fewer than eight targets, the Eagles are 5-0. Kind of strange, isn’t it?
Correlation doesn’t equal causation, but Brown’s on-field performance clearly has dipped this season. In his first three years with the Eagles, he looked like a receiver who belonged in the conversation for best in the sport. That hasn’t been the case this season. The explosiveness, the burst, the strength at the point of attack and in the air appear to be diminished. The numbers reflect it. His 8.3 yards-per-target is down nearly 20% from 2022 to 2024 (10.3), as is his yards per reception (12.9, down from 15.4) and his catch percentage (52.1, down from 56.3).
Brown is at an age at which decline can come fast at the wide receiver position. Cooper Kupp hasn’t broken 850 yards in a season since turning 29. Same goes for Brandin Cooks and Odell Beckham Jr.
DeAndre Hopkins averaged 1,380 yards per season from 25-28 years old and 644 yards at 29-30 years old. Adam Thielen averaged 6.4 catches and 82.8 yards per game at 27-28 and 4.2 catches and 53.7 yards at 29-30.
Alshon Jeffery, Allen Robinson, Michael Thomas, Tyreek Hill … the list goes on. For Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, and Antonio Brown, the drop-off came at 30 or 31.
There are exceptions: Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, Mike Evans. But they are very much exceptions.
To justify trading Brown, the Eagles almost certainly would have to have a replacement lined up. Jahan Dotson clearly isn’t a suitable second option. In the four regular-season games Brown has missed over the last two seasons, Dotson has a total of five catches for 25 yards. In those four games, the Eagles’ total wide receiver production outside of DeVonta Smith was 20 catches for 94 yards.
The Eagles would save about $7 million against the cap if they traded Brown after June 1. They might be able to accommodate a free-agent offer to somebody like Alec Pierce, the Colts deep threat whose all-around game took an intriguing step forward this season. But there are a lot of teams that will be in the free-agent market this season, with the Patriots and dream quarterback Drake Maye at the top of the list.
Even if Brown isn’t the player at 29 years old that he was at 27, he would still be difficult to replace. Combined with the limited financial upside of moving him, we’ll have to see this story to believe it.
Sixers center Joel Embiid has scored 27 or more points in his last three games.
3. Joel Embiid helps to lead the Sixers to a first-round playoff upset and sparks trade interest among teams desperate to catch the Thunder and Spurs.
Embiid entered the new year having scored 27-plus points in three straight games. That counts as an accomplishment these days. He looked like an empty husk of his former self in his first nine games of the 2025-26 season, averaging just 18.2 points on a woeful .441 effective field goal percentage.
Question is, what if Embiid’s recent uptick in minutes and production is a signal that he has more left in the tank than we’ve given him credit for? He still needs to show a lot more defensively. And he has yet to play more than 71 minutes in a seven-day span. But he just logged 38 minutes in an overtime win over the Grizzlies, four days after playing a season-high 32 minutes in a loss to the Bulls.
With three years and $188 million left on his contract after this season, Embiid would probably have to be playing at his prime MVP level to have positive trade value. A more realistic question is whether he can play well enough to change the Sixers’ short-term narrative.
4. Eagles hire Shane Steichen or Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator.
The Colts would be foolish to fire Steichen, who has somehow managed to put together a 25-25 record with the following starting quarterbacks: Gardner Minshew (7-6), Daniel Jones (8-5), Anthony Richardson (8-7), Joe Flacco (2-4), and Philip Rivers (0-3). But here is what owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon told the Athletic recently:
“Most people don’t like change,” said Irsay-Gordon, who has been patrolling the sidelines with a clipboard all season. “I think there’s something wrong with me, but I feel like it is the one thing that is a guarantee. I think it can be exciting.”
Even if the Colts part ways with Steichen, a team like the Giants could easily snatch him up. I can’t imagine Nick Sirianni would demote himself from head coach in order to restore Steichen as the play-caller. It definitely would be a heck of a story.
McDaniel might be a more realistic option, although he may be in the process of saving his job by leading the Dolphins to five wins in seven games.
5. Bryce Harper takes another step backward, as do the Phillies.
There has been enough passive-aggressive weirdness percolating between Harper and management that we have to at least flag him as the main character in a potential major story. Dave Dombrowski rankled Harper when he mused about Harper’s eliteness, but it is a legitimate question. At 32 years old, Harper is coming off his worst season in a decade. Another step backward would raise some serious concerns. And create some serious headlines.
