News 76ers Team Notes

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Jared McCain details his post surgery adventures on social media

Don’t worry, we feel like we’ve done this before too.

It would appear that Jared McCain has undergone surgery to repair the UCL tear he suffered in his right thumb just a day before media day. The second year guard took to social media in what appeared to be minutes after getting out of surgery to give fans an update.

“Hello every, I feel like I’ve done this before, is this Instagram?” McCain started on his Instagram story, “I feel good, I feel really good actually, I just can’t feel my arm.” Anyone who’s been under the effects of anesthesia can certainly relate.

Jared McCain has officially underwent surgery for his torn UCL issue and looks to be feeling quite good after the fact

via McCain’s IG pic.twitter.com/mjTdHq9GbB

— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) September 30, 2025

McCain was seemingly in as good spirits as possible, reassuring everyone in a groggy state that life goes on and that everything happens for a reason. That led him to breaking into a verse of Lil Baby’s “Life Goes On.” That clearly got him in a musical mood as he spent the next two stories wearily signing songs by Tate McRae and of course McCain’s favorite artist: Drake.

Easily the best part of the stories is right as the first one begins to end. As he’s wrapping up Lil Baby’s chorus he seems to snap out of it a bit and says, “alright, go Birds.” Despite only playing 23 games here so far, he really is one of us.

There was more post-surgery content from Kai Cenat, who I am reliably informed is a popular Twitch streamer. A clip was posted of him having a conversation with McCain who seemed just as groggy. The two exchanged well wishes, calling each other GOATs, and planned to meet at some point in the future. How well McCain will be able to remember those plans remains to be seen.

pic.twitter.com/mad5FBM0pD

— ‏۟ (@rebootjays) September 30, 2025

No matter how many injuries he suffers, nothing seems able to deter McCain away from both the basketball grind, and the content creation grind.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...s-his-post-surgery-adventures-on-social-media

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Jared McCain to be reevaluated in approximately four weeks following thumb surgery

We already knew Jared McCain has undergone surgery for his injured thumb, but now we have an official timeline for his recovery from the Sixers.

The team have announced that McCain yesterday (Sep. 30) underwent successful surgery to repair the UCL tear in his right thumb. The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at HSS, and the Sixers have said that McCain will be reevaluated in approximately four weeks.

Last Friday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that McCain will be out for 4-6 weeks, so it’s encouraging to see this update from the team comes on the shorter side of that timeline.

If McCain can return in exactly four weeks, that would mean he’ll return on Sep. 28 and only miss three regular season games, which wouldn’t be a bad result at all. If McCain’s absence extends to six weeks, he’ll miss 10 games.

For now, as McCain starts to recover, it’s safe to say he’s been in high, high spirits following his surgery… He had some hilarious social media moments yesterday.

Jared McCain has officially underwent surgery for his torn UCL issue and looks to be feeling quite good after the fact

via McCain’s IG pic.twitter.com/mjTdHq9GbB

— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) September 30, 2025

Hopefully once McCain is back from his thumb injury, he can enjoy a long spell of good health. He looks ready to take off in Philly based off the short yet excellent 23-game run he put together last season.

In the meantime, the positive from this is that it at least gives VJ Edgecombe a chance to show out in some extra minutes to open the season.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...roximately-four-weeks-following-thumb-surgery

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

The Quentin Grimes saga is a loss for all involved

The nearly three-month saga is finally over. Restricted free agent Quentin Grimes has signed his $8.7M qualifying offer, closing the door on a lingering storyline. He’ll now play the upcoming season on a one-year deal with the Sixers — a decision with plenty of consequences.

But let’s be clear: nobody won here.

For the Sixers, Grimes’ choice essentially signals there’s no long-term future with the team. Whether or not his production late last season was inflated by a tanking stretch, he still proved he’s an NBA-level contributor. The Sixers, a franchise notorious for mishandling major signings, actually pulled off a rare win on the margins last deadline, flipping the remnants of Caleb Martin and his long-term deal to Dallas for Grimes. For a moment, it looked like the Sixers had stumbled into a rotation piece without much cost. Now, that move may simply go down as a fleeting bright spot in an otherwise forgettable season.

Grimes accepting the qualifying offer creates ripple effects for both sides. He now holds a no-trade clause, meaning he can veto any deal this year. That dramatically lowers the Sixers’ chances of “winning” a future Grimes trade, and limits their flexibility moving forward.

The Sixers’ process here is quite puzzling. Daryl Morey stated on the record that they were limited in what they could pay Guerschon Yabusele in free agency while trying to resolve Grimes’ new contract. The Sixers failed to do that, which means Yabusele walked for nothing when they could’ve kept him if they knew all along that they weren’t going to offer big money.

It’s also unclear how aggressive Philadelphia actually was in negotiations. Reports suggest they dangled a one-year balloon offer, but beyond that, the details are murky. Some will see it as another case of the team ducking the tax. The reality is the new CBA aprons are going to hover over the Sixers for as long as Paul George and Joel Embiid are on the roster. Were they being cheap? Or just hesitant to commit long-term money to someone who might end up their fourth guard? The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

Then there’s the Grimes side of things, which has featured some of the most puzzling negotiating tactics I’ve seen in a decade of following the NBA. His agent went on the record with multiple outlets, offering a rotating list of reasons why Grimes wasn’t pursuing a long-term deal with the Sixers. At various points, it was tied to concerns about Embiid and George’s availability, frustration with the team’s lack of serious negotiations, and even the presence of newly drafted VJ Edgecombe. All of this played out within just the last week or two of his restricted free agency, which only added to the confusion.

Let’s set the noise aside for a moment, because at the end of the day this came down to money. According to the latest reports, Grimes’ agent, David Bauman, was pushing for a deal worth upward of $20 million per year. To be blunt, that’s unrealistic for a fourth-guard type who has already been on four different teams, and especially so for a restricted free agent still unsigned in late September.

At one point, Quentin Grimes reportedly requested $30 million per year from the Sixers , per @ShamsCharania

“After Grimes' side indicated they desired a contract in the $30 million range early in free agency and then in the $20 million to $25 million range, the two sides… pic.twitter.com/HC5jKBTx5W

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 1, 2025

From Grimes’ perspective, the argument may be about a crowded backcourt. If the concern is simply that there are too many guards in similar roles, that’s at least a valid point. But that makes the negotiating strategy even more questionable, since this reasoning didn’t surface until September. Edgecombe, who was cited as part of the logjam, was drafted back in late June.

