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

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

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

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

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

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

    Struggling against height

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Edwards’ heady plays

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    McCain’s best game

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

    VJ Edgecombe sits out Sixers game with tightness in calf

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

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

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

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

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

    Injuries have certainly hurt

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tyrese Maxey’s historic night against Milwaukee arrived when the Sixers needed it most

    Tyrese Maxey’s historic night against Milwaukee arrived when the Sixers needed it most

    MILWAUKEE — Tyrese Maxey recovered from a rough performance against the Toronto Raptors to kick the Milwaukee Bucks in the teeth.

    Now, now. That wasn’t so hard, was it?

    In turning a hostile Fiserv Forum into his personal playground, the 76ers star erased memories of fourth-quarter shortcomings to post a historic performance in a 123-114 overtime victory over the Bucks.

    Maxey finished with a career-high 54 points along with nine assists, five rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and five turnovers in 46 minutes, 38 seconds.

    Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey makes history, Paul George brings stability and more from win over Bucks

    He joins Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (March 18, 1968) as the only two players in franchise history to produce at least 50 points and nine assists in a single game.

    Against the Bucks, Maxey made 18 of 30 field goals and went 12-for-14 from the foul line. Sixteen of his points came in the fourth quarter on 5-for-7 shooting. He added six points in overtime one night after failing to score any fourth-quarter points in a 121-112 home loss to the Raptors.

    Maxey finished that contest with game highs of 24 points and nine assists. He made 8 of 14 shots, but only attempted one — a missed three-pointer — in the fourth quarter.

    “Certainly a big difference,” coach Nick Nurse said. “And again, it’s a variety. I keep thinking, it’s obviously a great amount of threes [six] because he’s such a good shooter. [He had] a few drives all the way, a few floaters, playing on top, playing along the baseline, you know, just moving him around and trying not to make it too predictable.”

    Tyrese Maxey scores one of his seven left-handed layups against the Milwaukee Bucks.

    One thing that no one could have predicted was Maxey making a career-high seven layups with his left hand. It was the most made layups by an NBA player with their nonshooting hand in a game this season.

    But on second thought, maybe folks shouldn’t be surprised.

    “I work hard, and I don’t shoot shots that I don’t work on, if that makes sense,” Maxey said. “I don’t just try stuff. Every shot that I shoot is a shot that I worked on before. So I have confidence in it.”

    He and the Sixers (9-6) know it’s just a matter of remaining aggressive.

    The sixth-year player was second in the league in scoring at 33.4 points per game entering Friday’s matchups. He also led the league in made three-pointers (61) and was seventh in assists (7.9). In addition, he was fourth in the NBA in fourth-quarter points (8.9) for players who’ve played at least four games. Maxey also averaged 5.8 shot attempts in the quarter. So to attempt just one against the Raptors is out of character.

    And his 14 total field goals were well below his average of 23.4 per game.

    “Joel [Embiid] definitely got on me as soon as I got in the locker room,” Maxey said. “He pulled out the stat sheet, showed me the 14 shots, and said, ‘This ain’t going to cut it.’ And Joel is normally right.”

    So Maxey responded by tying Hall of Famer Allen Iverson for the ninth-most points in a game in franchise history. Iverson scored 54 points twice as a Sixer.

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

    “He’s special. He’s special,” Paul George said of Maxey. ”Man, he’s gifted. I think what you guys don’t see and what stands out is after the game on a back-to-back, 50 [points], 45-plus minutes, he goes and lifts.”

    George thinks that speaks volumes to who Maxey is and where he is in his career. George, a nine-time All-Star, has played alongside Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers, and borderline Hall of Famers.

    “And that’s what they do,” George said. “They do the stuff like that that keeps them going, keeping them strong, and always working on themselves. Therefore, you always see his production on the floor. He puts the work in. And you know, it’s special. He’s a talent.”

    Sixers Tyrese Maxey (0) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) in the first overtime at Fiserv Forum.

    And George realized that even before signing with the Sixers on July 6, 2024.

    He saw how Maxey excelled while playing alongside former Sixer James Harden. Then he watched how the guard had more added to his plate after Harden was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2023-24 season. Maxey responded by becoming an All-Star and the league’s Most Improved Player that season.

    “I noticed it early on,” George said. “Just watching him, man, he’s got better. I think it’s his mindset. It’s his mentality. And like I said, he works on his game tirelessly. So all of that adds up, and he’s just a great leader. He’s young, but he’s a great leader. And he’s the total package.”