DALLAS — Being relegated to a supportive teammate is tough for Kelly Oubre Jr.
The 76ers small forward was having a great season before spraining the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Thursday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks marked the 20th game he has missed since.
“Just not being able to play basketball,” Oubre said of the most frustrating part of his injury. “Not being able to be with the guys on the court in battle. I’m with them every day, off the court. And I can help and say things that I see.
“But just being in that motion with the guys is everything that I want. And, you know, just kind of losing that groove a little bit.”
The 6-foot-8, 200-pounder is expected to give the Sixers a lift once he returns. Before his injury, he averaged 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 12 games. In addition to excelling when the ball was moving, he did a solid job of guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.
“I think Kelly’s playing arguably his best basketball of his career this year,” coach Nick Nurse said, “so getting that back, the energy, and leadership defensively that he always shows — always plays hard, man. I think that’s definitely needed. He’s got a little bit more size, too.”
Oubre participated in a live four-on-four scrimmage on Wednesday in Texas. That comes after he partook in a live three-on-three scrimmage on Monday in Memphis.
“I’m doing a lot of running,” Oubre said. “But I’m also doing a lot of playing now and individual skill work. But, obviously, getting to that five-on-five and that actual live bump where I’m moving around and constantly guarding full court, that’s the next step for me.
“But other than that, I’m just going off pain management. No pain, you know, but, obviously, I have to get stronger in certain areas and get my wind up again.”
Sixers Kelly Oubre Jr. has averaged 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in his 12 games played this season.
Nurse said Tuesday that the Sixers hoped Oubre would play during this road trip. His only chance to do that would be Saturday, when the Sixers conclude the five-game trip against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. But his availability might depend on whether Oubre can get in a five-on-five scrimmage on Friday and how his body responds.
“I’m getting there,” Oubre said of getting closer to returning. “Every day, we have to take advantage of, I’m getting there.”
But how close does Oubre think he is to returning?
“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m just going off what the trainers and the docs say. So for me, I don’t feel any pain, any shortness after workouts, and things like that, which is a good sign. So I take that as a positive and just continue to build from there and get stronger.
“But I’m leaving it to the docs and the trainers.”
When he does return, Oubre doesn’t think he’ll have a problem with reintegrating.
He has yet to play in a game this season with Paul George, who was sidelined for the first 12 games because of left knee injury management. Oubre has only played six games with Joel Embiid.
But Oubre has played with Embiid the past two seasons and with George last season.
“I played with everybody already,” he said. “They know what I bring, and they know how I play. So, it’s just about finding that footing and that rhythm together again. But I don’t think it’s going to be difficult at all. I try to adapt to whatever my situation is on the court. And everybody, we flow off of each other, and I’m just going to be another piece to the puzzle.”
DALLAS — Maybe the 76ers should have listened to VJ Edgecombe sooner.
With 18.3 seconds left in Tuesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, coach Nick Nurse drew up a play with two options for the Sixers (17-14). The first option was for Tyrese Maxey to score a layup. But if Maxey drew a double team, he was instructed to dish the ball to Edgecombe, who would take the shot.
The latter happened as Edgecombe’s defender left him to trap Maxey. And the No. 3 pick in June’s NBA draft buried a 25-foot three-pointer with 1.7 seconds left in overtime to give the Sixers a 139-136 victory at FedEx Forum.
“VJ has been telling us for probably, like, three weeks that he deserves to get to shoot one game-winner,” Maxey said. “Like, at the end of the game, like, ‘Everybody has shot one! Let me shoot one!’ He shot one, and he made it.”
This was actually the second game-winning basket Edgecombe has made during the first 27 games of his professional career. The first one occurred on Dec. 4 against the Golden State Warriors at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
He scored on a putback with 0.9 seconds left after Golden State’s De’Anthony Melton blocked Maxey’s shot. After that play, Maxey blocked Melton’s layup attempt at the buzzer, enabling the Sixers to escape with a 99-98 victory. But that was more of an athletic play by Edgecombe, who was in the right place at the right time.
Tuesday’s effort showed that Edgecombe can be trusted to close out games. And his teammates are not surprised that he made the shot or that he dared to take it.
