Joel Embiid is starting to look like himself again - and that’s big news for the Philadelphia 76ers.
After a frustrating, injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign where he suited up for just 19 games, Embiid has come back this season with a renewed sense of purpose and a stat line that reminds everyone why he’s still one of the most dominant big men in the league. Through 31 games, he’s averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per night, shooting 49.4% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc. That’s a noticeable uptick in efficiency, especially considering he shot just 44.4% from the floor last season and struggled to find his rhythm from deep early this year.
It’s not just the numbers, though. It’s the energy.
The joy. The presence.
And no one feels that more than Tyrese Maxey.
Maxey, who’s in the middle of his own All-Star season, spoke candidly about what it means to see Embiid back in form - not just physically, but emotionally.
“I'm just happy to see him happy again and playing and having fun,” Maxey told reporters. “It was tough for him last year, man.
When he did get on the court, I don't think he was having joy. He wasn't having fun.
Injuries do that to you.”
That kind of insight doesn’t show up in the box score. But it matters.
Last season wasn’t just hard on Embiid’s body - it wore on his spirit. The Sixers struggled, and their franchise cornerstone was stuck watching from the sidelines more than he wanted to.
That’s a tough place to be for a player whose identity is so tied to his passion for the game.
This year, though, things feel different in Philly. The team is clicking, and Embiid’s teammates have rallied around him - not just on the court, but off it.
“He has a good group of guys around him now that we make him laugh every single day when he gets on the plane,” Maxey said. “Even when he doesn't want to be there at shootarounds early in the morning, we crack jokes for him, make him laugh and do all those different things.”
That kind of locker room chemistry is hard to quantify, but it’s clear it’s having an impact. Embiid looks more engaged, more relaxed, and more like the player who’s been the heartbeat of this franchise for years. His teammates aren’t just supporting him - they’re helping him rediscover his love for the game.
And for Maxey, this is personal. Embiid has been in his corner from the start, pushing him to grow, challenging him to elevate his game, and believing in his potential long before the rest of the league caught on.
“Joel had confidence in me from day one,” Maxey said. “So I'm always going to have Joel's back in any given moment.”
That mutual respect is the kind of foundation that championship teams are built on. The Sixers still have work to do, and the Eastern Conference is as competitive as ever. But with Embiid rounding into form and Maxey continuing to rise, Philly’s core is showing the kind of resilience and chemistry that could carry them deep into the postseason.
For now, it's just good to see Embiid smiling again - and playing like the MVP-caliber force we all know he can be.