If Bauman (or Grimes) decided they wanted a fresh start, that’s their right. An agent’s job is to do what’s best for their client. Still, taking the qualifying offer may have been the worst move possible for securing long-term money, even if they wanted to move teams.

Here’s why: if Grimes is traded this season, the acquiring team won’t inherit his Bird rights. Any team already over the cap — most legitimate contenders — would be limited to exceptions if they wanted to re-sign him. Bauman has pointed out that 10 teams currently have cap space, which is technically true. But once extensions start rolling in over the next few weeks, that number is almost certain to shrink. And outside of the true contenders, many of those teams with space are in early rebuilds. And keep in mind: this is all in an ecosystem that actively punishes teams for spending major money.

Long term, the most likely outcome is Grimes landing on his fifth team in five years while chasing a contract north of $20 million. He’ll be doing so after a season in Philadelphia where the Sixers have little incentive to prioritize his minutes over Jared McCain or Edgecombe. Fewer minutes mean reduced production, which in turn could hurt his potential payday. Grimes is undeniably an NBA player with a real career ahead, but I remain highly skeptical of the roadmap his camp is pursuing. At this point, it’s hard to see that there’s much of a plan at all.

It remains to be seen how Grimes and the Sixers navigate what is, at best, a temporary situation. What’s clear is that nobody came out ahead. The Sixers are likely to lose a real contributor for nothing, while Grimes’ path to a major payday just became far more complicated. Maybe he ends up betting on himself and cashing in, or maybe this becomes the next Nerlens Noel story — a cautionary tale of a bag fumbled. There’s even the possibility that the Sixers play him, make him feel welcomed, and work out a new deal next season. For now, though, all sides came away from these negotiations having lost significantly.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...gency-sixers-qualifying-offer-nba-free-agency

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Preseason, Sixers-Knicks: First Half Thread

Sixers vs. Knicks Game Details​

When: Thursday, October 2, 12:00 pm ET

Where: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Watch: NBA TV

Follow: @LibertyBallers

Below are the training camp rosters for each team:

Sixers’ 20-player training camp roster is official. One below the maximum of 21, as expected. pic.twitter.com/VY6ieNHA8Z

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) September 26, 2025

All 21 Knicks training camp invites with contract designation:

OG Anunoby (guaranteed)
Mikal Bridges (guaranteed)
Malcolm Brogdon (nonguaranteed)
Jalen Brunson (guaranteed)
Jordan Clarkson (guaranteed)
Pacome Dadiet (guaranteed)
Mohamed Diawara (nonguaranteed)
Tosan Evbuomwan…

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) September 16, 2025

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...657/preseason-sixers-knicks-first-half-thread

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Versatility will be the Sixers’ calling card in 2025-26

This tweet from Liberty Ballers’ own TrillBroDude has been living rent-free in my head for the past four-plus years.

Convinced that if Sixers Twitter ran the team it would be Embiid and 14 guards

— Subscribe to the You Know Ball Patreon (@TrillBroDude) July 1, 2021

Thanks to the Sixers’ moves over the past 18 months, we’re closer to that dream than ever.

Tyrese Maxey’s resume speaks for itself at this point. Jared McCain was a revelation early last season before a torn meniscus prematurely ended his potential Rookie of the Year campaign. Quentin Grimes had a late-season breakout after his arrival at the trade deadline. And the Sixers spent the No. 3 overall pick on VJ Edgecombe, who’s been turning heads early in training camp with his dynamic athleticism.

Head coach Nick Nurse is eager to take advantage of that backcourt depth this season.

“It should give us an ability to play a little faster for a couple reasons,” he told reporters during media day. “The guards can move, they can get back, they can run, they can run backward, they can run forward, they can go side-to-side. But also, it should be able to keep energy up with some shorter stints just because of the sheer numbers.

“I think there’s some versatility there. Some guys can play combo positions. I could see VJ, for instance, playing some 1, and I could also see him playing some 3. And maybe, a four-guard rotation at times. It’s happening in this league now. There’s a lot of teams playing four guards at once. So I think we need to be versatile enough to match up against those teams, I think we have the possibility of pushing guys both directions.”

To Nurse’s point, the Indiana Pacers came within one game of winning a championship last season while starting a trio of 6-foot-5 players (Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith). By the end of last season, the Golden State Warriors were starting 6-foot-2 Stephen Curry, 6-foot-5 Moses Moody, 6-foot-5 Brandin Podziemski, 6-foot-7 Jimmy Butler and 6-foot-6 Draymond Green. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 64 games last season while starting 6-foot-1 Darius Garland, 6-foot-3 Donovan Mitchell and 6-foot-5 Max Strus together for much of the year.

McCain and Tyrese Maxey are both only 6-foot-2, but Edgecombe and Grimes are each listed at 6-foot-5. They might struggle guarding bigger wings like Jayson Tatum (when healthy) or LeBron James, but enough teams are trotting out like-sized lineups that three- or four-guard lineups are a chip worth having in the Sixers’ back pocket.

That versatility isn’t exclusive to the backcourt, though. The death of traditional power forwards like LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Garnett from earlier eras means that 3s and 4s are largely interchangeable as well. Paul George is therefore open to playing more at the 4 this year, particularly if it allows the Sixers to cram three of their talented guards in a lineup together.

“If you asked me about [playing the 4] 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have been a fan of it,” George said at media day. “But in today’s game, there’s not real 4s like there used to be. And at this point in my career, let the young guys go out and play the wing positions. We got great defenders in [Kelly Oubre Jr.], VJ, Quentin. And then I know where I’m at in my career. I can adjust and play at the 4 spot, give extra ball-handling on the floor, better spacing. I’m very comfortable playing at the 4 spot this year, being kind of a point forward type of style in Nick’s offense.”

When someone asked Nurse about George’s comments, he feigned incredulity about the notion of the power forward position.

