The 76ers’ first two games have already sent a clear message: this group is going to be a problem.
Philadelphia opened the season by beating the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the early look at the starting five has only reinforced that idea. Then came Thursday night, when the Sixers pulled off something they had never done before in franchise history - they erased a 29-point deficit.
“On a team laden with stars, Maxey was the conductor of this raucous Philadelphia crowd, which followed his lead all night as the Sixers roared back to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106. The 29-point comeback was the Cavaliers' largest blown lead and the Sixers' largest comeback in the play-by-play era. It was also the largest comeback of James' 24-year career,” ESPN’s Kris Rhim wrote.
Even with that kind of start, Philadelphia is being careful with its top players. Joel Embiid and LeBron James are both working under minutes restrictions early in the season as the team tries to manage their workloads after recent injury issues.
“My understanding is Lebron James, Joel Embiid - the hope is within the first few weeks of the season limit them to around 30 minutes a game,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
That caution is already carrying into the back-to-back set this weekend. The 76ers will face the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, and Embiid has made it clear he won’t be available for both.
“I’m not playing both games. I’m playing in 1 of them,” Embiid said.
James is expected to be handled the same way, though which game each player sits out still isn’t known. The coaching staff now has to map out the weekend carefully, and there’s at least a chance the two stars could miss different games.
If that happens, James could be asked to play center if Embiid is out, given Philadelphia’s lack of depth at the position. It’s a scenario that would make sense, and the answer should come soon.
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Pistons Fast Start Just Took A Jalen Duren Concern Fans Feared
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Duren had been active before the setback, putting up four points, six rebounds and three assists in 10 minutes while giving the Pistons a solid presence inside. For a team leaning on its frontcourt to set the tone early, the next update on Duren matters plenty, especially with Detroit looking to turn a strong opening into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Former Bucks Guard Malik Beasley Faces New Questions About His NBA Future
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The case carries obvious weight for a player whose name has already been linked to a broader investigation involving former NBA player Ed Davis and other defendants. The indictment alleges Beasley manipulated performances to benefit gamblers, a serious accusation that hangs over any discussion of where his career goes next and whether an NBA team would be willing to take on that uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]