Philadelphia 76ers

An NBA executive believes Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has a tendency to act "entitled," according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst.

The executive was responding to Bontemps and Windhorst's question about which players have had disappointing first halves to the 2024-25 season.

"Embiid has a lot of bad injury luck and plays through pain so you feel sympathy for him for that. But sometimes he acts so entitled that it goes away," the executive said.

The Sixers won just three of the first 17 games of the season while dealing with periodic absences from Embiid and Paul George.

The 76ers have since improved to 15-20, although Embiid has still only played 13 games. He has missed time with left knee soreness following last season's surgery, in addition to a sinus fracture and a foot sprain.

Embiid was also suspended for three games after "shoving a member of the media," per the NBA, during postgame media availability in November.

Friction within the 76ers locker room made headlines in late November when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Tyrese Maxey had called out Embiid for being late to team activities in a postgame meeting. Embiid later called out the person who leaked the story to Charania.

Embiid is currently sidelined with a left foot sprain. He returned to practice on Thursday, but is set to miss a third straight game when the 76ers take on the New Orleans Pelicans at home on Friday night.

Jared McCain's tremendous rookie season has come to an end.

The Philadelphia 76ers announced Thursday that McCain would miss the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign after undergoing meniscus surgery on his knee, via Sixers Wire's Ky Carlin.

McCain played just 23 games before suffering the injury in early December.

McCain, the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft out of Duke, was off to an outstanding start for the Sixers, averaging 15.3 points per game on an efficient 38.3 percent from deep. He had four 25-point games and led all rookies in three-pointers made at the time of his injury.

He suffered the lateral meniscus tear against the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 13 and was, at the time, one of just three players who had played in all of the 76ers games.

Philadelphia, which was 7-16 at the time of McCain's injury, has started to turn things around thanks to stars Joel Embiid and Paul George being on the court more often. The 76ers are currently 15-20 with Tyrese Maxey, who is putting up 25.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, leading the way.

Even though the Sixers have broken out of their early-season slump, they sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and still have a hole to climb out of to get into playoff position. That task will be much more difficult without their star rookie.

While McCain's rookie season ended prematurely, he showed flashes of greatness through his limited action and the future is bright with him in Philadelphia. Until his return, the 76ers will lean on their veterans in Embiid and George as well as their young star in Maxey.

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid delivered a dominant performance during Saturday's game against the Ben Simmons-less Brooklyn Nets.

Embiid's double-double, featuring 28 points and 12 rebounds, powered the 76ers to a commanding 123-94 victory on the road at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Joel Embiid vs. Nets 🍿🍿🍿

28 PTS | 12 REB | 6 AST | V🌟TE: https://t.co/MkbjLhykqa@PALottery pic.twitter.com/MmbvNyTtiW

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 5, 2025

Although fans were eager for a showdown between the 76ers and their former star Simmons, who missed Saturday's game due to left calf soreness, Embiid provided enough entertainment in just three quarters and thrilled them with his dominant performance:

Joel Embiid over his last 5 games:

28 PTS - 12 REB - 6 AST
28 PTS - 14 REB - 2 AST
37 PTS - 9 REB - 3 AST
32 PTS - 5 REB - 4 AST
27 PTS - 9 REB - 2 AST

(Via @realapp_ ) pic.twitter.com/Wd0JW9ioVH

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 5, 2025

Joel Embiid tonight:

28 Points
12 Rebounds
6 Assists
50% FG

Only 29 Minutes pic.twitter.com/uGIBerPiNn

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 5, 2025

Joel Embiid in only 3 quarters tonight

28 PTS
12 REB
5 AST
+22

💪💪💪 #TheProcess pic.twitter.com/CmpiwYl7a5

— Prez💊 ‘ (@PresidentEmbiid) January 5, 2025

Joel Embiid has the 6th most 25/10/5 games by a center in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/WNg8FvDEjv

— Real Sports (@realapp_) January 5, 2025

Sixers baby beat up the Nets in Brooklyn tonight! Joel Embiid was ballin and so was the whole team! That’s Sixers basketball there! Get the Suns Monday Night back home in Philly! Go Sixers!#MadeForThis ❤️💙🏀

— Devin Valentine (@DevinValentine3) January 5, 2025

https://twitter.com/snr_mixii/status/1875696523511795745

Joel Embiid tonight
28 PTS / 12 REB / 6 AST / 8-16 FG

Tyrese Maxey tonight
18 PTS / 7 AST / 5-12 FG / 6-7 FT

Paul George tonight
17 PTS / 6 AST / 2 STL / 6-14 FG pic.twitter.com/uDUm8fTlq7

— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) January 5, 2025

JOEL EMBIID! In just three quarters, Joel Embiid dropped an EASY 28 PTS, 12 REB, & 6 AST in Philadelphia’s 123-94 blowout WIN over Brooklyn! 🪣

📊 28 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST, 8/16 FGM, 2/3 3PM, 29 MIN, WIN

Embiid is looking great recently ‼️ pic.twitter.com/wqK4ucvFmI

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) January 5, 2025

What a great first quarter from Joel Embiid. Looks better and better as each day passes

15 Points
6/9 FG
1/1 3PT
7 Rebounds
2 Assists

— J🐐 (@SixersJustin) January 4, 2025

With the victory the 76ers jumped to 14-19 on the season as the struggling Nets fell to 13-22.