    How good is Tyrese Maxey? He’s now in a class with Sixers great Allen Iverson and other NBA elites.

    Justin Edwards agrees, and he’s also not surprised by his career night.

    “That’s nice,” Edwards said. “Eighteen for 30. That was really nice, 54-ball. But that’s something I expect from Reese, honestly.

    “Just his work ethic [and] the time he puts into basketball, the basketball gods reward him.”

  • Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey makes history, Paul George brings stability and more from win over Bucks

    Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey makes history, Paul George brings stability and more from win over Bucks

    MILWAUKEE — Tyrese Maxey showed how elite he is when he plays aggressively.

    Paul George is a stabilizing force for the 76ers.

    Justin Edwards will get increased playing time if he continues to play solid defense.

    And the ramifications of the NBA’s condensed, 82-game schedule and increased pace were felt inside Fiserv Forum.

    Those things stood out in the Sixers’ 123-114 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

    Aggressive Maxey

    Maxey showed why he’s a legitimate candidate for MVP, scoring a career-high 54 points on 18-for-30 shooting to go with nine assists, five rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. His 54 points tied Hall of Famer Allen Iverson for the ninth-most points scored in a regular-season game in team history. Iverson did it twice, in December 2004 and January 2001.

    Maxey joins Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (March 18, 1968) as the only two players in franchise history to produce at least 50 points and nine assists in a single game.

    “Great. We won. That’s what matters most,” Maxey said of tying Chamberlain.

    But how does he feel about being in that company?

    “Blessed,” Maxey said. “I thank God for it. Anytime you are in a conversation with Wilt, who scored 100 points, you can’t complain.”

    Maxey didn’t have a repeat of Wednesday night when he attempted one fourth-quarter shot attempt — a miss — in a 121-112 loss to the Toronto Raptors. On Wednesday, he passed out of double teams and made what would typically be the correct play in the fourth quarter. In the game, Maxey attempted only 14 shots, which is 9.4 shots below his average of 23.4.

    However, the Sixers aren’t good enough for him to serve as a decoy or a secondary player at this moment.

    Sixers’ Joel Embiid will miss his sixth straight game with knee injury

    Against the Bucks, with the Sixers down 85-82 with 10 minutes, 10 seconds remaining, Maxey came up with three clutch plays in a short span.

    He drained a 20-foot jumper to pull the Sixers within one point. After grabbing the defensive rebound on the ensuing possession, Maxey drained a three-pointer to put the Sixers up, 87-85, with 9:26 to play.

    He scored 22 in the fourth quarter and overtime session on 6-for-9 shooting. He made four clutch foul shots in overtime.

    The Sixers need Maxey to remain aggressive throughout games to win.

    Coach Nick Nurse said after Wednesday’s loss that Maxey needed to shoot the ball more.

    “It was a different game last night,” Maxey said of Wednesday. “I definitely was not as aggressive as I should have been. I got hit in the head, and I also got hit in the quad. So it was a little tough for me. Kind of like pop up and get the ball and be extremely aggressive, as I probably need to be. And we were making some shots. I made some plays and got guys open. So I was trying to feel the game out.

    “But [Nurse is] definitely right. I got to be aggressive. Joel [Embiid] definitely got on me as soon as I got in the locker room. He pulled out the stat sheet, showed me the 14 shots, and said, ‘This ain’t going to cut it.’ And Joel is normally right.”

    The Sixers’ Paul George played a major role on both sides of the ball.

    George’s presence

    George’s presence has been noticeable in the two games he’s played in this season. The 35-year-old, who made his season debut on Monday, provided early offense and made a defensive impact in Monday’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers and in Thursday’s win against the Bucks.

    He finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and two steals while playing 24 minutes, 42 seconds against Milwaukee. This comes after George had nine points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks vs. the Clippers.

    George had an excellent start for the second consecutive game.

    After scoring the game’s first five points in Monday’s debut, he scored the Sixers’ first 11 points while making his first four shots.

    How good is Tyrese Maxey? He’s now in a class with Sixers great Allen Iverson and other NBA elites.

    He scored the game’s first basket by driving through the lane and muscling his way to a basket. Then he added three-pointers on the Sixers’ next three possessions.

    “That was kind of the mindset,” George said of attacking Thursday’s game from the start after sitting out Wednesday’s loss. “I know these guys played last night.. So I’m fresh. I tried to come in, get the boost, just morale on both ends. I tried to impose my will on the defense, and then come out with a burst offensively.”