“Is that still a position in the NBA? Power forward?” he said. “As the game continues to evolve really quickly, 2, 3, 4 is so interchangeable. So much four out, five out. I just wanna make sure we get the best players on the floor. And if it means playing 4 or 2, however it lands that day or whoever we’re playing, we do it. I really believe in trying to get the best players on the floor, and positions don’t matter nearly as much, I think.”

Trendon Watford could be the Sixers’ secret weapon in that regard.

“He’s a guy that can run the floor, sprint to the corner and finish a layup,” Nurse said at media day. “Or he can grab the rebound, bring it himself, get you into the offense. Great vision. Sees the floor. Draws defenders. Finds the right plays. And then he can score a bucket, too, if we need him to. We like it. I’m glad he’s here.” (Team president Daryl Morey added that Nurse had seen Watford “as a good fit for a while” and had been clamoring for the Sixers to acquire him.)

Nurse said he wants the Sixers to be “a little more athletic, a little faster, a little younger, a little quicker up and down the floor,” which is another area where the guards can help. Maxey, who started next to two other guards in Immanuel Quickley and Ashton Hagans during his lone season at Kentucky, has seen that firsthand.

“I’m gonna give a shout-out to Coach Calipari, just because I played in a lot of three-guard lineups in college,” Maxey said at media day. “Coming from high school, I played on the ball, on the ball, on the ball. And then you get to college and it’s three guys that can have the ball, who can push it at all times. That just really helps, especially when you have dynamic shooting, dynamic playmaking, guys who can play off the catch, play off closeouts, guys who can attack the paint. When you can attack the paint and kick out to some of your teammates who can also attack the paint and kick out and make plays, it makes you more dangerous.”

Unpredictability is king in today’s NBA. When opponents aren’t sure who’ll be handling the ball on a possession-by-possession basis, that makes it easier to throw defenses off-kilter. Maxey, McCain, Grimes and Edgecombe all figure to take turns controlling the offense at times, and both Embiid and George are willing and able passers as well. Add in Watford off the bench, and the Sixers should be interchangeable at most spots on the floor.

Health will ultimately determine how far this year’s Sixers can go, but leaning into the versatility of their roster and experimenting with funky lineup combinations is exactly what the regular season is made for. It’s time for Nurse to let his freak flag fly.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Salary Swish and salary-cap information via RealGM.

Follow Bryan on Bluesky.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ty-will-be-the-sixers-calling-card-in-2025-26

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Tyrese Maxey needs to become a leader in 2025-26

If you’re acting like Joel Embiid and Paul George do not exist, that’s probably good for your mental health if you’re a Sixers fan. It’s just not worth the time to play the guessing game as to when the two veterans will return or how many games each will play this coming season. Unfortunately, Jared McCain is already hurt for Philadelphia, but Tyrese Maxey appears to be all systems go as we are now less than one month from the start of another Sixers season.

The Sixers are going about this season with the hopes that last year was the perfect storm of bad injury luck and they can at the very least return to the playoffs in 2026. With the status of Embiid and George seemingly forever up in the air, the next step in Maxey’s career is going to need to be as much of an intangible as it is a tangible. Understandably, questions have been asked if Maxey’s ceiling is that of a superstar on a championship team with statuses of Embiid and George so murky. If it’s not, then Philly is going to have some figuring out to do down the line anyway. But separate from his playing ability, Maxey will need to carry the Sixers through some of the more mentally trying times of 2025-26 as well.

On nights that Embiid and George do not play, and surely there will be many in which both are out, Maxey will not only have to be the statistical leader for the Sixers, but he’ll need to be the vocal leader. The cast of characters that Maxey will be dealing with on those nights is a group of mostly young players whose roles are still very unknown. With that said, it stands to reason that whoever takes the floor with Maxey on those nights could certainly use a confidence boost and that’s another area where Maxey can help. After all, Maxey himself wasn’t a lottery pick and had to work his way up the organizational ladder to get to where he is today.

The last 5-10 years of Sixers basketball have been rife with disappointment and the Sixers have understandably been the punchline of many jokes amongst NBA fans. But there’s no better success story for Philly than Maxey. Granted, had there been an NCAA Tournament in 2020, Maxey’s stock may have risen enough to the point where the Sixers would not have been able to select him with the 21st overall pick. But one would figure that young players on Philly’s roster can be inspired by Maxey’s rise to stardom and now it will be up to Maxey to help guide those young players in their own development.

The obvious beneficiary from Maxey’s leadership qualities this season would be VJ Edgecombe. While Edgecombe was a much higher pick than Maxey, his personality and demeanor seem to make him someone that would be receptive to teaching. In other words, Edgecombe doesn’t appear to be entering the league as a hot shot who thinks he has it all figured out already which can be the case for certain lottery picks. Quentin Grimes is now back with Philadelphia for 2025 but the situation did not seem to be resolved smoothly and Grimes might not be the happiest player this season. Jared McCain is injured. It seems like there’s a path for Edgecombe to get a lot of minutes right away.

Maxey turns 25 next month, so he’s certainly not in his final years in the NBA, but that also makes him five years older than Edgecombe. It sure seems like he’ll have to pass down a lot of what he learned about life in the NBA to Edgecombe right away, who appears to be a candidate to start next to Maxey in the backcourt on opening night. One of the veteran guards on Philly’s roster is Kyle Lowry, who spoke highly of Maxey’s leadership qualities.

“He’s always known … how good of a basketball player he is, but [he’s] also [realizing] how good of a leader he is,” Lowry said. “And once you put those two together it takes you to a different level of believing in your abilities. … He wants to win, but bringing everybody together is an innate ability that he’s starting to figure out he has.”

Between Trendon Watford, Adem Bona and Johni Broome, one would figure a lot of the frontcourt minutes on nights Embiid is out are going to go to youngsters. Maxey can be the one to get on the right page with these inexperienced bigs and point them in the right direction. Whether it’s Xs and Os like pick-and-rolls that a lot of guards and bigs will work on together, welcoming newcomers like Watford and Broome to the organization, or simply motivating all three guys to reach new heights, Maxey is undoubtedly the best player to voice those messages to other players. He sure seems ready to be more vocal.