“I said, ‘OK.’ I trust him,” Maxey said of Edgecombe asking for his number to be called. “Even that play, at first we were going to go 4-flat. I said, ‘Listen, let’s try something. Come up, set a screen, see if they put two on the ball. If they put two on the ball, slip out, shoot the three, and make it.’ And that’s what happened.”
With VJ Edgecombe guarding him, Jalen Brunson was held to six points on 1-for-10 shooting in the second half of the Sixers’ Dec. 19 victory over the New York Knicks.
Joel Embiid thinks Edgecombe’s desire to attempt a game-winner was normal, especially given the looks others get on the team.
“So everybody’s always bound to have that big moment,” Embiid said. ”It’s another thing to make it. … Then tonight, he made shots to give us the win.”
Edgecombe finished with 25 points while making five three-pointers. He carried the Sixers in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 points before adding the game-winner on his lone basket in overtime.
The shooting guard, who starred last season at Baylor, has a knack for producing in the clutch for the Sixers, even on the rare nights when he struggles for three quarters.
“We’re blessed to have him. Super,” Maxey said. “Thank you, basketball gods, Lord, Baylor, I don’t know. Daryl Morey. Everybody.”
Edgecombe has made Morey, the Sixers president of basketball operations, look like a genius.
The 20-year-old showed that he can be an elite scorer by producing 34 points on 13-for-26 shooting to go with seven rebounds in the Sixers’ 117-116 season-opening victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. It was the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 43 points on Oct. 24, 1959, and Frank Selvy’s 35 on Nov. 30, 1954.
He also exhibited the ability to be a lockdown defender, with his stellar effort guarding New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson in a 116-107 victory at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 19. Brunson, a two-time All-Star, finished with 22 points on 7-for-22 shooting and missed 6 of 7 three-pointers. With Edgecombe guarding him, the former Villanova standout was held to six points on 1-for-10 shooting in the second half.
And on Tuesday, Edgecombe showed that he can be a closer.
Now, he and the Sixers turn their attention to a New Year’s Day game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Embiid is listed as probable for the matchup against the Mavs (12-22) with a sprained right ankle and right knee injury management. His absence from the game would create more scoring opportunities for Edgecombe.
Edgecombe outperformed No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg in their first meeting, finishing with 26 points, six rebounds, and four assists in a 121-114 victory on Dec. 20 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The prior matchup against Dallas was Edgecombe’s fourth straight game with at least 22 points, tying Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel for the longest such streak by a rookie this season.
Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe has been mentored by the Warriors’ Buddy Hield (left).
Edgecombe is clearly off to a fast start. So what’s his potential?
“He’s 20. Let him figure it out,” Maxey said. “I’m not going to put a cap on him. People tried to put a cap on me, and now we’re here. So, who knows? It’s up to him. How much does he want to work? Who does he want to become?”
For now, they’re enjoying the season the poised Bahamian is producing.
“A game-winner for a rookie is pretty good,” Nurse said. “He’s made some big shots and big plays this season. He’s kind of even-keeled all the time. He never shows a lot of emotion, and that’s an incredible quality to have. He just goes and plays the game.”
MEMPHIS — Tyrese Maxey lives for matchups against other elite guards. And on Tuesday, he and Ja Morant, a two-time All-Star for the Memphis Grizzlies, put on a show.
But VJ Edgecombe outshone both with the biggest shot of his young career, a game-winning three-pointer with 1.7 seconds left in overtime.
The 76ers might also be on to something when it comes to staggering the playing time of Maxey and Joel Embiid.
And even though they snapped a three-game skid, Kelly Oubre Jr.‘s impending return will provide a much-needed lift.
Edgecombe has a knack for producing in the clutch. And that’s precisely what the third overall pick did to improve the Sixers to 17-14.
With two defenders on him, Maxey made the right read and passed the ball to Edgecombe. He responded by draining a wide-open 25-footer to give the Sixers a 139-136 lead.
Coming out of a timeout with 18.3 seconds left, the play was set up for Maxey to get a layup or for Edgecombe to take the shot.
“My teammates have faith in us to make a play,” Edgecombe said. “And yeah, that’s what happened. They doubled him, and I’m wide-open. I’m shooting it regardless. I don’t care how far out I was, I’m shooting it.”
