Joel Embiid Still Finding His Rhythm from Deep, but the Offensive Firepower Remains
PHILADELPHIA - Joel Embiid is back on the court and putting up numbers, but the reigning 2023 MVP is still chasing his full offensive rhythm-especially from beyond the arc.
After an injury-marred 2024-25 season that limited him to just 19 games, Embiid has now appeared in 21 games this year. While his overall production is still strong-he’s averaging 23.5 points on 47.3% shooting-his 3-point shot has yet to return to form. And for a big man who’s long been one of the more versatile offensive threats in the league, that’s a noticeable dip.
So far this season, Embiid is hitting just 23.9% of his threes. That’s a steep drop from the 38.8% he posted in 2023-24, and even below the 29.9% he managed in his limited action last season.
For context, Embiid’s career average from deep sits at 33.4%. So yes, this current stretch is well below his usual standard.
“I mean, honestly, I don't know,” Embiid said after the Sixers’ recent loss to the Cavaliers. “It’s been a struggle.
There's a bunch of things going on, but just got to work through it. It's been a struggle.”
It’s not a matter of poor shot selection or contested looks. Under head coach Nick Nurse, the Sixers’ offense is generating clean opportunities for Embiid.
He’s getting the kind of open threes any shooter would want. The ball just isn’t falling right now.
And yet, even with the 3-point struggles, Embiid continues to be a problem for opposing defenses. He’s still scoring efficiently inside the arc, drawing fouls, and commanding double-teams nearly every trip down the floor. His presence alone warps defensive schemes, and that’s without the long ball dropping.
“Obviously, when you go from-I've had a couple of years of shooting 36% from 3, 37 (%) and to where I'm at, but rhythm is part of it,” Embiid said. “Some stuff that you got to work through and keep shooting them. I'm open, but I feel like there will be a time when I get hot.”
That’s the key word: rhythm. For shooters-especially bigs who don’t live on the perimeter-it can take time to find that groove again, particularly coming off injuries. Embiid’s confidence hasn’t wavered, and neither has his willingness to let it fly when the defense sags off.
The Sixers know what they have in Embiid: a dominant force who can take over a game in multiple ways. When the three-point shot starts falling again-and history says it will-his offensive arsenal becomes that much more dangerous.
For now, it’s about patience. The looks are there.
The mechanics are there. And with Embiid, the track record speaks for itself.
The cold spell won’t last forever. And when it breaks, the rest of the league will feel it.