“I think the biggest thing I’m trying to accomplish is we need a standard,“ Maxey said. ”Like ‘this is who we are’ every single day, no matter who plays, no matter how doesn’t play. When you play the Philadelphia 76ers, this is what you see. You want to see that team every single night.“

Of course, there’s no guarantee that Maxey’s leadership abilities translate to more wins in 2025-26. The team just might not be good enough to withstand the inevitable absences from both Embiid and George. But this season could certainly be far less painful on everyone if a leader that played most nights stepped up in the locker room to voice certain sentiments throughout the season. Tyrese Maxey is the best and only option for that role.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-analysis/78652/tyrese-maxey-needs-to-become-a-leader-in-2025-26

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Unrivaled bringing 3v3 women’s basketball to Philadelphia

Unrivaled basketball is coming to Philadelphia.

The professional women’s 3-on-3 basketball league will be leaving its home base in Florida for the first time in 2026 when the league will play back-to-back games at Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia on Jan. 30. It will be the first professional women’s basketball games played in the city since 1998.

In Unrivaled’s inaugural season last year, all games were played in one facility in Florida outside of Miami. This season, they’re taking the game on the road — including Philadelphia, per the league’s announcement in a packed Love Park on Thursday evening.

Kate Scott, the Philadelphia 76ers’ television play-by-play announcer, emceed the announcement event in the city that featured Unrivaled leadership, Philadelphia mayor Charelle Parker, WNBA champion and St. Joe’s graduate Natasha Cloud and others. Scott spoke with me afterwards about the growth of the women’s game in the city and how it’s a testament to not only the enthusiastic demand for it, but also to massive organizational efforts of those involved in actually bring these events to Philadelphia.

“There is so much work that has to be done behind the scenes to make things like this happen. It’s not enough to just have the fans demanding it. That’s definitely been here already, but there’s so much groundwork that has to be laid to make it happen,” Scott told Liberty Ballers. “Now, all the stars are aligning here.”

It’s been a wild couple of years for women’s basketball not just in Philadelphia, but nationwide. Stars like Caitlyn Clark, Aja Wilson, Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier and others have been taking the WNBA from relatively-niche obscurity and are turning it into one of the fastest-growing brands in professional sports.

The record-breaking viewership, attendance and merchandising, however, has not come without complications. As we speak, there is a battle raging behind the scenes of the WNBA between the player’s union and league leadership — namely Commissioner Cathy Engelbert — bargaining for a new collective-bargaining agreement. Recently, WNBA players have been openly demanding higher pay and player equity to coincide with the league’s unprecedented growth.

Those factors, amongst others, prompted Collier and New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart to create another, more player-focused league to live in cohesion with the WNBA during the offseason. And thus, Unrivaled was born: a professional women’s 3-on-3 league that promised the highest salaries in American women’s team sports in addition to giving players league equity. The league played its inaugural season last year, paying salaries averaging $222,000 per player for the 10-week season. By comparison, the WNBA’s average salary was around $120,000 in 2024.

In addition to a renovated training facility, improved equipment, childcare and other amenities the WNBA doesn’t offer, Unrivaled provides players with a domestic alternative for earning year-round income—something they typically would have to play overseas in the WNBA offseason to accomplish.

The news of Unrivaled coming to Philadelphia comes on the heels of the announcement made earlier this summer that, in 2030, WNBA basketball will officially expand with a team based in Philadelphia. Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE), the owner of the Sixers, will also own Philly’s WNBA team that has yet to be named. The announcements have been met with enthusiastic support, as there has been growing public interest in the city in women’s sports, from organized watch parties to the opening of women’s sports-focused bars.

“I think I can say this because I’ve been to pretty much every sports city across the country — San Fran, Chicago, Boston, New York… they’re all great sports cities, but nothing beats Philadelphia,” Scott told Liberty Ballers. “People in this city are born and bred here. It’s the passion and how much they love their city. It’s why you see these basketball legends and leaders from Philly coming back, putting in that time and doing the work behind the scenes to actually bring this here.”

After the Unrivaled date was officially announced, Scott and I quickly checked the Philadelphia 76ers schedule around Jan. 30. The Sixers will be home on both Jan. 29 and Jan. 31, with a day off between when Unrivaled is in the city.

Scott’s response to that news that she’ll be off-duty Jan. 30? An enthusiastic “then I will absolutely be there, baby!”

Tickets for Unrivaled in Philadelphia are on sale now. Before the announcement event even had a chance to conclude, over 5,000 tickets had already been sold.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/general/78717/unrivaled-womens-basketball-wnba-philadelphia-xfinity

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers drop final game in Abu Dhabi to Knicks (Go Phils)

So long, Abu Dhabi — and not a moment too soon.

The Sixers, still missing a slew of rotation players, were overwhelmed by the New York Knicks in 112-104 loss, dropping both games overseas. The score looks much closer because the Knicks went to a full bench lineup in the second half. The Sixers will now return home to recharge and then prepare for their first home preseason game Friday night against the Orlando Magic.

Joel Embiid, Paul George, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes, Trendon Watford and Kyle Lowry were all unavailable for the Sixers. The offense was yet again led by Tyrese Maxey (16 points) and VJ Edgecombe (eight points). The Knicks were unsurprisingly led by All-Star guard Jalen Brunson (14 points).

Here are a few takeaways. (Go Phils.)

First quarter​

• It was a good defensive start overall. The Sixers were making crisp rotations and were even competitive on the glass. The lack of three-point shooting though led to fast-break opportunities for the Knicks. The Sixers’ transition defense still needs work.
• Hello and good morning, VJ Edgecombe:

HLY VJ!!!

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixersnba.bsky.social) 2025-10-04T15:23:43.656Z

• Edgecombe continues to be assertive, aggressive and keeps making good decisions. The Edgecombe-Maxey backcourt is already playing well off each other and basically carrying the offense.
• Sixers made as many threes in the first quarter as they did in the entire first game. That wasn’t enough to make New York respect the Sixers’ shooters and the Knicks continually packed the paint.
• Both two-way guys looked solid. Dominick Barlow got another start and made a corner three. Jabari Walker had a pair of nice drives that led to baskets and assists.
• The talent disparity was showing by the end of the first quarter and Adem Bona picked up two early fouls. The Knicks opened up a 31-23 lead to close the first.