    The Sixers’ following points came when he assisted on an alley-oop dunk by VJ Edgecombe to make the Sixers’ lead 13-4 with 7:11 left in the quarter. George came out with 6:16 left in the quarter before returning at the start of the second.

    While he missed his lone shot and committed a turnover, George made a pair of foul shots and had an assist to go with a steal in his short stint.

    George did a solid job running the Sixers’ offense in the half-court and provided solid defense. One of his highlights was stealing the ball on Kyle Kuzma’s layup attempt at the 8:30 mark of the third quarter.

    “Listen, whatever it is, to make the game easy for No. 0,” George said of running the offense. “I’ve been saying he’s been doing a lot for us. He might not want to say it, but I know he’s tired. He’s got to be tired. So, you know, I’m just trying to make the game easy for him within the offense, play my game.

    “But also, you know, I do feel like I can see plays ahead and kind of see where guys should be and balancing the floor and just trying to give us the best possibility of getting a good shot each possession.”

    If there was a negative to his performance, it was that he appeared to run out of gas. He missed five of his next six shots after starting the game 4-for-4. He even missed a third-quarter layup.

    Edwards’ defense

    With Kelly Oubre Jr. out (sprained left knee), Edwards made his second consecutive start at small forward. There was no drop-off defensively with him in the lineup. While Maxey and George provided the offensive scoring, the former Imhotep Charter standout provided stiff defense. Edwards finished with a season-high two steals, both coming in the opening quarter. The most he had in a game before Thursday was one. And he did that three times in his first 12 games.

    “I take pride in it,” Edwards said of his defense. “You know that’s what the coaches expect from me every game. So, you know, I go out there and try to guard everybody’s best ballhandler and put them to the test, honestly.”

    While he struggled shooting (seven points, 3-for-10 shooting), Edwards kept making the right plays on the offensive end. On one occasion, he drove the lane and wrapped a pass around a defender and into the arms of Andre Drummond, who scored an easy layup. Edwards had three assists and four rebounds.

    But Edwards made two huge baskets in overtime. He opened the extra session with a three-pointer to give the Sixers a 109-106 advantage. Then, with 2:23 left, his 14-foot pull-up jumper gave them a five-point cushion.

    He mentioned what the three-pointer meant to him after struggling from the field most of the game.

    “It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “But it does bother me. I ain’t even going to lie. I was about to try to do my media-training stuff, but it does bother me. I just got to have short-term memory, because I feel like I’ve made a lot of growth. Last year, maybe college, I probably would not have shot that. I probably would have driven it. But that just shows the confidence in myself. I put the work in. I shot that shot a million times.”

    Sixers forward Justin Edwards was one of the players charged with guarding breakout star Ryan Rollins.

    Battered teams

    The Sixers were without Embiid (right knee injury management), Oubre, and Adem Bona (sprained right ankle). Maxey (right quadriceps contusion) was cleared to play right before the game.

    Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (left adductor strain) could be out for up to two weeks. The Bucks were also missing Taurean Prince (neck surgery) and Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee meniscus surgery).

    But long injury lists aren’t isolated only to the Sixers and Bucks. Injuries have been up around the league this season.

    Sacramento Kings standout center Domantas Sabonis (partially torn meniscus in left knee) will miss three to four weeks. Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal (fractured hip) is expected to have season-ending surgery. And the Dallas Mavericks’ Anthony Davis, Portland Trail Blazers’ Jrue Holiday, San Antonio Spurs’ Dylan Harper, and Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant and Ty Jerome are out with calf strains.

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

    So why the leaguewide uptick in injuries?

    “Anybody can speculate about what they think it is, right?” Nurse said. “I think nutrition plays a big part of it. I think that the preseason plays a part of it, too. I think we are not getting a lot of gamelike reps [in the preseason], and then all of a sudden we’re going 100 miles an hour [in the regular season.]

    “And like I said … on our way over here, this is our third road back-to-back, and it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet. The games early in the season have been coming out of the chute. It’s a heavy, heavy load.”

    It was the Sixers’ fourth back-to-back overall through their 17 games. And the Sixers have been dealing with injuries all season, as George (left knee injury management), Jared McCain (right thumb surgery), and Trendon Watford (hamstring) have also missed time.

    Embiid has missed the last six games. Thursday was the fifth straight game he missed due to his right knee.

  • Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey carries the team, Paul George is rusty, and more from win vs. Clippers

    Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey carries the team, Paul George is rusty, and more from win vs. Clippers

    Paul George’s debut was OK, yet better than expected.

    The 76ers are going to have to live with the Andre Drummond factor for the time being. The center is a rebounding machine but struggles on defense.

    Tyrese Maxey must continue to log 40-plus minutes and carry the Sixers.

    And the team will cherish all victories, even the controversial ones.

    Those four things stood out in their 110-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Maxey carrying the load

    Sixers coach Nick Nurse acknowledged before Monday’s game that the minutes for Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are piling up, and they are expected to carry the scoring load.

    Nurse thinks things may settle down for the duo when George gets up to speed, as they do when Joel Embiid is playing.

    The coach actually spoke to both of them on Sunday. He asked them four questions: Are you OK? Are you playing too many minutes? You sure? Are you looking for some help?

    Maxey and Edgecombe responded “yes” to the first question and “no” to the other three.

    “I said, ‘Because we don’t know when it’s going to come,” Nurse said. “’Get ready to go out there and do whatever is necessary.’

    “And they’re both on board. I said, ‘Whenever these guys come back to help, we’re going to welcome them with open arms. But until that point, let’s stay focused on doing what needs to be done.”

    On Monday, the Sixers (8-5) needed Maxey to take over while playing the entire second half.

    That’s when he scored 27 of his game-high 39 points. It was the fifth time this season that the sixth-year guard scored at least 35 points. He also finished with three rebounds, six assists, one steal, and four turnovers while logging a game-high 40 minutes, 57 seconds.

    Maxey scored 13 points in the third quarter before tallying 14 in the final quarter. But he must do a better job handling the ball in clutch situations. All four of his turnovers came after the intermission.

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

    There’s no denying that he’s having a special season, though.

    Maxey’s 39 points were the most by an NBA player on Monday night.

    He ranks second in the league in scoring at 32.5 points per game, fourth in made three-pointers (50), and first in minutes (40.4).

    What is Nurse looking at in the big picture with the kind of season Maxey is putting together?

    “I don’t know if I think about that at this particular time,” Nurse said. “I think that you know what I talked about before … that was pretty evident tonight. You’ve got to go, and the minutes are going to be 40. And you are going to have to carry a bunch of the load. And you are going to have to figure it out.”

    Sixers forward Paul George (center) scored nine points in his season debut.

    PG’s debut

    George hadn’t played in a game since March 4. Yet he’s been a full participant at practice since Oct. 19. As a result, it was hard to predict how the 35-year-old would perform against the Clippers (4-10).

    He moved well. He got his shots. He bulked up. And, as expected, he was rusty.

    George finished with nine points on 2-for-9 shooting along with seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 21:06 of playing time. He also made 4 of 7 free throws.

    “It felt great to finally play basketball again,” he said. “It’s been like eight months since I played. So it was a long journey, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of hiccups. But it felt good to finally get out there. I felt good. Just rusty, but I felt good.”

    Sixers need to be ‘mentally tougher’ against physical play while improving third quarters

    He played in only 41 games last season — his first as a Sixer — while hampered by various injuries. George was ruled out for the remainder of that season on March 17, the day he received injections in the left adductor muscle in his groin and left knee.

    He was expected to return in time for training camp. However, the nine-time All-Star had arthroscopic left knee surgery in July, which caused him to miss additional time.

    On Monday, George scored a three-pointer on his first shot attempt 34 seconds into the game. On the next possession, the 6-foot-8, 220-pounder was fouled while attempting a three. He made two of three foul shots to give the Sixers a 5-0 advantage.

    Paul George played 21 minutes in his season debut for the Sixers.

    George missed his subsequent five attempts before turning the ball over and later scoring on a three-foot driving floater.

    He missed three shot attempts after intermission. But George stepped up his game in other areas in the second half with three rebounds and a block.

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

    Defensively, he looked comfortable and appeared to have lateral quickness.

    “Yeah, it was definitely a trusting — it was definitely a trust factor,“ George said. ”When I first went out there to see what all I could do, and right away, ‘I’m ready for this.’ You know, ‘I can move, I can react, I can play physical, I can beat the guy to a spot. I can rebound.’ So that was, I think, a huge checklist for me personally, that I was able to slide my feet, stay in front of guys, and just fly around. Be reactive.”

    It’s too early to know if he can be the dominant wing of the past. However, his basketball IQ, defense, rebounding, and leadership could help the Sixers once he gets in basketball shape.

