Overview
- Cleared to return, Embiid logged an early stint against the Celtics that showed noticeably limited elevation, renewing questions about his explosiveness.
- Social media clips of the sequence spread quickly, with some fans questioning his knees and even urging retirement in reactive posts.
- Shaquille O’Neal said on his podcast that Embiid is off his list of top bigs, called him soft, and asserted Nikola Jokic is now far ahead.
- Maxey carries expanded leadership duties to start the season, with rookie VJ Edgecombe slated for significant minutes while key teammates recover.
- Philadelphia is coming off a 24–58 season that snapped a seven-year playoff streak, underscoring how health will shape the team’s outlook.