Second quarter​

• OG Anunoby was not having trouble hitting threes. The Knicks’ forward started the game 3-of-5 from deep.
• Another highlight reel play from Edgecombe with an impressive chase-down block of veteran Jordan Clarkson.

VJ Edgecombe got UP for this block

The No. 3 pick is showing out in Abu Dhabi! pic.twitter.com/Zi5scWEhNc

— NBA (@NBA) October 4, 2025

• Barlow knocked down another corner jumper off a Kelly Oubre Jr. drive. Unfortunately, Barlow’s foot was on the line, but still good to see Barlow confidently rising up and shooting.
• Edgecombe is missing so many bunnies. He’s able to get into the paint almost at will. He needs to start finishing better, which was considered one of his flaws coming out of Baylor.
• A solid start to Johni Broome’s run first run with a nice little hook shot in the paint and tough rebound on the other end.
• The box score was broken, so there’s not much I can give you by way of stats. Again, the Knicks just had too much talent going up against a Sixers team missing several key contributors. New York took a 59-47 lead into the half, mostly led by Brunson.

Third quarter​

• No Maxey to start the third quarter. Kennedy Chandler, who signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Sixers, ran the point. Interesting that two-way player Hunter Sallis did not see action. Walker also replaced Barlow to start the second half. The Knicks rolled out an entire bench unit.
• Nick Nurse said last weekend that he wants Walker to look for opportunities to get downhill and use his strength. There’s been mixed results, but you see what Nurse is talking about. Walker is an interesting player who could have more to his game at just 23 years old.
• Justin Edwards found Edgecombe for a dunk on a nice backdoor cut. Edgecombe has struggled with efficiency, but he’s also the type of player who will find openings when the team is at full (or at least reasonable) strength. He’ll find easier baskets with more playmakers which should help him overall.
• Andre Drummond three. Again, it was a lineup full of deep bench players for New York, but give Drummond credit for a nice stint.
• Drummond tried another. It did not go in.
• Another nice drive from Barlow which drew a foul. The biggest positive development in these two games is that both Barlow and Walker have looked like useful NBA players. It will be interesting to see what they look like when the team is a bit healthier.

Fourth quarter​

• Another rough outing for Justin Edwards. You don’t want to overreact, but the second-year wing struggled mightily in the summer league and those struggles have continued into the preseason. It looks like he’s fighting himself a bit out there.
• Malcolm Hill made a nice floater and a trio of threes. The team signed the G League veteran to an Exhibit 10 deal. He finished with 14 points.
• The Sixers will return home for a week of practice before taking on the Magic in preseason action Friday night (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ame-recap-abu-dhabi-tyrese-maxey-vj-edgecombe

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers Bell Ringer: Edgecombe, Maxey flash in Abu Dhabi finale

Bell Ringer Standings:

VJ Edgecombe – 1

The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks closed the curtains in Abu Dhabi following their Saturday matinee matchup.

As the city of Philadelphia gears up for Red October, the 76ers continue to prepare for their 2025-26 campaign. On the heels of a 3-for-35 shooting night from deep on Thursday, the squad continued to struggle shooting in the first half on Saturday. At the break, the Sixers were shooting 25% from three (3-of-12), and 36% from the field (11-of-30).

The Knicks’ defense made it difficult for the Sixers in the first half, with Mitchell Robinson manning the interior and the combination of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges on the perimeter. Barring injuries, they should have one of the best defenses in the league this season. Once the starters were taken out in the second half, the game tightened up, but the Knicks outlasted the Sixers, winning 113- 104.

Tyrese Maxey was pulled at halftime for rest, so it will be interesting to see if or when he will play again before opening night. Their next preseason matchup is Friday against the Orlando Magic, then a week later on Oct. 17 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

For now, let’s find a Bell Ringer.

VJ Edgecombe: 8 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 block

Edgecombe appears to be getting more comfortable with every minute he plays on the floor. Benefitting from NBA-level floor spacing, he is seeing more opportunities to create shots for himself and others. He was trusted with running the offense in the third quarter after Maxey hit the bench, where they would outscore the Knicks 28-23.

Plays like this is where you see the value of Maxey as a lead ball handler playmaker and having someone like VJ to play out of those actions.

With time, we’ll see McCain, PG, & Grimes sitting in that corner, instead of Kelly. pic.twitter.com/91g6X8g5Jp

— Vévo (@vevosuave) October 3, 2025

He did not shoot at an efficient clip, but his pacing was sound and controlled for a rookie playing his first real NBA competition. He was poised in the halfcourt when needed, but has a flip of the switch ability to power his way on drives or make an athletic play in transition.

Early on, we saw good off-ball movement in some actions with Maxey. He shows no hesitancy to finish at the rim.

HLY VJ!!! pic.twitter.com/BYq15L2Z2v

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 4, 2025

Edgecombe’s defensive ability came as no surprise as he swatted a Jordan Clarkson layup attempt to the Persian Gulf.

VJ Edgecombe looks like he’ll be a guy in the NBA. Question is, just how good he’ll be… pic.twitter.com/PwAk50Tgu6

— Harrison Grimm (@Harrison_Grimm) October 4, 2025

Another good sign for Edgecombe is that he was taken out of the game after the third quarter in a close game, lending itself to a valuable role in the rotation heading into the regular season. Despite a lackluster box score, the rookie’s intangibles were on full display Saturday.

Tyrese Maxey: 16 points, 2 assists 2 rebounds, 1 steal

Maxey looked fast, decisive and completely in charge of the Sixers’ offense when on the court. His handles and shot-making are in midseason form already.

up & over pic.twitter.com/1NXjG4RrdQ

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 4, 2025

The jump shot looks very smooth, and he continues to attack the paint at the right moments, and utilizing his speed to turn the corner. For moments in the first half, Maxey looked like the best player on the floor.