    Drummond’s play

    Drummond is the Sixers’ lone healthy center.

    Embiid missed his fourth consecutive game on Monday. It will be the third game he has missed due to right knee injury management. The 2023 MVP also sat out the Nov. 8 home loss to the Detroit Pistons to rest his surgically repaired left knee.

    Sixers center Andre Drummond had 14 points and 18 rebounds against the Clippers.

    And reserve center Adem Bona missed the first of at least three games with a sprained right ankle.

    The 6-11, 279-pound Drummond held his own against Clippers center Ivica Zubac with 14 points and a game-high 18 rebounds for his fourth consecutive double-double and fifth of the season.

    Zubac, who had 14 points and 13 rebounds, was outplayed by Drummond in the fourth quarter. That’s when the Sixer tallied seven points and five rebounds.

    Drummond even made a pair of clutch foul shots to give the Sixers a 110-106 cushion with 1:08 remaining. Then he grabbed his 18th rebound on the ensuing possession.

    Controversial ending

    The Sixers will tell you a win is a win. And they probably couldn’t care less if people speak negatively about the controversial ones.

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey and Trendon Watford celebrate their 110-108 victory over the Clippers on Monday.

    And that’s what they escaped with against the Clippers.

    With the Clippers down two points, video footage showed James Harden being fouled on a three-point attempt by Quentin Grimes with 6.3 seconds remaining. Crew chief Curtis Blair was asked after the game why the foul wasn’t called on the play.

    “During live play, it was deemed that Grimes legally contested Harden’s three-point shot,” Blair said.

    Based on the wording “during live play,” one has to believe there’s a great chance we’ll see a different answer Tuesday on the L2M report.

    But the Sixers still celebrated this victory. Maxey and Trendon Watford even sprinted down the court after time expired on the final possession.

  • Sixers’ Paul George to make season debut against the Clippers

    Sixers’ Paul George to make season debut against the Clippers

    Paul George will make his season debut Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    His return is not a surprise, as the 76ers forward looked great during post-practice drills Sunday. The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder even wore a blue practice jersey, which is usually reserved for starters, when the media was permitted in the gym.

    He also had the blue jersey on during Monday morning’s shootaround. George previously wore the gray jersey, which denotes a player is in the second unit or out of the rotation, despite being a full participant in practice since Oct. 19.

    On Monday, he was in the starting lineup alongside Dominick Barlow, Andre Drummond, VJ Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey.

    George’s return was delayed because doctors wanted to see substantial strength in his left quadriceps before clearing him to play. As a result, George missed all four exhibition games and the first 12 regular-season games following arthroscopic left knee surgery on July 11.

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

    Monday’s contest against his former team will be George’s first game since March 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

    The 35-year-old played in only 41 games last season — his first as a Sixer — while hampered by various injuries. George was ruled out for the remainder of that season on March 17, the day he received injections in the left adductor muscle in his groin and left knee.

    He was expected to return in time for training camp. However, the nine-time All-Star’s knee surgery caused him to miss additional time.

    His return comes at a good time for the Sixers, who are without Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee ligament), Joel Embiid (right knee soreness), and Adem Bona (sprained right ankle).

    Sixers need to be ‘mentally tougher’ against physical play while improving third quarters

    The hope is that George can improve upon last season’s performance.

    He struggled to create separation and averaged just 16.2 points, the fourth-lowest average of his 15-year NBA career. George also finished with a three-point percentage of .358, the third-lowest of his career.

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

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

    The most significant uncertainty surrounding the 76ers is how Joel Embiid continues to adapt.

    He could be a major X factor in the Sixers’ hopes for a successful season. Embiid was far from his usual dominant self in Wednesday’s season opener against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. But he bounced back in a big way in Saturday’s 125-121 home-opening victory over the Charlotte Hornets at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Sixers takeaways: A will to win, Joel Embiid’s bounce-back game, poor defense, and more

    Two distinctly different regular-season results aren’t a large enough sample size to determine how good Embiid will be this season.

    In the 117-116 victory over the Celtics, he had the look of someone who had lost his quickness and explosion. But on Saturday, he frustrated Ryan Kalkbrenner and just about everyone else who guarded him.

    He finished with 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including making 3 of 6 three-pointers, to go with two rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 20 minutes, 7 seconds. He scored five of the Sixers’ first seven points and nine of their first 18.

