Sixers Notes: Edgecombe, Maxey, Offseason
The Sixers‘ season ended in disappointing fashion on Sunday, as the team was thoroughly outplayed — and swept — by New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. If there’s a reason to believe in the 76ers’ future, it’s largely due to the impressive play of rookie VJ Edgecombe, writes Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports.
“Playing against the Celtics to now against New York, it was tricky. I was guarded differently,” Edgecombe said on Sunday. “I’m gonna take some time, look back at it after a couple of weeks or so.
“I refuse for, coming into next year, a team won’t ever leave me open. Even during the regular season, I was shooting the ball pretty well, and the playoffs come, and it’s just a different vibe, you know? Intensity’s higher, closeouts are a lot quicker, but I’m going to go in, and I’m gonna work. I’m gonna work. I’m gonna work. I’m going to do whatever I got to do to get better, make life easier for [Tyrese Maxey] and the rest of my teammates, take some of the pressure off some of the load offensively off of them.”
In addition to offensive improvements, the 6’4″ guard hopes to continue honing his craft on the defensive end as well, per Neubeck.
“Defensively, I’m gonna keep getting better, keep learning. For the rest of my career, I want to go out and say I can go guard whoever I have to go guard,” Edgecombe said. “I’m just excited to see how this offseason is gonna look for me, and next year I’m coming back better, stronger, faster, more athletic, whatever I gotta do.”
Here’s more from Philadelphia:
- Maxey had an excellent season for the Sixers and will almost certainly earn his first All-NBA berth in 2025/26, but he struggled with double-teams and traps in the second-round matchup vs. the Knicks, according to Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Maxey is hoping he’ll be able to play off the ball more often in 2026/27 as Edgecombe works on initiating the offense. “When you’re in front of the defense all the time,” Maxey said. “ … it gives [the opponent] opportunities that have the entire team kind of load up. And I feel like that’s one thing that really good players and great players can do. They can be on the ball [and] make plays on the ball, but they can also play off the ball and contribute that way, use their gravity that way.”
- Although The Athletic reported on Monday that president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse could be dismissed, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice doesn’t expect that to happen after the 3-1 first-round comeback against Boston. Still, he acknowledges the possibility can’t be ruled out after the 76ers were swept in the second round. Aaronson also provides an overview of the team’s offseason, noting that Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond are the 76ers’ primary free agents.
- ESPN’s Bobby Marks previews the Sixers’ offseason, writing that they’ll likely be over the first tax apron if they re-sign Grimes and Oubre. Gauging the trade market for Joel Embiid and Paul George to build around Maxey and Edgecombe would be an ideal outcome for Philadelphia, but Marks views that scenario as unlikely given how much money those two aging stars are owed.
Sixers Notes: Embiid, Edgecombe, Oubre, Maxey
The Sixers were swept by the Knicks on Sunday, losing their Eastern Conference semifinal series 4-0 after completing a 3-1 comeback against Boston in the first round. Philadelphia was overmatched in Game 4 and wound up losing by 30 points.
“At times, it’s okay to just say the other team was better,” star center Joel Embiid said, per Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (Twitter link). “… Gotta get better, from top to bottom. Ownership, front office, players, coaches. Everybody just gotta get better.”
Despite the dispiriting manner in which they lost, Embiid viewed the season as a success because of the way he and the team were able to manage his left knee, which has undergone multiple surgeries.
“We came into the season thinking there was not much left…I thought I was done,” Embiid said (Twitter link via Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports).
The 32-year-old continues to express confidence in his knee, which caused him to miss extended time in recent seasons, tweets Bodner.
“I’m as confident as I’ve ever been [with the knee],” Embiid said. “Obviously, that was the biggest concern. I’m not thinking about it, and as long as we keep doing what we’re doing, I won’t have to think about it anymore.“
Here’s more from Philadelphia:
- Embiid said he had complications after his emergency appendectomy, which caused him to miss three games at the end of the regular season and the first three games of the playoffs, as Bodner relays (via Twitter). “The things that I’ve been dealing with, they’ve all been related to the surgery,” Embiid said. “Coming back early, the core was weak, everything was affected. So you’re looking at the hip, the adductor, everything is out of place. Jumping right to playoff basketball, that was tough. But I felt I still played as hard as I could.”
- When asked if he thought about his legacy, the former MVP replied, “I want to win more than anyone. It sucks to lose. I haven’t won anything, so that hurts. But to go home and raise [his son], raise my daughter, look at my wife in the eyes and understand I’m a good man…Really, that’s all that matters” (Twitter link via Bodner)
- Both head coach Nick Nurse and Embiid were complimentary of standout rookie VJ Edgecombe, who was selected third overall in last year’s draft, according to Bodner and Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter links). “That was a hell of an impressive rookie season. He’s a hell of a player,” Nurse said. “It’s not about shooting, scoring, jumping, all that stuff. He really knows how to play. He really has a leadership quality to him. He’s a big-time winner.” Embiid said Edgecombe “has a chance to be extremely special” and hopes to help his teammate continue to develop.