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound rookie made 5 of 10 three-pointers to finish with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block. Edgecombe scored 13 of his points in the fourth quarter on 5-for-10 shooting — including making 3 of 4 three-pointers.
His game-winning three was his only basket in overtime.
“The moment’s never too big for me,” Edgecombe said. “It’s never too big. I was ready, to be honest. I was ready. I barely played the first half because I’m in foul trouble. I’ve got to stop hacking, but that’s how it goes.
“Like I say, Coach trusted me to make plays, and that’s what I did.”
Maxey and Embiid were the team’s co-leading scorers. Maxey finished with 34 points and a game-high 12 assists, while Embiid had 34 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks.
#Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe on stepping up in the fourth quarter and draining the game-winning shot in overtime to beat the Memphis Grizzlies: pic.twitter.com/TkX3MjIgV8
Maxey faced an All-Star point guard for the third time in the last six games. This time, he dominated play until the fourth quarter.
That’s when Maxey scored just one point on 0-for-3 shooting, while Morant tallied 18 of his game-high 40 points. Morant also outscored Maxey, 6-2, in overtime.
Maxey started his recent stretch of facing All-Star guards by outplaying New York Knicks two-time selection Jalen Brunson in a 116-107 victory at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 19.
Tyrese Maxey (right) scored 34 points against Memphis on Tuesday.
Maxey finished with a game-high 30 points while making 6 of 12 three-pointers to go with nine assists. Brunson finished with 22 points on 7-for-22 shooting — including missing 6 of 7 three-pointers — along with six rebounds and nine assists.
Then on Sunday, Maxey had mixed results against reigning MVP and three-time All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a 129-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Maxey scored 23 points on 8-for-10 shooting in the first half. However, he was held to just five points in the second half.
Maxey, a 2024 All-Star, was held scoreless in the third quarter on 0-for-3 shooting. He scored his five fourth-quarter points on 2-for-5 shooting. Maxey also finished the game with four steals and five turnovers. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points on 10-for-13 shooting.
Maxey loves to see where he stacks up against other elite point guards. And on Tuesday, he showed the 15,668 in attendance why he’s a favorite to be an All-Star starter.
Creating opportunities to excel
Embiid was averaging 29 points in his previous four contests entering Tuesday. However, Maxey was out of rhythm, shooting 31.6% in the last two games Embiid played in. At that point, some wondered whether Embiid looking for his own shot took away from Maxey’s game.
Against the Grizzlies, the Sixers’ substitution pattern enabled both of them to thrive.
Maxey played the entire first quarter while Embiid was subbed out with 5 minutes, 33 seconds remaining in the quarter. Then Embiid reentered the game at the start of the second quarter, while Maxey was on the bench.
Maxey reentered the game at the 6:47 mark of the quarter. The duo spent time on the floor together before Embiid was subbed out with 3:07 remaining in the half. He came back 27 seconds later as the pair closed out the half.
The Sixers staggered the duo similarly for the remainder of the game. And Embiid and Maxey both benefited.
The team also took some of the rebounding and rim-protection duties off Embiid by going to a double-big lineup several times, featuring him and Adem Bona.
“There was a bunch of stuff going on tonight,” coach Nick Nurse said. “I think Bona was the first sub off the bench, and that was more because of the speed they have. They just play fast. They’re just running around 100 mph the whole game. They sub pretty freely.
“As you saw at the start of the game, it almost shocked us, the speed of what was happening. We couldn’t even get back, get set up, and follow cutters. It was just happening fast. I was trying to stay a little bit speedier with that. I kind of liked Bona’s presence out there, so that was a chance to play him and Joel together a little bit at the four and five, which I really thought really looked good tonight.”
Joel Embiid scored 34 points against the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Providing rim protection, Bona blocked two shots and finished with four points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
“Back to your question [on Embiid and Maxey], we were working hard at trying to figure out who was in and who was out as far as staggering those guys to keep them going,” Nurse said. “It looked pretty decent tonight. There were a couple of segments when only one was out there, but not very many. Just a short segment of that.”
Oubre’s expected lift
This marked the 18th game that Oubre missed since spraining the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Before his injury, the 6-8 small forward was the Sixers’ X factor.
Oubre’s averages of 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals took a backseat to the Sixers’ backcourt pairing of Maxey and Edgecombe in the first 12 games. But Oubre excelled when the ball was moving, and did a solid job of guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.