It should be noted he struggled at times defending Jalen Brunson, who was able to effectively use his craftiness to create shots. Outside of that, Maxey had a veteran performance in unfamiliar territory.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ger-edgecombe-maxey-flash-in-abu-dhabi-finale

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Preseason, Sixers-Knicks: Second Half Thread

When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 11:00 a.m. ET

Where: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Watch: NBA TV

Follow: @LibertyBallers

Below are the training camp rosters for each team:

Sixers’ 20-player training camp roster is official. One below the maximum of 21, as expected. pic.twitter.com/VY6ieNHA8Z

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) September 26, 2025

All 21 Knicks training camp invites with contract designation:

OG Anunoby (guaranteed)
Mikal Bridges (guaranteed)
Malcolm Brogdon (nonguaranteed)
Jalen Brunson (guaranteed)
Jordan Clarkson (guaranteed)
Pacome Dadiet (guaranteed)
Mohamed Diawara (nonguaranteed)
Tosan Evbuomwan…

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) September 16, 2025

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...07/preseason-sixers-knicks-second-half-thread

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Preseason, Sixers-Knicks: First Half Thread

When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 11:00 a.m. ET

Where: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Watch: NBA TV

Follow: @LibertyBallers

Below are the training camp rosters for each team:

Sixers’ 20-player training camp roster is official. One below the maximum of 21, as expected. pic.twitter.com/VY6ieNHA8Z

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) September 26, 2025

All 21 Knicks training camp invites with contract designation:

OG Anunoby (guaranteed)
Mikal Bridges (guaranteed)
Malcolm Brogdon (nonguaranteed)
Jalen Brunson (guaranteed)
Jordan Clarkson (guaranteed)
Pacome Dadiet (guaranteed)
Mohamed Diawara (nonguaranteed)
Tosan Evbuomwan…

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) September 16, 2025

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...804/preseason-sixers-knicks-first-half-thread

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Editor-in-chief mailbag: Sixers are back from Abu Dhabi, readying for preseason home opener

The Sixers played a pair of preseason games in Abu Dhabi last week. Unsurprisingly, the team looked overmatched against a mostly healthy New York Knicks squad in two losses. The team will look much different when any of Joel Embiid, Paul George, Jared McCain and Quentin Grimes — who finally signed his qualifying offer last Wednesday — are available. Alas, we really don’t know when that will be. We’ll see how quickly Grimes can get into the mix at practice this week.

The team clearly lacked shot creation outside of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe and shot terribly from deep, but there were a few positive signs down the roster, including the play of two-way guys Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker. The Sixers will have a few practices before welcoming the Orlando Magic to Xfinity Mobile Arena (still weird to type) for their preseason home opener Friday night.

Before all that, hit me with some of your questions!

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-abu-dhabi-readying-for-preseason-home-opener

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Allen Iverson says he’s 6 months sober as he promotes book, documentary

It’s been more than a decade since Allen Iverson, arguably the most iconic player in Sixers history, last laced them up. Now fully settled into retirement, Iverson is taking time to reflect on his life and career. He’s set to release a new documentary titled Allen Iv3rson, premiering on Amazon Prime later this month. Before that, his memoir Misunderstood hits shelves today, accompanied by a round of interviews where Iverson opens up about his journey, his legacy, and what’s next.

The 11-time All-Star sat down with CBS Mornings to discuss his new projects and reflect on his career. Early in the conversation, host Maurice DuBois asked Iverson why he chose to title his memoir Misunderstood.

“With this book, you’re hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth,” Iverson said. “Misunderstood comes from, you think you know, but you have no idea. There’s a lot of things people have said about me throughout my career. A lot of those things hurt.”

When asked what hurt him the most, Iverson replied, “Calling me a thug, when I know I’m not. [People] judging me off a look. I think that was one of the toughest things I had to deal with.”

Iverson’s path to basketball stardom was anything but easy. He grew up in poverty, carrying the weight of helping provide for his family from a young age. In 1993, he was convicted of “mob violence,” a charge that led to three months in prison before the case was eventually overturned. Hall of Fame coach John Thompson then offered Iverson a lifeline — an opportunity to play at Georgetown University. When asked about the state of college basketball today, Iverson said he “loved” that young players now have the chance to earn six figures while still in school.

“I was them,” Iverson said. “I was the guy that went to the refrigerator and it was baking soda, some water, and roaches everywhere. Like I’ve been that guy.”

Iverson even posed the question to himself: “Don’t you think they’re getting paid too much?” Then quickly answered, “They’re not getting paid enough.”

As many know, Iverson went on to dominate at Georgetown before being selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft. He would go on to redefine the NBA both on and off the court, showcasing a style and swagger that were uniquely his own — and sparking controversy that helped shape the culture of the early 2000s league.

“It was something the NBA had never seen before. Nobody had come in dressing like that — the diamond chains, the watches, the cornrows. Now, every guy in the league has his own style and personality, and fashion means a lot to them. These days, I get my flowers for that — from them.”

Iverson went on to have a prestigious career — multiple All-NBA selections and the 2001 NBA MVP. There’s no shortage of accolades to choose from, but according to Iverson, his biggest accomplishment didn’t happen on the court. It came much later, just a few months ago to be exact:

“One of my best decisions that I’ve ever made in my life was [to] stop drinking.” When asked how long Iverson has been sober, he responded with six months. When asked how he felt, he responded with “better than I did when I was doing it”

“When you get drunk, you’re not how you usually are. The more and more I see it, on other people, the more and more it makes me happy about the decision [I made]. And the more and more I see how the people around me appreciate it — I love it.”

From a human perspective, it’s inspiring to see that Iverson has made positive changes off the court. He has so much to offer to players, fans, and the world at large. Few have faced the challenges he has and come out the other side successful. With books, documentaries, and likely other projects on the way, there’s plenty of Allen Iverson content for fans to look forward to.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-months-sober-as-he-promotes-book-documentary

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Editor-in-chief mailbag: Embiid’s status, Grimes’ minutes, more

The Phillies are down 2-0 and the Eagles finally lost a game. It’s the perfect time to talk about your Philadelphia 76ers.

You all had a ton of questions, so let’s dive right in!

Will lump these three Joel Embiid/team outlook questions together.

Maybe it’s been underreported, but Embiid participated during live, 5-on-5 portions of practice on the Saturday before the team left for Abu Dhabi. He took off the next day, which makes sense, but him already doing 5-on-5 is an encouraging sign, especially considering that was not the case a year ago.

