It took just six minutes for Philadelphia 76ers fans to realize how much their team missed Joel Embiid. Maybe it was the pull-up jumper he sank in the first 54 seconds, his menacing rim protection, or the way he pushed the pace. Either way, Embiid treated the fandom to a remastered version of himself.
The 76ers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-110 on Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Philadelphia’s only preseason win was on display Embiid’s long-awaited revival and the depth of the defensive backfield at full display, two crucial components in the 76ers’ contention heading into the regular season.
Embid is back
Embiid scored a near triple-double of 14 points on 64.3% true shooting, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals in just under 20 minutes. He appeared sharp on both ends of the field and did things fans rarely saw last season, pushing the pace and consistently protecting the rim, two feats that went hand in hand.
Embiid frequently stopped Minnesota’s dribble penetration by turning from the weak side, forcing the Timberwolves to reset or turn the ball over. From there, Embiid was able to corral rebounds and increase Philadelphia’s pace by instinctively pushing the ball down the floor or dishing out timely outlet passes, resulting in many easy transition baskets.
The 2022-2023 Most Valuable Player also delivered his regularly scheduled brilliance in the half court. He manipulated single coverage with accurate ball handling that led him to his sweet spots inside the arc. Embiid also purposefully trailed as the 76ers mounted their offense, giving him a few spot-up opportunities. He read the floor well, used his gravity to generate open looks for his teammates and made plays as a passer.
If Embiid continues to focus on rim protection and playmaking, it will raise Philadelphia’s ceiling on both ends of the court and keep him fresh throughout the regular season. This game could serve as a blueprint for what’s to come.
The backcourt is legit
The 76ers’ highly touted backcourt featured three 20-point scorers: Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes, who also made his preseason debut. The trio combined for 75 of Philadelphia’s 126 points.
Maxey led the way with 27 points on 72% true shooting, seven assists, four rebounds and three stocks (steals and blocks). He was the chief benefactor of Philadelphia’s new, fast-paced identity. He leaked after each stop and a teammate rewarded him with an easy layup. The 76ers recorded 38 fastbreak points and Maxey played a crucial role in the effort.
Edgecombe debuted at the Xfinity Mobile Arena and fans left their seats begging for more. He had 26 points on 65.8% true shooting, six rebounds, five steals and three assists, including 11 in the fourth quarter. He made defensive plays, had success creating the jump shot, and his athleticism showed on both ends, especially in transition.
Grimes quietly put up 22 points on 74.5% true shooting, five assists and three steals off the bench. He thrived as a spot-up shooter and successfully operated pick-and-rolls, demonstrating his versatility. Grimes also provided good offensive defense, which was the icing on the cake.
The 76ers travel to the Boston Celtics in their season opener on October 22 at 7:30 PM EST.
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