The Sixers could have used him against the Grizzlies and during the first two stops of their five-game road trip. They have two more games on the trip and are set to face the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday and conclude against the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Oubre and sidelined reserve power forward Trendon Watford participated in a live three-on-three scrimmage on Monday. It was the first on-court scrimmaging for both players.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse (right) calls to his players in the first half of Tuesday’s game in Memphis.
Nurse hopes Oubre returns at some point during the trip.
“I think it’s possible,” he said. “But, again, that was their first kind of live three-on-three yesterday. And you know, see how quick it goes. See how quick we can get them back on the floor again.”
Oubre participated in an individual on-court workout before Tuesday’s matchup.
“Probably get some more live action [Wednesday],” Nurse said,” and then we’ll see where they are at.”
Nurse is excited to get Oubre back.
“I think Kelly’s playing arguably his best basketball of his career this year,” Nurse said, “so, getting that back, the energy and leadership defensively that he always shows — always plays hard man. I think that’s definitely needed. He’s got a little bit more size, too.”
Regarding a key role, Nurse said the jury is still out on Watford. The Sixers haven’t seen much of him, as the free-agent acquisition has played in just 14 games. Meanwhile, Paul George will likely slide back to power forward once Oubre returns. In that scenario, Dominick Barlow would be the backup power forward. Reserve forward Jabari Walker has also been solid for the Sixers.
“Where he would slot back in, he’s going to probably have to earn that back in there, not unlike the other guys coming back off injury,” Nurse said of Watford. “I think it’s a bit of a process, usually.
“I think Kelly kind of has a game that just translates. As he’s healthy, he’ll get out there and scrap, play hard, rebound, and defend. Whether he’s scoring or not, that can come a little bit later, if it does or whatever, but it is still a process working.”
MEMPHIS — The 76ers‘ three-game losing streak is their longest since they dropped 12 straight last season from March 17 to April 7.
How can they turn things around?
“I think we just take a look at where we can get better and go from there,” Paul George said Sunday after a 129-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center. “That’s really all we can do is just see where we can clean up our mistakes, whether it’s offensively or defensively.
“We’ve got room for improvement for sure, and we’ve just got to address that.”
The first opportunity to right the ship for the Sixers (16-14) will come Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.
The Grizzlies (15-17) are coming off a loss to the struggling Washington Wizards on Sunday night. But before that, they had won 11 of 16 games.
Will the Sixers snap their skid? Will they solve their third-quarter woes and costly turnovers?
We’ll find out what they’ll do shortly. 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.
Q: Do the Sixers play better defense when Joel Embiid doesn’t play and isn’t on the floor? — @Donny076
A: Thanks for starting the mailbag, Donald. Based on Friday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls, it’s logical to assume that is the case. However, the numbers indicate that the Sixers defense is better when the 7-foot-2 center plays. They have an average defensive rating of 114.2 in the 13 games he has played in this season, according to StatMuse. The Sixers’ rating is 115.9 in the 17 games he has missed.
But you are probably asking this question because the Sixers have lost three straight and seven of the last 10 games in which Embiid has played. They also began the season 3-0 with him in the lineup. However, without Embiid, the Sixers are 10-7.
Let’s face it, Embiid hasn’t played up to the level that has garnered him three All-Defensive honors.
Teams no longer fear his defensive presence because he cannot move laterally as quickly as he used to, is constantly out of position, and seldom jumps. As a result, opponents are running pick-and-rolls to get him involved in defensive actions and switching on to him.
But, again, the defensive rating comparison says they’re still better with him.
Sixers center Joel Embiid has scored at least 31 points twice over his last four games.
Q: Is there any possibility that they can realistically trade Embiid? — @Paulmon30725760
A: This is a great question that constantly comes up, Paul. We are all aware that the 31-year-old is making $55.2 million this season, and his three-year, $193 million extension begins next season. That’s a lot of money to take on for a player with an extensive injury history who has been a shell of his former self this season. He’s averaging career lows in points (21.8 per game), rebounds (6.5), field-goal percentage (.443), and three-point shooting percentage (.259).
But on the positive side, Embiid has scored at least 31 points twice over his last four games. The 2023 MVP is averaging 26.7 points and 8.2 rebounds over that stretch. So he is showing offensive improvement.