Embiid mentioned at media day that this is a totally different situation than last year. That makes sense. In 2023-24, he had surgery in February, returned in eight weeks, played some regular season games and a grueling six-game playoff series against the Knicks, and then was playing for Team USA not long after. In 2024-25, he had surgery in April — an arthroscopic procedure, not another meniscus repair — and hasn’t played competitive basketball since. It stands to reason that he’d be in a much better place physically.

I’ve been saying all summer that your mental health will be a lot better if you just assume Embiid and Paul George aren’t playing — and until they both do, I think it’s still a fair way to think. With that said, the Embiid news has been encouraging so far. I’m not telling you to put on your Embiid jersey and puff out your chest saying he’s going to win another MVP, but it does feel different from last season.

Given those listed options, I’m going with an extremely tempered version of A. He played 19 games last season under the circumstances I just discussed. I don’t think it’s crazy to think he’ll play in 20~ more games this season. Will he be the same two-way force he’s been when healthy? I don’t know. Nobody does. But I think even a very good but not great version of Embiid would be an enormous help.

I think the Sixers have enough talent — even with part-time versions of Embiid and George — to compete for a playoff spot. Between Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, Jared McCain (who should only miss a small chunk of games to start the season) and VJ Edgecombe, they’ll get enough shot creation and shot making. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re a .500 team this season, so that over/under is tricky. I legit think they win around 40 games. I was as pessimistic as anyone this summer, but I think maybe the pendulum has swung a bit too far the other way. We’ll see!

These are loosely related, so I’ll tackle both here.

Daryl Morey is going to let Nick Nurse do the coaching. Nurse is going to try to win. So, if Grimes is the player who gives the Sixers the best chance to win, he’s going to play. I will say, I found it odd that the presence of Edgecombe was reportedly a negotiation sticking point with Grimes’ camp. I don’t think Nurse is going to hand anything to Edgecombe, but I think there’s a strong chance the rookie will take it. And that’s probably the same deal for McCain when he returns.

I think Grimes is a good player. He can be a starting-caliber 2 in this league. But Edgecombe and McCain have star upside. So if things go south in a hurry this season, that could change the equation. In the end, I think all four guards are going to play a ton. As Nurse said on media day, at a certain point, you just need to get your best players on the floor, regardless of position. He won’t shy away from playing three-guard lineups (and even teased the idea of a four-guard lineup).

We weren’t around Grimes a ton last year, but he seemed to be liked and respected in the locker room. He already had a relationship with Maxey before he was traded here. I think the coaching staff and his teammates appreciated how hard he played every night. Sure, he had a contract to worry about, but even after his incredible March he played through some injuries and tried to be as available as possible. It’s my understanding that Grimes is viewed positively by the Sixers’ organization, despite how ugly his restricted free agency got by the end. There’s still hope on their end that the pieces can fit and they can bring Grimes back long-term. I’m not so sure about that last part.

For the record, I’m not positive Embiid and George will miss the start of the season. Again, it’s fair to assume they will, so I’ll go along with the hypothetical.

Starters, you’re likely looking at something similar to what you saw in Abu Dhabi — Maxey, Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre, Jr., Trendon Watford (instead of Dominick Barlow) and Adem Bona. I wouldn’t be surprised if Grimes comes off the bench so that you’ll have some of his creation ability when Maxey is off the floor. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Nurse goes three guards out of the gate, preferring Grimes’ shooting over Oubre’s size. However it looks, I believe those will be the team’s top six to start the year.

Andre Drummond will likely have a role to start the season if Embiid is unable to play, but I think Bona gets the bulk of the minutes. It seemed like rookie Johni Broome was clearly third in the backup center mix. Nurse has also mentioned Jabari Walker as an option at center. I believe Walker and Barlow will get every opportunity to earn minutes and roles this season. Both players signed two-way deals, knowing the Sixers could use their size and their skillsets. I had Justin Edwards penciled in for a rotation spot, but he’s had a tough summer/fall.

As far as Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon, I don’t see either having much of a role. Maybe if the team is just horrid from three over a stretch like they were in Abu Dhabi, Nurse will tap Gordon and hope he can help with spacing, but as of now, they seem like they’re both end-of-the-bench guys.

I’ll start by disappointing you — I think it’s more likely they use the TMLE to convert Walker or Barlow to a standard deal. Our Bryan Toporek just had a great explainer on what the team can and can’t do with the TMLE.

As Bryan notes, it does feel like the team is hedging a bit. Being only $7 million over the luxury tax makes them an Oubre trade away from ducking the tax yet again, which would be a profoundly disappointing outcome. If the team is in the mix and wants to use it on a buyout candidate, it’s important to note the player they’re signing needs to have a 2025-26 cap hit lower than the NTMLE ($14.1 million) for the Sixers to be able to sign him.

There will be no shortage of buyout candidates in this new CBA world. With these situations, I focus less on specific players and more player types. The ideal type of player the Sixers could use is a combo forward who can rebound. Will that player archetype be available? I don’t know. A veteran big/combo big might not be a bad option if Drummond struggles again and Bona doesn’t seem quite ready.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...el-embiids-status-quentin-grimes-minutes-more

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers practice notebook: Grimes returns, Embiid back at practice

CAMDEN, N.J. — There was a familiar face back at the Sixers practice facility.

Guard Quentin Grimes, who ended his restricted free agency by signing his qualifying offer last week, was on the floor with his teammates Wednesday in the Sixers’ first practice since returning from Abu Dhabi.

The situation grew a little ugly this summer as negotiations between Grimes’ agent and the Sixers became more public and lasted into October. In the end, the sides couldn’t find enough common ground on a long- or short-term deal, so Grimes made the decision to sign his one-year pact for $8.7 million.

Despite the unpleasantness, the 25-year-old was happy to be back and was welcomed warmly by his teammates.

“I mean, not at all,” Grimes said when asked if there were any hard feelings. “I’m here to play basketball, you know what I mean? I try to control what I can control and that’s how hard I go in the gym. Preparation-wise, working out my body, and I leave [the negotiations] up to my agent and the front office. Hopefully, I’ll be able to be back here longer. I wanted to be back here on a longer-term deal, but I’m happy to be here right now and do everything I can to help this team win.”

Grimes had been back home in Houston working out. He managed to keep himself in shape by getting runs in at his alma mater, the University of Houston, thanks to Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson.

