The Philadelphia 76ers had a strong start to the 2025-26 NBA season on Wednesday with a 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics. Fans were excited to see Joel Embiid in action after he had appeared in just 19 games the previous campaign. He was shut down by the 76ers last season and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. For this reason, the supporters eagerly awaited his comeback.
However, he ended the game with just four points in 20 minutes of action. Embiid struggled to shoot well on the floor, only making 11.1% of his attempts from the floor. He didn’t look like he was 100% ready, but the 76ers still had him on the floor for some time.
The majority of the supporters who critiqued his playing asked him to retire. Embiid still has what it takes to succeed in the NBA, though, according to head coach Nick Nurse. The coach had high praise for the 2023 MVP and defended him from the criticism he received.
“Well, I’m super happy he was out there,” Nurse said. “I think that he played good. I know that’s gonna sound silly. 1-for-9. He just didn’t shoot it very good. I thought he transferred the ball good. I thought he made some good decisions. I thought he took good shots. I thought he protected the rim. So, again, that’s, like, he hasn’t done much, right? He played a scrimmage and a preseason game. I think there’s some rust there, but I thought he was moving good and made good decisions which is really positive.”
Fortunately for the 76ers, All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey led the team with his 40-point outing. Rookie guard V.J. Edgecombe also had 34 points in his NBA debut.
Joe Johnson gives a hot take about Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is a major source of worry, particularly in light of his performance against the Celtics. In the latest episode of “Nightcap,” former NBA star Joe Johnson expressed his worry about the physical state of Embiid.
According to Johnson, the big man lacks the necessary explosiveness to be effective on the floor. It became evident on the 76ers’ Opening Night.
“Embiid look like he laboring man. I know he went 1-9 but he don’t look explosive any more,” Johnson said. “His body does look good, he look like he is in shape, he just doesn’t look explosive.”
The player who caught Johnson’s attention was Edgecombe, who looked like an experienced professional in his first official game.
“He is in elite shape, he’s an elite athlete, and he’s gonna be perfect for the Sixers,” the former NBA star said.
With Joel Embiid still recovering and finding his groove, the 76ers can rely and the young backcourt of Edgecombe and Maxey.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