If Embiid can improve his defense and provide 80% of what he once did, his addition to most teams makes them instant championship contenders.
But an NBA executive would have to be really secure in his job to make that trade, because a lot could go wrong.
Sixers power forward Trendon Watford is expected to be a solid piece off the bench once he returns from an adductor strain in his thigh.
Q: When was the last time you thought the Sixers had a good bench? — @Thamass8
A: While it had a few holes, I felt as if the Sixers had a good bench two seasons ago before they shipped away Marcus Morris and Patrick Beverley right before the NBA trade deadline. That said, the Sixers also have a solid bench this season. The issue has been poor health.
Think about how loaded the Sixers’ bench would be if Trendon Watford and Dominick Barlow or Kelly Oubre Jr. joined Quentin Grimes, Jared McCain, and Andre Drummond as the four players off the bench. The only reason I’m providing the option to choose between Oubre or Barlow is that I think either player would fit in the starting lineup alongside George, Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey. But Barlow, a power forward, has been inserted into the lineup while Oubre is sidelined with a sprained ligament in his left knee.
Meanwhile, Watford, who plays well in a point forward role, has also been sidelined with an adductor strain in his left thigh. When they return, the Sixers will have plenty of options. This season’s bench is actually younger and more athletic than it was two seasons ago. It just has to get healthy.
MEMPHIS — For the 76ers, Monday was a day of receiving great news.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford participated in practice at FedEx Forum as part of their reintegration into team activities. While the Sixers were on the court, the league announced that Tyrese Maxey was second in the Eastern Conference and fourth overall in the initial fan voting returns for the NBA All-Star Game.
“I appreciate it,” Maxey said of the fans’ recognition. “Hopefully, it kind of shows us how we started out the season, winning some games. I don’t know what seed we are at right now, but trending in the right direction. We are in a little skid now. But at the beginning of the season, we did a good job of winning games. I think that’s a testimony to that.”
The East’s sixth-place Sixers (16-14) head into Tuesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a season-high three-game losing streak. After starting the season 4-0, they have gone 12-14. But the one constant has been Maxey, the league’s third-leading scorer at 30.7 points per game.
“For me personally, I think my talent level has been shown in the NBA,” he said. “I think it’s growing. But for me, it’s winning games. That’s what shows like a big gap, a big difference, and a big talent level: impact on your team. When you have that type of impact, when you can help your team win games, that’s what I want to be known for.”
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Dončić is the league’s top vote-getter with 1,249,518 votes, while Milwaukee Bucks forward and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the East at 1,192,296. Maxey has 1,072,449 votes.
Sixers PG Tyrese Maxey is second in the Eastern Conference in first returns of fan voting for the NBA All-Star game. Maxey has 1,072,449 votes, trailing only Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo who has 1,192,296 votes. LA Lakers PG Luka Doncic, of the Western… pic.twitter.com/oWucIIlpki
Fans account for 50% of the vote to determine the 10 starters for the All-Star Game, which will be played on Feb. 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. A media panel and NBA players will each account for 25% of the vote. This season, All-Stars are being selected regardless of position.
Under a new format, two teams of U.S. players and one team of international players (the World team) will compete in a round-robin tournament featuring four 12-minute games.
“It would be cool,” Maxey said of being voted an All-Star starter. “I watched Joel [Embiid] start in an All-Star Game before. It was actually really cool to be out there and watch him. So if I’m blessed with the opportunity, I definitely won’t take it for granted.
Joel Embiid (left) was an All-Star starter for Team LeBron in 2023.
“You never know how many opportunities you get like that. Hopefully, I get to watch VJ [Edgecombe] and probably Jared [McCain] on Friday [Feb. 13 in the Rising Stars competition]. So we’ll see.”
Embiid, who’s 17th in the voting (102,017), is the only other Sixer among the top 20 vote-getters in the East.
The second voting update will be on Jan. 6. Fan voting concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 14.
Sixers standout Tyrese Maxey on what it would mean to be voted as an All-Star starter. The point guard was second in the Eastern Conference and fourth overall in the initial fan-vote returns for the NBA All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/gVsyIFkMXi
Oubre (sprained left knee ligament) and Watford (strained left thigh muscle) will remain sidelined when the Sixers face the Grizzlies, while Embiid (sprained right ankle) is listed as questionable. But Oubre and Watford made their most significant strides in their return-to-play program on Monday.