So, how did he look back with the Sixers?

“He’s explosive and athletic, and he was energetic today,” Nick Nurse said. “He played hard and he looked like he’s been working out. … We had a lot of live action today and it didn’t look like his first day.”

Grimes’ demeanor seemed the same as it was last season. He has a workmanlike approach — he carries himself like a pro. So, it’s not surprising to see that the perceived offseason hostility did not carry over to the practice court.

The next step for Grimes, Nurse and the Sixers is to figure out how the pieces fit. Jared McCain will miss the beginning of the season because of UCL surgery on his right thumb, but Grimes still joins a crowded backcourt with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe in the fold. The latter duo started both preseason games against the Knicks in Abu Dhabi.

One way to make sure all the guards play is to play them all together.

“I think that’s certainly on the table,” Nurse said when asked about potentially starting a three-guard lineup. “If you throw Jared into that mix, you got three or four, maybe.”

For years, fans have been dying to have Sixers lineups full of guys who can shoot, pass and dribble. This might not be the most conventional way to do it, but it should lead to some intriguing and versatile lineups.

Grimes will be in another contract year, but, to his credit, he’s eager to be a part of such a talented backcourt group.

“I feel like we can just push the pace,” he said. “That’s the name of the game right now. Pushing the pace, a lot of shooting, go out there and try to push the pace as much as we can. Getting up and down, putting as much pressure on the defense as we can and we have a lot of guards who can attack the rim, make plays, make the right reads, a lot of shooting, so if we just play for each other, and try to help each other out as much as we can, everything will take care of itself.”

Injury update​

What would a practice notebook be without an injury update?

Joel Embiid participated in practice on Wednesday. The big man also participated in a live practice before the Sixers left for Abu Dhabi. The team noted that he’s increasing his activity and being evaluated daily.

Paul George is still only doing individual sessions on the court, but the team says he’ll be integrated into team activities in the coming days. Like Embiid, he’s increasing his activity and being evaluated daily.

There were no timelines offered beyond that on when either star will be available to play in a game.

Trendon Watford has been dealing with hamstring tightness. He hasn’t practiced and missed both games in Abu Dhabi. The free-agent signing had imaging done, which revealed no structural damage. He’s also limited to individual sessions at the moment, but is also increasing his activity.

The Sixers will open their home preseason slate Friday night against the Orlando Magic.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...iid-paul-george-trendon-watford-injury-update

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Kate Scott to lead USA Network’s WNBA coverage

Women’s basketball is having a bit of a moment in the city of Philadelphia. Earlier this summer, the WNBA announced a new expansion franchise will be coming to the City of Brotherly Love in 2030. Last week, Unrivaled announced 3-on-3 games will be played in Philadelphia on January 30, 2026. So it’s only fitting that we have another connection with today’s announcement that Sixers play-by-play announcer Kate Scott will lead the WNBA coverage for USA Network. From The Athletic:

“USA Network announced a big splash into WNBA coverage last week, and now the league’s newest partner has its new voice. Kate Scott will be the lead play-by-play broadcaster for USA Network, including the regular season, the playoffs and the WNBA Finals.

Scott is entering her fifth season as the play-by-play announcer for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, but has a background in women’s basketball. She worked for the Pac 12 Network during the 2010s, calling games for current WNBA stars like Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally. Scott also called men’s and women’s basketball during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.“

If you missed the news, the WNBA recently signed an 11-year media rights deal to air at least 50 games annually on USA Network, including playoffs and Finals coverage in select years. Of course, in mentioning a new revenue stream for the league, I need to note that the current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of this month, and things have been growing somewhat contentious on that front.

Regardless of how talks between the league and player’s union shake out, Philadelphians will certainly agree that USA Network selected an outstanding candidate to lead their coverage in Scott. Kate certainly keeps herself busy, also recently making history as part of her NFL coverage for Westwood One. Now, no matter what happens with the club currently playing in the Xfinity Mobile Arena, Sixers fans will be able to hear Scott calling playoff games in 2026.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-news/78850/kate-scott-usa-networks-wnba-coverage-sixers

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers practice notebook: Edgecombe sits out, PG does more

While most of the recent injury updates surrounding the Sixers have been positive, there’s been an unfortunate add to the injury list: VJ Edgecombe.

The rookie was held out of practice Thursday with what the team described as left hip soreness. His status for Friday’s preseason home opener against the Orlando Magic has not been determined. The fact that he hasn’t already been ruled out could be construed as a positive.

Before the Sixers Rookie Injury Curse conspiracists have their moment, head coach Nick Nurse didn’t sound overly concerned when addressing reporters after practice.

“He was held out today. They’re going to check him out, and I think they’re gonna give an update tomorrow afternoon.” he said.

As for the positive: Both Joel Embiid and Paul George were able to participate in portions of practice. While neither took part in any live action Thursday, this is still a welcomed development.

For Embiid, he was able to take the practice floor in 5-on-0 situations a day after participating in live practice Wednesday. Again, that could be taken as a good sign — Embiid sat out entirely the day after he participated in a live practice before the Sixers left for their preseason games in Abu Dhabi. Nurse noted that Embiid did participate in practices while the team was overseas.

“When he’s out there and they tell me he’s available, he’s going,” Nurse said of Embiid. “I’m not checking his pulse every day, they’re just telling me how much he can practice and how he’s doing. … I think it’s progressing pretty good and he’s been in a lot of live action over the last 7-10 days.”

For George, it was the first time he’d done any type of team activity since camp started. He’d just been doing individual sessions previously. When asked, Nurse said he “wouldn’t say yes or no” about George missing the entire preseason. It’s unlikely we’ll get concrete updates on either player until they’re almost ready to play.

The veteran wing also participated in some spirited 1-on-1 work after practice along with Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Justin Edwards.

Spirited 1-on-1 work after practice featuring Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Justin Edwards. pic.twitter.com/A2CeUkO5go

— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) October 9, 2025

Credit where it’s due — Edwards, who’s struggled mightily through summer league and two preseason games, was the last Sixer on a standard contract to leave the practice floor. Exhibit 10 signee Malcolm Hill was also getting up extra shots.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...es-practice-paul-george-does-more-joel-embiid