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  • Sixers vs. Lakers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey’s lack of respect, Joel Embiid’s struggles, and more from loss to Lakers

    Sixers vs. Lakers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey’s lack of respect, Joel Embiid’s struggles, and more from loss to Lakers

    Tyrese Maxey needs to keep his cool, but the 76ers point guard’s frustration is justified.

    The Sixers’ three-guard lineup of VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, and Jared McCain is showing improvement and could provide a security blanket when Maxey sits on the sideline.

    Yet, the Sixers must get more out of the center position.

    Those things stood out in the Sixers’ 112-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    No respect for Maxey

    Maxey had another dominant performance, finishing with 28 points while making 5 of 8 three-pointers. His last three pulled the Sixers (13-10) within two points at 110-108 with 7.6 seconds left.

    But Luka Dončić responded with a pair of foul shots before LeBron James stole the inbounds pass on the Sixers’ final possession as the Lakers (17-6) escaped with the four-point victory.

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    It was Los Angeles’ first victory in Philadelphia since Dec. 7, 2017.

    Dončić had game highs of 31 points and 11 assists, while James added 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. The four-time MVP scored 12 of his points on 5-for-6 shooting in the fourth quarter.

    In addition to scoring at least 28 points for the 14th time, Maxey finished with seven rebounds and nine assists.

    But you wouldn’t know he is having an All-NBA-caliber season based on the lack of calls he receives from officials. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder routinely gets hammered on his way to the basket. But fouls are rarely called.

    Coach Nick Nurse is surprised by the lack of calls Maxey receives at this stage of his career.

    “I think as much as he’s getting held and pushed and grabbed, and all that stuff, you think there’d be some more,” Nurse said. “As much as he drove it down the lane, you think there’d be some more. But the surprising ones are when [the Lakers] were trying to foul on purpose, but then they let those go.”

    There were a couple of others where the Lakers were trying to stop Maxey in transition without committing a take foul.

    The Sixers are adapting to life without stars, and reigniting their season as a result

    “And [they] whacked him upside the head,” Nurse said, “and he’s got to try to play through it.”

    The frustration that comes with that came to a boiling point on Sunday.

    No foul was called when guard Austin Reaves hacked Maxey on the arm as the Sixer blew by him on the way to the basket. Jaxson Hayes blocked his driving finger roll with 2:53 left in the first quarter.

    A heated Maxey had to be separated from an official after he expressed his disappointment over the no-call. Maxey was called for a technical as a result.

    He downplayed the incident when asked about his frustration following the game.

    “Not frustrated at all,” he said. “I laughed.”

    You got a technical foul for laughing?

    “Nah, I’m just saying, I’m happy, I’m smiling,” Maxey said. “It happens, sometimes.”

    Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, center, reacts to his three-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

    Despite trying to downplay it, Maxey’s frustration was visible. And while his actions were out of character for the fun-loving Sixer, they were understandable considering the frequency with which these no-calls happen.

    And the no-calls didn’t stop, as Reaves got away with grabbing Maxey’s arm or hand several times afterward.

    “You know, referees are human,” he said. “Sometimes, they call it. Sometimes, they don’t. But you got to keep playing through all those calls, man.

    “I ain’t tripping off that. I think the referees do a great job.”

    Solid trio

    There was a time earlier in the season that the non-Maxey minutes were tough to watch. But they’ve gotten better as McCain has regained his rhythm and Edgecombe has healed from a calf injury.

    On Sunday, the Sixers had success with their three-guard lineup of McCain, Edgecombe, and Grimes, with the standout on the bench for the first 5:45 of the second quarter.

    With those three guards leading the way, the Sixers outscored the Lakers, 16-8, before Maxey re-entered the game. Edgecombe scored five of those points, while McCain had seven.

    The Sixers went to the same three-guard lineup at the start of the fourth quarter. But it was just for a limited time as Maxey checked back into the game with 8:35 remaining.

    More needed from centers

    On paper, the Sixers had a big advantage at the center position with 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star Joel Embiid starting and two-time All-Star Andre Drummond as his backup. They faced a Lakers squad that started Deandre Ayton and had Hayes coming off the bench.

    However, Embiid struggled to make shots. Drummond did the same in the first half. Defensively, they both had a tough time guarding Ayton.

    Embiid finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. However, he missed 17 of his 21 shots, including all six of his three-pointers. Most of Embiid’s points came at the foul line, where he went 8-for-8.

    Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, left, talks with Tyrese Maxey, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

    Embiid loved the looks he got.

