Joel Embiid Returns: Sixers’ Core Trio Set to Finally Share the Floor vs. Hawks
PHILADELPHIA - For the first time this season, the Philadelphia 76ers are rolling out the trio fans have been waiting to see. Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey will all be in uniform tonight when the Sixers host the Atlanta Hawks - marking just the 19th time this Big Three has shared the court since the start of last season.
That’s right. Nineteen games.
Injuries and load management have kept this group from building the kind of continuity that championship contenders thrive on. But Sunday night offers a fresh opportunity - and maybe a glimpse of what this team can be when fully healthy.
Embiid’s Return Carries Weight
Joel Embiid hasn’t played since November 8 due to a nagging right knee issue, but he’s officially back in the starting lineup. The reigning MVP has been pushing to return, and his presence instantly changes the dynamic on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, he’s the engine - a dominant post presence who can stretch the floor, draw double teams, and open up space for Maxey and George to operate. Defensively, he’s the anchor - a rim protector who can erase mistakes and dictate the paint.
The Sixers have done what they could to stay afloat without him, but there's no replacing a player of Embiid’s caliber. His return is more than a boost - it’s a reset button for a team looking to climb the Eastern Conference standings.
Edgecombe and Drummond Also Suiting Up
Philadelphia is also getting back rookie VJ Edgecombe, who missed the last three games with a left calf issue. He’ll rejoin the starting lineup alongside Embiid. Edgecombe’s athleticism and defensive versatility have already earned him meaningful minutes early in his rookie campaign, and his return adds another layer of depth to a Sixers rotation that’s been stretched thin at times.
Andre Drummond, dealing with a right knee sprain, will also be available. While he’s expected to come off the bench, Drummond’s rebounding and physical presence behind Embiid give Philly a reliable veteran option when the MVP needs a breather.
Finally, a Look at the Full Picture
Tonight’s 6 p.m. tip-off marks the first time all season that Embiid, George, and Maxey will share the floor. That stat alone tells you how fragmented this team’s journey has been so far. Last season, the trio managed just 18 games together - a frustratingly small sample size for a group with such high potential.
But when they do play together? The upside is real. Maxey’s speed and shot creation, George’s two-way versatility, and Embiid’s dominance in the paint form a trio that can hang with anyone in the league - on paper, at least.
Now it’s about turning potential into production.
The road ahead is still long, and the East is as competitive as ever. But if the Sixers can keep their stars healthy and start building rhythm, games like tonight could be the start of something meaningful.