    Embiid played only five minutes after intermission because he had reached his minutes limit.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid returned to the team bench late in the fourth quarter against Charlotte after an evaluation following his minutes restriction.

    He said he was trying to work his way back in his first regular-season game since February on Wednesday and figure out how to maneuver the minute restriction.

    “The first game, it was more like getting in the game slowly,” he said.

    But he was more aggressive while being on the court for longer stretches against the Hornets (1-1).

    “Longer stints, you’ll actually be able to let the game come to you,” he said. “But then again, longer stints also mean you might be done by halftime.

    “But I can’t sit for too long… being in shape is one thing, but being in basketball shape is another thing. You need to play, and you need to play a lot.”

    The question is, can Embiid repeat Sunday’s performance against elite competition? If not, can the 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star adapt his game like many great players have late in their careers?

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

    Adapt to survive

    Hall of Famers like Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, and David Robinson adapted the way they played their game after losing athleticism and/or a skill set.

    On the other hand, Sixers Hall of Famer Allen Iverson never really adapted after losing his quickness, which contributed to his decline.

    Embiid was a shell of his former self in Wednesday’s 117-116 victory over the Celtics. He finished with four points and six rebounds in a little over 20 minutes. Embiid missed his first four shots en route to shooting just 1-for-9.

    The 31-year-old also didn’t show a lot of lateral movement on defense and rarely jumped to contest shots or go after rebounds.

    Despite that, Embiid’s teammates praised him for just being on the court with them. He had arthroscopic surgery in his left knee on April 11, marking his second left knee surgery in 14 months and third in nine seasons. He played in only 58 games over the last two seasons.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid struggled through 1-for-9 shooting against the Boston Celtics.

    “Having Joel on the court is extremely important for us,” said guard Tyrese Maxey. “We appreciate him. He has done a lot for this organization … his family, and everything. So shoutout for him, man. He played good tonight, and he’ll always play better. We know that.”

    But not everyone gave Embiid credit for just being out there.

    The Sixers center spent most of his time on the perimeter instead of down low, where his size advantage would have been a matchup problem.

    Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett wasn’t impressed with that tactic and felt Embiid should have been able to do more.

    “We just had a summer,“ Garnett said on the Ticket and the Truth podcast with Paul Pierce. “What’d you do in the summer, bro? What’d you do in the summer? Bro had enough time to recover and just develop. Come on, bro.

    “Real talk. If you get [from] April to September, that should be enough time. … He’s supposed to be ready for [the] season.”

    We’ll find out in time whether Embiid’s lackluster season-opening performance is the result of a perceived lack of offseason preparation, of being cautious with banging down, or of him not being able to do it with the same impact as past seasons.

    But his playing mostly from the elbow isn’t surprising. Embiid did that in the team’s intrasquad scrimmage and in the exhibition game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

    And to his credit, Embiid, a two-time league scoring champion, has embraced his new reality and a potentially new role for the Sixers. He sounds content to serve as a supporting actor who uplifts his teammates.

    But he was the first one off the bench to celebrate his teammate’s accomplishment. And with him on the bench, Embiid watched the Sixers battle back from a double-digit, fourth-quarter deficit to win both of this season’s games.

    Winning a game without Embiid on the floor was a major problem last season.

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

    “It’s been 12 years,” Embiid said, correcting a reporter. “I’d take it. Keep it going. Obviously, the most important games are the best teams and the playoffs. That’s the effort we are going to have when I’m not on the floor, Amen. It’s been a long time.”

    In addition to being a great teammate, Embiid is focused on being a versatile player until he returns to form.

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

    But what if Embiid doesn’t return to his old form? How could he make an impact while Maxey and VJ Edgecombe provide the scoring?

    Embiid can do that by being a defensive anchor, playing a more power-oriented game, and becoming a great three-point shooter. That shouldn’t be a problem for Embiid, who has always had a good touch with the elbow jumper and shot a career-best 38.8% on three-pointers two seasons ago.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid had four points and was a minus-16 in Wednesday’s season-opener against the Boston Celtics.

    He may not be able to beat guys off the dribble with his quickness like he used to. But with his knowledge of the game, he may be able to help the team.

    It’s a two-way street. It’s not only how he adapts his game, but also how his teammates and coaches adapt to him. It’s still too soon to gauge his level of play. Even though he made more shots on Saturday, he still settled for a lot of jumpers.

    We’ll have to wait a couple of games to see how he does. And if nothing gets better, pay close attention to his ability to alter his game.