    “Every shot felt like it was right there,” said Embiid, who has missed 14 of the Sixers’ 23 games. “I think it all comes down to just getting back into rhythm, playing every day, and it’s hard being in and out. But I got to do it, I think every single day.

    “I like what I got tonight. I just happened to miss them. Maybe next time it’s going to go in.”

    Drummond finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds. He made five of 11 baskets, but he scored only two points on 1-for-4 shooting before intermission.

    Meanwhile, Ayton had 14 points on 7-for-7 shooting to go with 12 rebounds. Hayes put up three points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.

    The Sixers’ big men must play better for the Sixers to have any chance of beating a solid team.

  • Sixers takeaways: Paul George steps up, Tyrese Maxey gets defensive, and more in victory over Bucks

    Sixers takeaways: Paul George steps up, Tyrese Maxey gets defensive, and more in victory over Bucks

    With Paul George leading the way, the 76ers showed they can win on nights Tyrese Maxey struggles offensively.

    On the flip side, it’s time to stop being critical of Maxey’s defense.

    And Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow might be the NBA’s best two-way players.

    Those things stood out in Friday’s 116-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.

    Taking up Maxey’s offensive slack

    Maxey’s streak of scoring at least 20 points ended with 21 games. The early-season MVP candidate had a season-low 12 points on 5-for-14 — including missing all three of his three-pointers — along with finishing with four rebounds, four assists, a team-high four steals, and one block.

    Maxey’s scoring was a significant drop off from his career-high 54 points against the Bucks in the Sixers’ 123-114 overtime victory in Milwaukee on Nov. 20.

    Big night from Paul George, Sixers bench players headline 116-101 win over Bucks

    This time, Milwaukee (10-14) made a conscious effort to get the ball out of Maxey’s hand. But that tactic led to other Sixers stepping up and contributing.

    Paul George hit several clutch shots en route to finishing with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. With the Bucks mounting a comeback, the 6-foot-8 forward hit two straight jumpers to give the Sixers (13-9) a 101-87 lead with 5 minutes, 51 seconds remaining. Then he grabbed a huge defensive rebound to ward off another comeback attempt with 2:52 to play. George scored six points and four rebounds in the fourth quarter.

    George took a lot of the pressure off Maxey while logging a season-high 29 minutes, 58 seconds. He brought the basketball up the court and initiated the offense. His performance had to be refreshing for the Sixers coaching staff to see.

    Sixers forward Paul George puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) in the first half at Fiserv Forum.

    George missed Thursday’s 99-98 victory over the Golden State Warriors due to left knee injury recovery. And Friday’s matchup was just his seventh game of the season.

    “I just wanted to come out and get us on a good note,” George told NBC Sports Philadelphia following the game. “That was just my mindset. My body is starting to shape back. I’m blessed that I’m healthy, and I’m just trying to stack games.”

    George actually sat Maxey down in the fourth quarter to tell him not to worry. He said that he would finish things out for the Sixers.

    “That’s what he’s here for,” Maxey told the media. “You know what I mean? And we appreciate Paul.”

    Reserves Quentin Grimes (a team-high 22 points on six three-pointers), Adem Bona (10 points), and Walker (a season-high 18 points) also stepped up. The Sixers also led, 61-41, in bench points to help fill the gap.

    Maxey’s defense

    Not too long ago, Maxey was considered a defensive liability. That’s why there was a lot of excitement when the Sixers selected VJ Edgecombe third in June’s NBA draft. That thought was that Edgecombe or Grimes could provide a defensive presence while starting alongside Maxey in the backcourt.

    But if we learned one thing recently, Maxey is quieting his critics.

    On Thursday, the point guard blocked former Sixer De’Anthony Melton’s layup right before the final buzzer to preserve Thursday’s victory.

    Then, on Friday, Maxey finished with four steals for the third time this season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder put his defensive imprint on the game early, recording three steals in the first quarter. Then he blocked AJ Green’s three-pointer late in the second quarter.

    This comes after Maxey averaged 3.0 steals and one block in his previous two games. He’s averaged 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks through his first 21 games.

    Milwaukee Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma (18) controls the ball as he drives to the basket between Philadelphia 76ers’ Dominick Barlow, left, and Adem Bona during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

    Two-way stars

    As fourth-year players, Barlow and Walkers aren’t your typical players on two-way contracts. Walker actually signed a multi-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers after being selected by them with the 59th pick of the 2022 draft.

    Meanwhile, Barlow went undrafted in 2022 but had his two-way contracts with the San Antonio Spurs (2023-24) and the Atlanta Hawks (2024-25) converted to standard deals the past two seasons.

