Overview
- Joel Embiid is recovering from offseason knee surgery and has been held to roughly 25 minutes per game with career-low scoring (17.8) and rebounds (5.4) on 42.3% shooting.
- Philadelphia has opened 5-3 with one of the NBA’s top offenses, shifting to fewer post-ups for Embiid and more pick-and-roll and transition led by Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe.
- Early on/off data shows the Sixers scoring about 1.5 points per 100 possessions more when Embiid sits, a small-sample reversal of prior seasons’ dependence.
- Maxey ranks second in the league in scoring (33.5), Edgecombe is averaging 17.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 39.1% from three, and Quentin Grimes is contributing 18.3 points off the bench.
- Coach Nick Nurse cites added depth and lineup flexibility as Jared McCain returns from injury, while outside voices such as Lou Williams question Embiid’s mobility and the sustainability of this model as Paul George practices toward a possible return.