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

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

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

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

    “Not a lot,” Barkley dryly responded.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Mark Sanchez still recovering from stabbing as trial date set

    Mark Sanchez has called NFL games for Fox since 2021.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Quick hits

    Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe impressed the Celtics’ announcers.
    • Barkley and Shaq weren’t the only ones impressed by Edgecombe’s debut — announcers on NBC Sports Boston were amazed by his first-quarter jam:
    • Amazon announced the Eagles’ Black Friday matchup against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28 will stream for free on its Prime Video platform, welcome news for Birds fans that live around the world (unless you live in Canada, where it will remain behind the paywall). The game will air for free in the Philadelphia TV market on Fox 29.
    • Tom Brady is back to broadcast his third Eagles game of the season Sunday, when the Birds take on the New York Giants at 1 p.m. on Fox. It won’t be his last — Brady is slated to call the Eagles Week 12 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys and the Birds Week 17 trip to Buffalo to play the Bills.
    • Say goodbye to ESPN’s Monday Night Football doubleheaders. NFL owners approved the league’s deal to sell the NFL Network to Disney Wednesday. As a result, the four extra games slotted to ESPN will return to the NFL, according to Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer.
  • 2025-26 Sixers season guide: Sixers outlook, schedule highlights, player to watch and hot takes

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

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

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

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

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

    Gina Mizell

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

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

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

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

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

    Keith Pompey

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Gabriela Carroll, Inquirer staff writer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Delaware Blue Coats name JP Clark as head coach

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

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

  • Seven burning questions for the Sixers season, including VJ Edgecombe’s impact and Joel Embiid and Paul George’s health

    Seven burning questions for the Sixers season, including VJ Edgecombe’s impact and Joel Embiid and Paul George’s health

    Nick Nurse has not been shy about the reality facing the 76ers. That they are, in their coach’s words, “digging ourselves out of a pretty big hole.”

    That’s life coming off a shocking 24-58 season, when sky-high hopes quickly descended into a dreadful, injury-derailed slog. It initially was a version of basketball whiplash. And the aftermath has muted outside buzz entering 2025-26.

    The NBA’s general managers said in their annual preseason survey that the Sixers, by a wide margin, are the most unpredictable team entering the season. That means there were plenty of questions before Wednesday’s opener at the Boston Celtics.

    Sixers’ sights set on season opener against Celtics. And they could have reinforcements.

    How much will Joel Embiid and Paul George play?

    Every conversation about the Sixers’ overall outlook begins here.

    This time last year, George’s free-agency addition to the All-Star tandem of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey was overwhelmingly lauded. Those three appeared to form an ideal 1-3-5 positional fit. The championship aspirations felt legitimate.

    And then Embiid’s ongoing knee issues limited him to 19 games before another surgery. George played in 41 but was hampered by several ailments and had an arthroscopic knee procedure in July. The Embiid-Maxey-George trio played only 294 minutes together across 15 games.

    So the skepticism — or, at least, uncertainty — is understandable. Yet the news surrounding Embiid and George is trending positively. Embiid played in Friday’s preseason finale — and, perhaps more important, fully participated in the Sixers’ next practice. George also returned to full-contact work but would miss the beginning of the season.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid played in Friday’s preseason finale.

    It is unrealistic to assume either player will look like a perennial All-Star immediately. Or, perhaps, ever again, given that George is 35 years old and Embiid is 31. But if the Sixers can successfully construct and execute an availability plan for both players, that would provide a massive lift to their cohesion and potential on both ends of the floor.

    How will Tyrese Maxey respond?

    Maxey had his own health trouble at the end of last season, sitting the final 22 games because of an injured little finger that dramatically impacted his outside shooting. The point guard also spoke candidly about the mental toll while shouldering mounting losses for the first time in his basketball career. He averaged a career-high 26.3 points as the Sixers’ top scoring option in his fifth NBA season, but his efficiency decreased and turnovers increased.

    The 24-year-old Maxey said he is in a good headspace entering the season, and feels more comfortable countering a variety of defensive coverages. He has taken a significant leadership role, vowing to set the Sixers’ organizational standard with daily habits and style of play. He will be the engine that ignites an offense determined to play at a faster pace, whether Embiid and/or George are on the floor or not. Maxey also will play off the ball, allowing him to leverage his speed and outside shooting stroke.

    If Maxey continues his ascent into his prime — and his team is improved — a second All-Star appearance is likely.