After practice, both players stayed to participate in individual workouts. Oubre even did wind sprints on the court.
The 6-foot-7 swingman has been sidelined since suffering his knee sprain against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14. Watford, a 6-9 point forward, has been out since suffering his injury against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 25.
“Right now, I consider myself day to day,” Watford said when asked if he expects to return at some point during the final three games of the Sixers’ five-game road trip.
After facing the Grizzlies (15-17), the Sixers will play the Dallas Mavericks on New Year’s Day at American Airlines Center before concluding the trip on Saturday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“I was able to get some halfcourt in,” Watford said Monday. “The next step is getting some full-court in and seeing how I respond from there. But I feel good, but now, it’s on the team to clear these last two checkpoints.”
If he does some full-court workouts on Tuesday and/or Wednesday, there’s a chance Watford could return as early as Thursday against the Mavs.
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey on NBA fans making him the Eastern Conference’s second-leading NBA All-Star vote-getter in first fan returns: pic.twitter.com/0G8bXOvBcJ
Watford was one of the team’s top free-agent additions this summer. He provides frontcourt depth, and the Sixers also signed him to take over some of the ballhandling duties. The Alabama native, who is in his fifth season in the NBA, showed he’s more than capable while collecting 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists for his first career triple-double against the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 8. He averaged 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 14 games with four starts.
“Luckily, I was able to play a good amount … before I did get hurt,” he said. “I was able to get a good rhythm with the team and play with the guys. But it’s unfortunate. But it could always be worse, and I could be sitting up there for the rest of the season.
“So thank God I’m not, and I get to get back out there with the guys and get back to helping the team.”
OKLAHOMA CITY — VJ Edgecombe’s patience on the court is undeniable.
One might expect the third overall pick in June’s NBA draft to be anxious about making an impact. But the 6-foot-5 shooting guard picks his spots while deferring to Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George, the 76ers’ three maximum-salary players.
“The ultimate goal is just winning,” Edgecombe said. “I just want to win, to be honest. I know I was picked [No. 3], but they brought me here just so I can make plays. We have three prolific scorers. I don’t have to score the ball. I have to pick my times, but I must stay aggressive also. But I’m also a player that just wants to win.
“So whatever that takes, if it takes me guarding the best players on the defensive end, if that takes me playmaking, whatever, getting in the paint just to make plays for everyone else, I will do that.”
Staying aggressive has made him a human highlight film with his high-flying dunks. And it allows him to showcase his overall skill set when needed. Folks are still raving about his season-opening performance against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Oct. 22.
That night, the 20-year-old scored 34 points to help lead the Sixers to victory. 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.
But that was Embiid’s first game since February of last season, and George was sidelined with left-knee injury management. So the Sixers needed Edgecombe’s scoring prowess. Since then, the rookie has shown his scoring ability in spurts. Sometimes he’ll dominate play in a quarter or for a half — when needed. But other than that, Edgecombe defers to the Big Three.
Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe is averaging 15.8 points a game.
He took averages of 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals into Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center.
“It comes with patience,” he said. “It comes with just learning the game. I know as the No. 3 pick, but I’m on a team with people that can do that. They can score 30 a night. I can still score. I just want to win. Whatever it takes, that’s the most important thing.”
Sixers coach Nick Nurse praised Edgecombe for having a “really good feel for the game.” He noted that the rookie doesn’t get sped up during games. Still, Nurse would not mind seeing more.
“I would say, I probably would lean on him to be a little bit more aggressive,” the coach said. “I think there’s more opportunities for him to use his abilities, especially in transition, up the floor, etc.
“So, again, great feel for it. You know me well enough that I’m always pushing these guys to go a little bit more on the aggressive side, not necessarily for their own shots, but just to play-make. Get in there and draw two defenders, draw three defenders. Figure out how to start doing that and make the right play, create on offense.”
The lack of it is apparent when the Sixers find themselves trailing, when their offense melts into predictable isolation plays, rushed heaves, and unforced turnovers.
A lack of health is one reason why the odds are against the Sixers’ Big Three ever living up to their lofty expectations. A lack of self-awareness may be another. But the lack of rhythm seems to be the go-to explanation for the team’s 0-4 record when the three maximum-salary players all play.