- Veteran forward Kelly Oubre Jr. discussed his impending free agency after Sunday’s loss, saying he loves Philadelphia (Twitter links via Bodner). “I’ve averaged 20 points in this league and still find myself barely getting any contracts…I hope I did myself a good service by being more efficient, slowing down, and playing better overall basketball,” said, Oubre, who added he wanted to be “somewhere where I’m loved. Somewhere where my family can be comfortable…I just want my kids to have somewhere they can call home.”
- Star guard Tyrese Maxey was not happy about Knicks fans taking over the Sixers’ home arena, tweets Bodner. “It absolutely sucks. It just sucks,” Maxey said. “That’s really all I can say about it, man…There’s only one way to put a stop to it: we have to go out there and win these games. It felt louder here for them than it did in the Garden.”
Joel Embiid Set To Return For Game 4
The Sixers are getting reinforcements as they look to pull even in their series with Boston, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that star big man Joel Embiid will return in Game 4 after a multi-week absence following appendicitis surgery (Twitter link).
After being upgraded from doubtful to questionable earlier in the day, Embiid went through warm-ups and was ultimately cleared to play. The former MVP had a thick wrap around his stomach as he went through his pregame routine, PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck reports (via Twitter).
Embiid did not look 100% as he went through warm-ups, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic (via Twitter), who cautioned fans to not expect too much from him immediately out of the gate.
Still, Embiid has been reinserted into the starting lineup, notes Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (via Twitter), and it’s unclear if he will be playing with a minutes restriction. Kelly Oubre Jr., who was questionable with a sore oblique, has also been cleared to play, per Jones (via Twitter).
The Sixers tied the series 1-1 behind impressive showings from the Tyrese Maxey – VJ Edgecombe backcourt in Game 2, but they dropped a hard-fought Game 3 by a score of 108-100. They will look to take advantage of the home court advantage on Sunday to get themselves back on even footing heading to Boston for Game 5.
Sixers Notes: Embiid, Oubre, Rebounding, Game 3 Loss
Joel Embiid remains doubtful for the Sixers‘ Game 4 against Boston on Sunday, Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes in a subscriber-only story. Embiid hasn’t been able to play since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on April 9, but his status was upgraded to doubtful ahead of Game 3. Coach Nick Nurse told reporters that Embiid was able to go through an individual on-court workout on Saturday.
“He’s working as hard as he can to get back,” Nurse said. “We’re just going to have to see how it goes here today and tomorrow morning, and maybe we’ll know more towards the end of shootaround.”
Embiid participated in a light practice on Thursday, raising hopes that he’ll be able to return at some point in the series. Nurse admitted that “he’s just not ready” before Friday’s Game 3, and Sunday’s contest now carries a lot of importance with Philadelphia trailing 2-1 in the series.
“It [would be] a different ballgame having Joel back in the series,” said Adem Bona, who has replaced Embiid as the starting center. “It’s a huge advantage for us, so I’m just excited to see him back on the floor again.”
There’s more from Philadelphia:
- The Sixers may also be missing Kelly Oubre Jr., who is listed as questionable for Game 4 with right adductor soreness, Mizell adds. Oubre played 40 minutes on Friday, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds.
- Embiid’s absence on the boards was costly Friday night as the Celtics collected 15 offensive rebounds and finished with 22 second-chance points, notes Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice. The most important play of the night was an offensive rebound as Derrick White collected a Nikola Vucevic miss with about 40 seconds remaining and fired the ball to Jayson Tatum for a three-pointer that put the game out of reach. “The second chance points is what got us today,” veteran center Andre Drummond said. “I think other than that, we played a very well-rounded game. It was a very intense game, a fun game for us to play in. We get those second chance points off the board, I think we win the game.”
- The Sixers let an opportunity slip away in Game 3 that might cost them a chance to win the series, states Tony Jones of The Athletic. Philadelphia played well enough in some aspects — forcing 17 turnovers and outscoring Boston 42-26 in the paint — but wasn’t able to secure the victory. “It’s funny, the last game, they made a run and we came back and we made every single play and we won the game,” Tyrese Maxey said. “Tonight, we made the run at them, and they made every single play and they won the game. It’s little stuff like that that decides games. Our attention to detail has to be great, because the margins in these games are really small. These are single-possession games and every possession really matters.”