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

    Is VJ Edgecombe an instant-impact rookie?

    The third overall pick in this summer’s NBA draft flashed his dazzling athleticism during the preseason. Transition dunks. Come-from-behind blocks. Leaps for alley-oop passes.

    Edgecombe also has received high praise from those watching him every day behind the scenes. Nurse already trusts the rookie to handle some offense-initiating duties and to be a strong defender. The coach also is pleased with Edgecombe’s progress with his shooting mechanics, although those still need to show up consistently in games.

    As part of a loaded guard group, Edgecombe should not feel overwhelming pressure in his first NBA season. But that Nurse already feels comfortable starting the rookie is a huge compliment. He has a rare opportunity to be an instant-impact player on a team trying to win, not rebuild.

    What about the other young guards?

    At times during the preseason, Nurse has floated the idea of starting three guards, or even experimenting with four-guard lineups. Neither idea is completely outlandish because of the roster construction when healthy.

    Jared McCain was dealt another tough-luck injury blow when he suffered a torn thumb ligament in a workout just before training camp after recovering from meniscus surgery. He will be reevaluated in less than two weeks, but whenever he returns, it is reasonable to anticipate some rust after what could be an 11-month layoff.

    Sixers guard Jared McCain averaged 15.3 points in 23 games as a rookie last season.

    The hope is that McCain can eventually recapture what made him an early Rookie of the Year front-runner, when he averaged 15.3 points in 23 games and became a weapon as an outside shooter, finisher at the basket, and backup point guard.

    Quentin Grimes, meanwhile, was a late addition in the Sixers’ preseason after a contract saga ended with him taking his one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

    Grimes has said all the right things since rejoining the team, and Nurse has been pleased with his conditioning and ability to rapidly pick up the new offensive scheme. Grimes will not regularly be the go-to scorer that he was during his breakout stretch after joining the Sixers at the trade deadline. But his scoring punch at all three levels, complementary ballhandling, and tough-minded defense are valuable.

    Is Adem Bona ready for a leap?

    One silver lining of the Sixers’ tank job last season was the opportunity it gave to their young players. Few took better advantage than Bona, who now is in line to be Embiid’s backup — and perhaps more.

    The Sixers recently have been toying with Bona playing alongside Embiid and started that double-big lineup in Friday’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s a pairing Bona said he has eyeballed since the Sixers drafted him. It allows Bona, a hyperathletic rim protector and lob threat, to play in the “dunker” spot near the basket, and for Embiid to stretch more out to the perimeter.

    Sixers star Joel Embiid ‘somewhat comfortable’ in his preseason return: ‘That was enough for me’

    Bona’s offensive skill set — notably his shooting range — remains a work in progress. An even more urgent priority: He must stop getting into early foul trouble if he is relied on for heavier minutes.

    Is Dominick Barlow on track for a full roster spot?

    The 22-year-old forward on a two-way contract perhaps was the surprise of the preseason, earning an early rotation spot and potentially a starting nod. He is another impressive athlete with a knack for rebounding who can fit next to Embiid or Bona.

    The two-way contract structure is designed for players to split time between the Sixers and the G League’s Delaware Blue Coats and limits the number of NBA games one can play. But Nurse said he has no reservations about immediately using Barlow as much as it takes to help the Sixers. There is a full-time roster spot available, should Barlow earn a conversion to a standard contract.

    Jabari Walker also has been viewed as a contender to have his two-way contract converted to a standard deal. But right now, Barlow has the inside track.

    Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (right) and Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton likely are out for the season with Achilles tendon injuries suffered in last season’s playoffs.

    How much does a down East impact the Sixers’ path?

    Perhaps you have heard the East is the NBA’s weaker conference this season.

    The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics are on the equivalent of “gap” years, after stars Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum suffered Achilles tendon injuries during the playoffs. The New York Knicks are coming off their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years but have a new coach in Mike Brown. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Atlanta Hawks have stout rosters but remain unproven in the postseason.

    Can Nick Nurse work his magic to overcome the Sixers’ injuries and lack of on-court chemistry?

    So there is a window for the Sixers to jump right back into the playoff mix, even as such a preseason wild card.

    In-season injuries and player movement could impact the conference’s landscape. It will be interesting to note where the Sixers are at the trade deadline, at which last season they acquired Grimes but shortly after transitioned to a tank for the best possible draft lottery odds. Keep an eye on Kelly Oubre Jr.’s $8.4 million expiring contract as a potential asset.