    Yet, they both have been huge bargains after signing two-way deals with the Sixers in July. So far, Walker has averaged 4.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in his first 20 games. Meanwhile, Barlow took averages of 8.1 points and 5.8 rebounds into the game.

    Barlow made his 10th start of the season at power forward Friday night. The 6-9, 215-pounder had a rough shooting night, missing five of six shots. However, he finished with six points, four rebounds, and a steal. Meanwhile, Walker gave the Sixers a huge lift, scoring 16 points while making 4 of 6 three-pointers before intermission. Walker made his first four threes.

    Milwaukee Bucks’ Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers’ Jabari Walker, right, Jared McCain (20), and Adem Bona during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

    The 6-7, 237-pounder cooled in the second half, scoring two points while missing two three-pointers. But his four three-pointers were a season high.

    “He was shooting like he was in Camden,” Maxey said of Walker being a solid shooter at practice.

    Maxey added, “I just want him to shoot it when he’s open. If he’s open, shoot it. That’s what he can do. he’s really good at that. Corner threes, wing threes. I think that would be a good shot for him.”

  • 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).

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    “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.

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    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.

  • Joel Embiid will miss Sixers’ game vs. Wizards; Paul George listed as questionable

    Joel Embiid will miss Sixers’ game vs. Wizards; Paul George listed as questionable

    Joel Embiid is back to recuperating.

    The 76ers center will miss Tuesday’s game against the Washington Wizards at Xfinity Mobile Arena due to a right knee injury recovery. The 7-foot-2, 280-pounder played in Sunday’s double-overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks after missing the previous nine games because of knee injuries.

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

    Embiid finished with 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a block in a season-high 30 minutes. He played after initially being listed as out for the game on Saturday’s injury report. The 2023 MVP was upgraded to questionable on Sunday’s pregame report before being cleared to play before the game.

    Sixers forward Paul George scored 16 points in Sunday’s against the Hawks.

    He’s not the only Sixer missing Tuesday’s game.

    Kelly Oubre Jr. (sprained left knee) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) will remain sidelined. Meanwhile, Paul George (left knee injury recovery/lower back tightness) and Andre Drummond (sprained right knee) are questionable.

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

    Embiid has already missed 12 of the Sixers’ 19 games because of his knee ailments. He is averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 blocks in 24.3 minutes.

  • 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.

  • Sixers takeaways: Mounting injuries, poor defense, and more from blowout loss to the Magic

    Sixers takeaways: Mounting injuries, poor defense, and more from blowout loss to the Magic

    The 76ers are literally breaking down.

    They still need to do a better job of keeping opposing teams out of the paint.

    One of the Sixers’ few positives is that Andre Drummond continues to be a rebounding machine.

    And when it comes to availability, things haven’t changed since last season for Joel Embiid and Paul George.

    Those things stood out in Tuesday’s 144-103 NBA Cup loss to the Orlando Magic at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

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

    Broken down Sixers

    This was the Sixers’ worst loss of the season.

    They had no answers for the Magic on a night when the home crowd of 19,746 booed them loudly over the last three quarters. Fans even began heading for the exits at the conclusion of the third quarter. And with the Sixers down 42 in the fourth quarter, the remaining fans chanted, ‘We want Kyle,’ in reference to Sixers reserve point guard Kyle Lowry, who’s in his 20th season.

    The Sixers (9-8, 0-3 East Group B) hobbled into their group play game against the Magic (11-8, 3-0).

    Tyrese Maxey and Dominick Barlow, who started the first two games in place of George, were the Sixers’ only available starters from the opening day lineup.

    Embiid (soreness in right knee), George (sprained right ankle), Kelly Oubre Jr. (sprained left knee), VJ Edgecombe (left calf strain), along with reserve center Adem Bona (sprained right ankle) missed the game.

    Joel Embiid, Paul George miss Sixers’ NBA Cup matchup with Orlando Magic

    The Sixers’ able bodies shrunk when Trendon Watford suffered a game-ending left adductor strain with 4 minutes, 7 seconds remaining before intermission.

    The reserve power forward grabbed the inner part of his left leg while passing the ball before falling to the court. After being helped up, Watford was assisted to the locker room.

    He had eight points, one rebound, and an assist in 11 minutes. He was 2-for-2 from the field and 4-for-4 from the foul line.

    The Sixers got another scare when Justin Edwards appeared to hurt his foot after scoring a third-quarter basket. He went to the locker room during a timeout to be checked out and returned to the game.

    Sixers rookie Johni Broome played in just his fourth game of the season on Tuesday night.