Sixers Notes: Embiid, Backcourt, Oubre, Game 2 Tweaks
The Sixers were missing Joel Embiid in their Game 1 loss to the Celtics, but he is working to get back on the floor after being diagnosed with appendicitis that required surgery earlier in the month, Adam Aaronson writes for the Philly Voice. According to the team, Embiid has begun a strength and conditioning program in an effort to return to play, but he remains without a definitive timeline.
While the former MVP dealt with a variety of ailments this year, his presence has been crucial for the Sixers, who went 24-14 with him this season and just 21-23 without him. Embiid holds career averages of 25.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 15 career playoff games against the Celtics.
While Philadelphia still hopes Embiid will suit up in the first round, it would likely take the team extending the series past four games to make that happen, Aaronson notes.
We have more news from the Sixers:
- Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe have established a close-knit chemistry throughout their first season together, writes Gina Mizell of the Philly Inquirer. The duo has managed to form a playful bond while simultaneously holding each other accountable and pushing one another to improve. “We’re hard on each other, and then we also understand,” Edgecombe said about their occasional on-court spats. “Every time he has something to say, I know it’s always coming from a place of love.” Maxey called the rookie his “little brother,” while Edgecombe said he hopes the duo will go down in the history books together.
- It took a while for Kelly Oubre Jr. to find his ideal NBA path, but with the Sixers, he has blossomed into a more mature, well-rounded veteran, Mizell writes. Head coach Nick Nurse often praises the athletic wing for his ability to fill whatever role is needed, which Nurse said is crucial, especially given the lineup inconsistency the team has dealt with over the last couple of years.
- After losing Game 1 to Boston by 32 points in a game they never led, the Sixers will need to make some adjustments if they want a chance to steal a game on the road, Aaronson writes. Cutting down on unforced errors, especially communication breakdowns on defense that lead to open looks for Celtics shooters, will be paramount. The team also needs either Edgecombe or Paul George to step up and take the role of secondary scorer behind Maxey. George told Maxey after Game 1 that the Sixers hadn’t made the Celtics feel like it was a playoff game, allowing them to get into a rhythm early and not doing anything to make them uncomfortable, according to Tony Jones at The Athletic.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Atlantic Division
For the rest of the regular season and postseason, Hoops Rumors is taking a closer look at players who will be free agents – or could become free agents – during the 2026 offseason. We’ll consider whether each player’s stock is rising or falling due to his performance and several other factors.
Today, we’re focusing on a handful of players in the Atlantic Division, starting with a former second-round pick having a breakout season.
Injury Notes: Oubre, Maxey, Edwards, Brown, Lakers, Jazz, Suns
After missing the Sixers‘ last eight games due to a left elbow sprain, forward Kelly Oubre Jr. said today that he’ll be back in action on Saturday in Charlotte, tweets Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports.
With Paul George and Joel Embiid both having returned earlier this week, Philadelphia is close to being back to full strength — only star guard Tyrese Maxey, out since March 7 due to a finger injury, remains sidelined, and he’s due to be reevaluated in the coming days.
Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters on Friday that Maxey has been “a lot more involved” in activities during the past 48 hours, tweets Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports. Nurse added that Maxey has been diligent about keeping up his conditioning during his recovery process, which suggests he shouldn’t require much of a ramp-up period.
Here are a few more injury updates from around the NBA:
- Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome) will miss a sixth straight game on Saturday vs. Detroit, per the team (Twitter link). However, Edwards has been cleared for on-court practice activities, according to the Wolves, which suggests his return may not be far off. In order to meet the 65-game minimum to qualify for end-of-season awards, Edwards would have to suit up for each of Minnesota’s final eight games of the season, beginning on Monday.
- Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been ruled out for Friday’s game vs. Atlanta due to left Achilles tendinitis, the team announced (via Twitter). Brown, an All-NBA lock, needs to appear in one more game to reach the 65-game threshold and become eligible for end-of-season awards.
- Lakers teammates Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Rui Hachimura (calf) have both been upgraded to available after initially being listed as questionable for Friday’s matchup with the Nets, tweets NBA reporter Mark Medina.
- Although Jaren Jackson Jr. is still expected to miss the rest of the season, he’s making good progress in his recovery from a procedure to remove a non-cancerous growth in his left knee. He has resumed individual on-court work and will be reevaluated in two weeks, writes Kevin Reynolds of The Salt Lake Tribune. Reynolds also checks in on a few other injured Jazz players, suggesting that forward Lauri Markkanen (hip) and Keyonte George (hamstring) could still return before the end of the season.
- Injured Suns Dillon Brooks (hand) and Mark Williams (foot) are making progress in their respective injury recoveries, but they’ve yet to participate in any 5-on-5 work, head coach Jordan Ott said today (Twitter link via Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic).
