The Sixers didn’t panic after a disastrous start to the season, and they’re starting to look like the team everyone expected when they revamped their roster over the summer, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Philadelphia continued its turnaround on Wednesday with a victory at Boston, winning for the eighth time in its past 11 games.
The team has weathered a long string of early-season injuries, with the Christmas showdown marking just the sixth game when Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George have all been available. Embiid had a minor pre-game scare when he twisted his ankle while stepping on a security guard’s foot, but he was able to put up 27 points and nine rebounds in 31 minutes.
“We got a high ceiling,” Embiid said. “It’s all about us putting it together. I don’t think that was close to our best basketball, but we got a pretty good chance. So it’s all about looking for some luck and staying healthy.”
Maxey also had a huge night with 33 points and 12 assists, and Bontemps notes that the Sixers did the little things well, such as beating the Celtics 13-6 in the turnover battle and making all 19 of their free throws. Philadelphia is now just one game away from the play-in tournament and 3.5 games behind Miami for sixth place and a guaranteed playoff spot.
“I think the biggest thing that we’ve really done is we’ve come together a lot more,” Maxey said. “I feel like we had a lot of new guys. I don’t know how many new people we have, like seven or something like that, and it’s difficult. You don’t know how you want to play. You don’t know what combinations go with each other. I think we’re finally figuring that out.”
There’s more on the Sixers:
- Caleb Martin has experienced shoulder, back and neck injuries since the season began, but this week marks the first time he’s been able to play without pain, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Martin enjoyed one of his best games of the season on Wednesday, scoring 23 points while going 7-of-9 from three-point range. “He’s much healthier now than he was two weeks ago,” coach Nick Nurse said. “The first thing he said to me was … ‘Coach I feel so much better physically.’”
- Philadelphia had success with a small-ball lineup as Guerschon Yabusele was plus-18 in 21 minutes of action, Pompey adds. Kyle Lowry (plus-20) and Reggie Jackson (plus-11) frequently played together while Maxey was resting, and the Sixers were able to frustrate Boston with a zone defense.
- The Christmas Day matchup with the Celtics was significant for Yabusele, who started his NBA career in Boston before being waived in 2019, notes Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He spent five years overseas and eventually became a star with Real Madrid before an outstanding Olympics performance opened the door for another NBA opportunity. “I’ve got to be the hungriest on the court,” Yabusele said. “So just try to help the team and play with a lot of energy and a lot of force. … I understand, also, that it’s rare to have a second chance in the NBA, so when I’m out here, I just try to compete the best that I can.”