    With all the injuries, seldom-used guard Eric Gordon was the ninth man off the bench, and rookie power forward Johni Broome entered the game in the third quarter.

    “It’s out of our control, man,” Drummond said of the injuries. “It’s the next-man mentality. It’s Barlow, [Jabari] Walker, Broome, and [Hunter Sallis]. These guys got to step up and be ready to fill those shoes. You know we are not excited for our guys to go out. But for them, it’s a great opportunity to come in and showcase themselves.”

    While this is an excellent opportunity, the Sixers need to get healthy if they expect to remain competitive as they embark on an upcoming rough stretch of games.

    Sixers’ Trendon Watford leaves Magic game with left adductor strain

    Is the attrition starting to catch up to the Sixers?

    “It sure felt like it tonight,” coach Nick Nurse said. “But, again, I think two or three times a season, you are going to have games like this where it’s like everything goes wrong. All of a sudden, they get hot. They start throwing in threes. We start turning [over the ball]. We can’t catch the ball. We can’t get back. We can’t grab a rebound. Just everything was really out of whack. You never really explain it. …

    “Just like I told the guys, we’ve got to be better. That’s certainly not who we are out there tonight. We’ve got to get rid of this one, get rest and treatment over the next couple of days, and get back to who we are.”

    Sixers must stop the ball

    The Sixers struggled to stop the Magic’s dribble penetration. Orlando routinely drove to the lane with ease. Perhaps realizing the Sixers couldn’t stop it, the Magic prioritized the dribble drive for long stretches.

    This was similar to what the Hornets did to the Sixers during the second game of the season. Charlotte led, 80-56, in points in the paint and had an 20–6 advantage in second-chance points.

    Thirty of the Magic’s points in the paint came in the second quarter, where they outscored the Sixers, 51-25, to take an 86-60 halftime lead.

    “It was one of those days, 82 games,” Drummond said. “These types of games do happen. Not that we want it to happen, but [stuff] does happen. It is what it is. Everything they shot went in. And it also didn’t help that we gave them that momentum in the second quarter, going into halftime.

    “So it’s something to learn from. We’ve got to get some rest. A lot of guys are out, banged up right now. I think these next two days are very crucial for us going into Brooklyn.”

    While Drummond downplayed it, the Sixers will have to improve their defense if they expect to beat quality teams. In a copycat league like the NBA, teams will watch this game film and attack the rim until the Sixers can stop them.

    Drummond still an elite rebounder

    Drummond squaring up with Orlando center Wendell Carter Jr. was one of the most memorable things about this game.

    The Sixers center got into a fighting stance after fouling and exchanging words with Carter. Things escalated after Orlando point guard Jalen Suggs shoved Drummond. That caused Walker to push Suggs.

    Suggs received two technical fouls and was ejected. Meanwhile, Carter, Drummond, and Walker each received a technical.

    “I had to stop the bleeding, man,” Drummond said of his exchange with Carter as the Sixers trailed 82-58 with 26.6 seconds left in the half. “They went on a crazy run. For me, if you can see me, I looked up at the score, and I was, like, ‘Man, this [expletive] is nasty. I got to do something.’ And I was just [expletive] with him, and he reacted. I was like, ‘OK, I got to capitalize on it!’

    “I mean, I’m not one of those players who do anything dirty, so once I did what I had to do, I was clapping because I got the reaction I was looking for, I got somebody thrown out, hoping it would get us going a little bit. Still ended up losing by 30-plus, so it was one of those nights for us. Got to learn from it, watch film, and move on to the next one.”

    But aside from that, Drummond continued to show that he’s still an elite rebounder.

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

    The 32-year-old, in his 14th season, finished with three points and a game-high 12 rebounds in 22 minutes, 19 seconds. He is averaging 13.7 rebounds in his last eight games as a starter. That included a season-high 24 rebounds in Sunday’s 123-114 loss to the Miami Heat. And he had 18 boards in a Nov. 17 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

    Drummond said his goal is to lead the league in rebounding. That will be tough to do once Embiid returns and takes a chunk of Drummond’s minutes. He’s currently ranked ninth (10.7) in rebounding. His play has been one of the team’s bright spots.

    “For me, I’m trying to get back to No. 1,” Drummond said. “I’m [at] 10 right now. I think the leader [San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama] is averaging [12.9]. I’m not too far off. The goal is to win, obviously. That’s first and foremost. [Rebounding] is what I’m known to do. So I got to keep putting a show on.”

    Sixers guard Jared McCain and forward Trendon Watford walk off the court during a timeout during their loss Tuesday night to the Magic.