“I think we need to figure it out and look at it, right?” coach Nick Nurse said when asked if he’s concerned. “I mean, it’s been a little sporadic as far as when they played together. That doesn’t help. I mean, I’d really like 10 or 15, 20 straight games so we can kind of start building some stuff and figuring out when to go where and get a little bit of rhythm and synergy. It’s just so choppy when they play together as far as in consecutive games. It’s hard to build rhythm.”
The trio won’t get an opportunity to build rhythm in Sunday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center.
Embiid will miss the contest with a sprained right ankle and right knee injury management. Meanwhile, George is probable with left knee injury management.
But if we’re honest, the Sixers (16-13) have no business remaining winless in games featuring their three best players.
Sure, George is finally regaining his old form after missing 15 games due to left-knee injury management and another one due to a sprained right ankle. And Embiid, no longer a dominant force on both ends of the court, has lacked his usual bounce and lateral movement. Sunday will mark the 17th game he’ll miss while dealing with injuries to both knees and now his ankle.
The Sixers’ tempo has even suffered when the 7-foot-2, 280-pounder is on the floor. Instead of being a fast-paced and athletic ball-moving squad, the Sixers’ offense becomes stagnant. Defensively, has been a struggle for the 2023 MVP, who is a seven-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive selection.
No longer fearing him, teams are running pick-and-rolls to get Embiid involved in defensive actions and switching onto him. And they’ve been successful due to his inability to move as quickly as he used to laterally and his constantly appearing out of position. That has led to players feasting on Embiid, who rarely jumps or comes out to contest shots. Nor is he able to consistently prevent players he once dominated from getting to the rim.
But he’s averaged 29 points on 18 for 32 shooting — including shooting 60% on three-pointers — over his last two games, which featured the Big Three. Yet, that didn’t make a difference against two opponents the Sixers should have defeated.
They suffered a 114-106 loss to the struggling Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. At the time, the Sixers could have used the excuse of playing without three of their most athletic players in VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow, and Quentin Grimes due to illness.
Edgecombe, Barlow, and Grimes returned for Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Sixers were supposed to avenge their Nov. 4 loss in Chicago, a game in which they squandered a 24-point lead.
Joel Embiid has not been the same type of defensive deterrent for opposing teams as he has been in past seasons.
Instead, the Sixers suffered a 109-102 loss after shooting 23.8% in the fourth quarter — including missing nine of 10 three-pointers. George scored three fourth-quarter points on 1-for-3 shooting, but that’s a little bit misleading.
Despite George having a hot hand in the third quarter and the start of the fourth, the Sixers stopped involving him in the offense. As a result, George didn’t attempt a shot after re-entering the game with 5 minutes, 26 seconds remaining.
Meanwhile, Maxey made just 2 of 9 shots while scoring six of his 27 points in the fourth quarter. Embiid had four points on 1-for-4 shooting in the final quarter on a night he finished with a game-high 31 points.
This comes after George said on Tuesday that figuring “out how to find rhythm, playing off one another” was the next step for the Big Three to get a victory.
On Friday, he was asked the same question.
“It just comes down to us locking in,” George said. “Again, this was a game that we should have closed. A game we should have won. Just comes down to us locking in down the stretch. Again, this is a possession game, and close the game out. That’s when we need to be at our best.”
But while those three players are “locking in” and trying to build rhythm, the role players have been uninvolved.
Paul George says the Sixers need to start “locking in” and closing out winnable games.
“I think we have to get better on both ends of the floor,” George said. “We have been getting stagnant out there, and that’s made us play a little slower. [Friday], that affected us, especially down the stretch. Chicago was able to dial into us, and they made the plays in the last few minutes. That was the game for us.”
Despite their struggles, the Sixers remained in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings heading into Saturday’s slate of games. Yet, they are about to face their toughest test of the season in OKC. This is the second stop of a five-game road trip for the Sixers.
The defending NBA champion Thunder have the league’s best record at 26-5 and are 14-1 at home. Oklahoma City is precisely the type of squad that a team still trying to develop rhythm wouldn’t want to face.
“What’s tough is that we haven’t been able to have much practice time with all three of us on the floor,” Maxey said. “And that’s something we need to deal with, because the games are different. They are much different. We missed a lot of shots that we should have made. Those things happen.
