The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t
open the season the way they envisioned it.
Paul George is still sidelined
after having arthroscopic knee surgery. Joel Embiid, their
franchise cornerstone for nearly a decade, is still on a minutes
restriction – capped at just 20 to 25 minutes a night as he eases
back from all his injuries accumulated over the years and his
lingering health concerns.
Ordinarily, that combination
would spell a sluggish start. For years, the Sixers’ fate has
hinged on Embiid’s availability – when he sits, the team’s identity
tends to blur. But this time feels different. Even with Embiid’s
load being carefully managed, Philadelphia has discovered a new
rhythm, one that’s fueled by speed, youth, and two dynamic guards
playing beyond expectation.
At 5-1 to open the season, the
Sixers have catapulted to the top of the Eastern Conference
standings – and it’s largely because of the brilliance of Tyrese
Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, who have shouldered the offensive and
emotional weight of a team still searching for its full
strength.
A restrained Embiid, still dominant in
flashes
Embiid’s limitations were
expected. After dealing with multiple knee issues the past two
years and a grueling stint with Team USA during the Paris Olympics
last year, the organization is determined to pace him for the long
run. He’s averaging roughly 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in
just over 21 minutes per game – flashes of his MVP form in short,
controlled bursts.
The Sixers have embraced this
restriction not as a setback, but as an opportunity. Instead of
relying on Embiid to manufacture everything through the post, head
coach Nick Nurse has allowed the offense to open up – to flow
through his guards, spread the floor, and attack in waves. It’s a
modernized, pace-driven approach that keeps defenses guessing even
without the full gravitational pull of their superstar
center.
And in that system, Tyrese Maxey
has flourished.
Maxey’s resurgence: The spark of a new era
Two years removed from his first
All-Star appearance, Maxey looks like a man determined to reclaim
that status – and perhaps exceed it.
After going through a tough year
in 2024-25, he’s come roaring back with a vengeance. Through six
games, Maxey is leading the NBA in scoring on elite efficiency. His
shot selection has matured dramatically: he’s diversified his
arsenal with a steady mid-range pull-up, and his three-point volume
and accuracy have both spiked.
But it’s not just the scoring
that stands out – it’s how much control he exerts over the game
now. Maxey’s pace manipulation has improved; he’s reading double
teams, recognizing help defenders, and consistently making the
right pass out of pressure. His assists are up, and his turnovers
are down – a testament to how much more comfortable he’s become as
a lead ball-handler rather than just a scoring guard.
That sense of command has become
infectious. Maxey’s bursts of energy – those downhill drives, the
fearless pull-ups in transition, the late-game dagger threes – have
re-energized a fan base used to waiting for Embiid’s dominance to
dictate outcomes. Now, it’s Maxey’s rhythm setting the tone for
everything.
Edgecombe’s emergence: A rookie already trusted like a
veteran
While Maxey’s ascent has been
steady, V.J. Edgecombe’s start to the season has been nothing short
of meteoric. Drafted third overall, the rookie guard entered the
league with both promise and questions: his athleticism and
defensive motor were undeniable, but skeptics wondered whether his
streaky shooting would hold up against NBA defenses.
Six games in, he’s silenced much
of that noise. Edgecombe has started every game so far, and he is
shooting a respectable percentage from three in a small sample
size. He had 34 points in his debut, Beyond the numbers, it’s his
composure and poise that have turned heads.
Edgecombe has already become the
Sixers’ primary point-of-attack defender, taking on assignments
against All-Star guards and relishing the challenge. Offensively,
he plays well beyond his years: his rim pressure is relentless,
forcing defenses to collapse and creating easy looks for teammates.
And when teams dare him to shoot, he’s making them pay just enough
to keep the floor spaced.
The rookie’s playmaking has also
been a pleasant surprise. Nurse has used him as a secondary creator
alongside Maxey, allowing the two guards to run pick-and-rolls with
bigs or play off each other in staggered sets. Their chemistry has
been evident – a blend of youthful fearlessness and calculated
execution that has kept opposing defenses off balance.
– – –
The Sixers’ 5-1 record could be
a product of an identity shift, and this hot streak could continue
behind the play of their young bright guards.
They’ve traded half-court
dependence for pace and unpredictability. Their guards push the
tempo, the wings space the floor, and their bench has embraced a
collective role built around effort and ball movement.
And yet, this is still far from
Philadelphia’s ceiling. Once Embiid’s minutes gradually ramp up,
Paul George returns from injury, and promising guard Jared McCain
coming back from injury and joining the rotation full-time, the
Sixers could realistically become one of the East’s deepest and
most dangerous squads.
The hope, both internally and
among fans, is simple: to finally break through the second-round
barrier that has haunted them for years.
Although Philadelphia’s early
surge doesn’t erase the questions about health, playoff durability,
and how all the pieces will mesh once everyone’s available, what it
does provide is proof of concept. It shows that this group can win
in multiple ways – through pace, through defense, through guard
play, even without Embiid carrying them night in and night
out.
And more importantly, it shows
that the future of the franchise is in good hands.
Tyrese Maxey has evolved from a
promising young guard into a legitimate franchise cornerstone. V.J.
Edgecombe has validated his draft hype and given Philadelphia the
defensive energy and secondary creation they’ve lacked for
years.
The Sixers may not be fully
whole yet, but they’ve found something real – a heartbeat, a
rhythm, and a pair of leaders ready to carry them until their
superstar can return to full strength.
For the first time in a long
while, Philadelphia’s hope doesn’t hinge solely on Embiid’s knees.
It’s being carried by Maxey’s fearlessness, Edgecombe’s emergence,
and a collective belief that this could finally be the season the
Sixers’ story changes.
They’ve been written off before.
But behind Maxey’s evolution and Edgecombe’s rise, the Sixers are
rewriting what resilience looks like – one game, one statement, one
unlikely win at a time.