    Same old story with George and Embiid

    A season ago, Embiid had only played in four of the Sixers’ first 17 games while George played in eight. Tuesday’s contest marked this season’s 17th game. And at this point, George has played in only three games, while Embiid has been available for six.

    George was sidelined with a sprained right ankle. Meanwhile, Embiid missed his eighth consecutive game because of knee injuries. The last seven were because of right knee injury management or soreness. He 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.

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

    The Sixers signed George to a four-year, $211.5 million contract on July 6, 2024, to form a Big Three with Embiid and Maxey. But for the second straight season, Maxey is carrying the bulk of the load while the duo is dealing with injuries. The hope is that things will change as the season goes along.

    Tyrese Maxey carried the scoring load for the Sixers with 20 points.

    But one could argue that, for the time being, they’ve been worse, with George playing in five fewer games and Embiid out since Nov. 8.

    A year ago, Embiid missed the entire preseason and first six games of the season because of left knee management. After that, he served a three-game suspension for an off-court altercation.

    Embiid made his season debut last year against the New York Knicks on Nov. 12, 2024. After playing in three of the next four games, he missed seven straight contests.

    Sixers mailbag: Paul George and Joel Embiid’s trade value, need for backup point guard, and more

    George was also hampered by injuries before the start of last season.

    He was sidelined for three weeks after hyperextending his left knee during an Oct. 14, 2024, exhibition game against the Atlanta Hawks, leading to a bone bruise. George suffered the same injury during the Sixers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 20, 2024, the team’s 14th game of the season. That cost him the next three games.

    Give the Sixers credit for handling their absences better than a year ago, when the team was 3-14 through 17 games. But they are starting to fall apart, losing eight of 13 games after starting the season 4-0. And not seeing Embiid and George play is very reminiscent of last season.

  • Joel Embiid, Paul George to miss Sixers’ NBA Cup matchup with Orlando Magic

    Joel Embiid, Paul George to miss Sixers’ NBA Cup matchup with Orlando Magic

    The 76ers will be without Joel Embiid and Paul George when they face the Orlando Magic in Tuesday night’s NBA Cup game at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    The perennial All-Stars were scratched from the game on Tuesday afternoon.

    George is sidelined with a sprained right ankle. Meanwhile, Embiid will miss his eighth consecutive game because of knee injuries. The 2023 MVP was listed as questionable on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

    So what happened?

    “Just not quite there yet [to play],” coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid before the game. “I mean, you guys know that we said yesterday that he practiced fully, and he participated in most, well, I don’t know, parts of the shootaround today, but just not quite there.”

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

    If Embiid’s still not quite ready, why did the Sixers list him as questionable?

    “I guess I would say there was a chance he would be ready,” Nurse said. “I think that’s what we have to do. It was trending towards he was going to play.”

    This contest will mark the seventh straight game Embiid has missed as the team manages the soreness in his right knee. He 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.

    Embiid, who has no structural damage to his right knee, had been listed as day to day. The 7-foot-2, 280-pounder has already missed 10 of the Sixers’ 16 games because of knee ailments. He is averaging 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 23.3 minutes.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid watches his teammates play the Orlando Magic on Oct. 27.

    George injured his ankle in Sunday’s 127-117 loss to the Miami Heat. The nine-time All-Star had 10 points and five assists in his third game of the season. He missed the first 12 as he recovered from a left knee injury.

    Nurse was asked if there was any additional information on George’s ankle that caused him to be downgraded from probable to out.

    “Nope,” he said. “Just that it is reported soreness in the ankle after the game the other night. He has not been in anything since then, and we’re just trying to keep following up with that and see where he is.”

    The 6-8, 220-pounder is averaging 13.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and one block in 22.0 minutes.

    Nurse said the Sixers have yet to determine whether George will miss an extended period of time with the injury.

    “I think we’re in the process of checking in to see what exactly is wrong and what the extent of it is,” he said. “We’ll, obviously, give you that when we have it.”

    Two other starters, Kelly Oubre Jr. (sprained left knee) and VJ Edgecombe (left calf strain), and reserve center Adem Bona (sprained right ankle) will remain sidelined for Tuesday’s game.

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

    As a result, Tyrese Maxey and Dominick Barlow, who started the first two games in place of George, are the Sixers’ only available starters from the opening day lineup.

    The Sixers (9-7) are hoping to secure their first cup victory. They’re 0-2 in East Group B after a 114-105 loss to the Pistons on Nov. 14 at Little Caesars Arena. The Magic (10-8, 2-0) are tied with the Pistons for first place in the group.