The Philadelphia 76ers started their 2024-2025 season off on a disheartening note, but have risen to a record of 7-15 as of Dec. 13, seemingly turning things around.
A large factor in the Sixers’ poor start was the absence of the team’s most important duo, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Sixers All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey missed several games throughout November due to a hamstring strain during the Sizer’s time of defeat. However, he returned with a boom, reaching his first career triple-double on Dec. 8 and averaging 24.3 points as of Dec. 13.
On top of this, Joel Embiid, Sixers All-Star forward, made his return after missing seven games in the Sixers’ victory against the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 8, adding 31 points to the scoreboard.
Earlier in the season, Embiid’s mysterious absences caused the Sixers to be fined one hundred thousand dollars for “inconsistent” statements on Embiid’s health.
Many NBA fans questioned whether Embiid’s lack of playing time was the Sixers management’s attempt to hide a complication with his knee surgery that was performed last season or to preserve his health for the playoffs.
The Sixers acquired Nine-time All-Star Paul George in the offseason, allowing them to have three All-Star Players on their team. George has had an inconsistent start, missing the first three games of the season with a bone bruise on his knee, and has not been playing back-to-back games so far. Since his return, he has averaged 16 points per game.
In times without Maxey and Embiid, Sixers’ rookies Jared McCain and Kelly Oubre Jr., kept the hope for this team alive.
Despite the pressure of filling in big shoes, McCain has been integral to this Sixers team. He showed his talent in the Sixers’ loss on Nov. 12 against the Orlando Magic when he scored 29 points and four assists in just 31 minutes. He is currently ranked the number-one rookie in the NBA.
Many fans noted the friendship that McCain and Maxey formed, making the two a promising duo on the court, as they combined for 56 points in the Sixers win against the New York Nets on Nov. 22.
“]The] Maxey and McCain duo is going to be special,” User @UncfrankW wrote on X.
On top of this, Sixers shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr., who was acquired by the Sixers in the 2023-2024 season, has held a key role in the Sixers starting lineup. Thus far, he is averaging 12.9 points per game.
Last year, he was a compliment to the Embiid-Maxey duo and hopes to provide the same support for them and the team on the court this year.
“I’m just focusing on making the right reads, making the right plays, and being in the right spots for whenever [Maxey and Embiid] need an outlet,” Oubre Jr. stated.
Maxey, Embiid, George, Oubre. Jr. and McCain played together for the first time on Dec. 8 against the Chicago Bulls, combining for 91 points. Overall, it will be interesting to see the dynamic finally play out between the star-loaded lineup after a disappointing start full of injuries and absences.
“We’ll change this around,” George told CBS Sports reporters. “I’m 100% betting down on that we’ll change this. It’s on us. We got to control what we can.”