Kelly Oubre (Elbow) To Be Reevaluated In Two Weeks
Kelly Oubre Jr. has been diagnosed with a sprain of the lateral collateral ligament in his left elbow, the Sixers announced today. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Oubre suffered the injury during Tuesday’s game against the Grizzlies, Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports notes (via Twitter). It was an otherwise memorable night for the 6’8″ wing, who recorded his season highs in points (30) and rebounds (12) vs. Memphis.
The Sixers are already without Joel Embiid (oblique strain), Paul George (suspension), and Tyrese Maxey (finger tendon injury) as they look to fight to stay in the playoff race. They are currently 1.5 games out of fifth place but only one game ahead of the No. 9 Hawks.
Oubre is averaging 14.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season while starting 36 of the 41 contests he has played in.
Dalen Terry, Trendon Watford, Jabari Walker, and Justin Edwards are among the candidates for increased minutes with Oubre sidelined.
Sixers Rule Out Joel Embiid For Another Week
Sixers center Joel Embiid, who has missed the past three games due to a strained right oblique, will likely miss at least four more contests as a result of the injury, as Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice relays.
According to Aaronson, the 76ers announced today that Embiid didn’t participate in Friday’s practice and has yet to do any on-court work following his latest injury. The plan is for him to be reevaluated in about one week, which would mean he’ll be out for games on Saturday in Atlanta, Monday in Cleveland, and Tuesday vs. Memphis — and probably Thursday in Detroit too.
Embiid has been limited to 33 games this season due to various ailments affecting his knee, ankle, shin, and oblique. While he hasn’t recaptured his old MVP form in the games he has played, he has looked better than he did last season, averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 31.2 minutes per night, with a .495/.318/.858 shooting line.
Philadelphia offered a couple more injury updates on Friday, per Aaronson, announcing that forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is expected to return to action on Saturday after missing two games due to an illness and indicating that rookie guard VJ Edgecombe didn’t practice on Friday.
Edgecombe exited Tuesday’s game vs. San Antonio early due to a lumbar contusion and sat out on Wednesday vs. Utah. While the team hasn’t clarified his status for Saturday’s contest, the fact that he didn’t take part in Friday’s practice probably doesn’t bode well for his availability.
Embiid Hopes Sixers Don’t Prioritize Ducking Tax
At the 2024 trade deadline, the Sixers traded Danuel House and Jaden Springer in order to dip below the luxury tax line. They took a similar approach in 2025, getting out of tax territory by making deals involving Caleb Martin and KJ Martin.
Philadelphia is operating roughly $7MM above the tax line this season and there has been speculation the team will once again be looking to make cost-cutting moves at the deadline, but star center Joel Embiid suggested on Thursday that he’s hopeful the front office won’t go that route, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required).
“We’ve been ducking the tax the last couple of years,” Embiid said (Twitter video link via Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports). “So hopefully we keep the same team. I love all of the guys that are in here. I think we got a shot.
“I don’t know what (the front office is) going to do. But I hope that we get a chance to go out there and compete because we got a good group of guys in this locker room, and the vibes are great. … Hopefully we think about improving because we have a chance.”
Expectations were modest for the Sixers this season after they battled a bevy of injuries and won just 24 games in 2024/25. But the club has already exceeded that win total through its first 47 games, with Embiid and Paul George playing more frequently, Tyrese Maxey ascending to a new level of stardom, and lottery pick VJ Edgecombe emerging immediately as a reliable starter. At 26-21, Philadelphia currently holds the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The 76ers could move below the luxury tax line by trading either Quentin Grimes ($8.74MM) or Kelly Oubre Jr. ($8.38MM), who are on expiring contracts. However, both players have been important parts of the team’s rotation, and sources tell ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst that the team isn’t pursuing a salary-dump deal involving either player.
Philadelphia is reportedly open to trading reserve center Andre Drummond, but moving his $5MM expiring contract wouldn’t be enough to get the club out of the tax. Even dealing Drummond and a second player who is earning the veteran’s minimum (say, Eric Gordon) would offer only a temporary reprieve, since doing so would drop the Sixers to just 12 players on standard contracts. They’d have to get back to the league-mandated minimum of 14 within two weeks, which would put them back into tax territory.
Getting out of the tax would be a financial boon for ownership — besides eliminating a $7.5MM tax bill, it would make the team eligible for an eight-figure payment at season’s end from the league-wide luxury tax pool. But after having spent the last two seasons as a non-taxpayer, the Sixers have successfully reset their repeater clock, so they shouldn’t feel as much urgency as they did in 2024 or 2025 to shed salary.