Paul George supported Embiid with an impressive performance, finishing with 17 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals. Tyrese Maxey added to the effort with 18 points and seven assists.

On the other side of the court, Ziaire Williams, posted 19 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Newly-acquired Nets guard D'Angelo Russell contributed five points, starting the scoring for both teams with a 27-foot three-pointer. He played just 14 minutes before exiting the game with a right shin contusion.

The Nets opened the game with an 11-0 run, but it wasn't indicative of how the rest of the game would unfold, as the 76ers roared back to secure a 29-19 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Joel Embiid clears the way and slams it through 💪

He has 12 PTS & 6 REB in Q1 🌡️👀 pic.twitter.com/5rsKBqSsKH

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 4, 2025

Philadelphia's Caleb Martin took charge in the second quarter, scoring eight points to help the 76ers extend their lead to 64-47 heading into halftime.

The Nets managed just 47 points in the second half as the 76ers maintained their momentum to secure a commanding blowout victory.

On Monday the 76ers will face the Phoenix Suns at home.

Former NBA superstar Dwight Howard threw a bit of shade at Joel Embiid, his old teammate, while praising the Philadelphia 76ers center.

"Joel Embiid, he is probably the toughest to guard because he knows how to flop," Howard said during a Thursday appearance on the Thanalysis Show (h/t HoopsHype). "He knows how to use his size and his strength when he has to. He can shoot real well. If I was checking him, I would have to beat him up and down the court, not let him get easy points, don't go for no pump fakes."

"Embiid is one of those unicorns," he added.

Howard is certainly qualified to speak on the topic, as the eight-time All-Star is the only player in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award in three consecutive seasons.

He achieved the feat from 2009-11, anchoring the defense of an Orlando Magic team that made a trip to the NBA Finals in 2009. While Howard gradually transitioned to a bench role as his career progressed before he was teammates with Embiid on the 76ers during their 2020-21 campaign, he still ranks No. 13 on the association's all-time blocks list.

As for Embiid, the former MVP has developed a reputation for embellishing contact in order to get to the free-throw line. The seven-time All-Star has led the NBA in free throws attempted per game in three of the prior four seasons.

As Howard mentioned, it's worth noting that Embiid's ability to physically overpower opposing centers in the post can also leave defenders with no choice but to foul him in order to prevent a bucket.

The 30-year-old has appeared in just 12 games this season as his debut was delayed due to knee issues, averaging 24.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field. Embiid is only attempting 8.5 free throws each night, his lowest mark since the 2017-18 season.

Joel Embiid scores 37 PTS on 57.1 FG% to lead the @sixers to their 4th straight win! 🔋 pic.twitter.com/TTGKCYu9iq

— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2024

Howard gave compliments to his former teammate, but he also called him out for seemingly exaggerating contact.

Joel Embiid reportedly tried to get the Philadelphia 76ers to bring back a former teammate over the offseason.

Per Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill, the 76ers "tried to engage Miami" on a deal for Heat star Jimmy Butler before making an eventual deal with Paul George. Embiid reportedly "wanted a reunion with Butler" and "pushed for it," according to Goodwill.

The report of Embiid and the 76ers' pursuit of Butler comes after ESPN's Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst reported that the six-time All-Star "indicated" to Miami that he wants the team to trade him on Thursday.

Before that report from Charania and Windhorst, Butler alluded to a trade request in his postgame press conference following the Heat's loss to the Indiana Pacers.

"I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we'll find out here pretty soon," Butler said on Thursday. "I'm happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I'm not doing it."

Butler was asked whether he could find his joy on the court with the Heat, to which he responded, "probably not."

Butler, who has led Miami to a pair of Finals appearances over the last five seasons, is having his worst season in over a decade. He's putting up just 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game as the Heat have started the year 17-15.

It's clear Butler needs something to help him find his spark on the floor, and a change of scenery could be the best option.

According to Charania and Windhorst, Butler did not give the Heat a list of preferred destinations and is "open to playing anywhere other than Miami." Perhaps the 76ers, who dropped to 13-19 with a 139-105 walloping from the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, will re-engage in conversations with Miami about Butler.

Butler's time in Philadelphia was short as he played just 55 regular season games and 12 postseason games. He departed for the Heat after less than a full season with the 76ers despite the team reportedly offering him a five-year, $190 million max contract.

While Philadelphia couldn't find much success with Butler—it reached the Eastern Conference semifinals—the 76ers could put in a bid in the coming weeks as they look for something to help turn their season around.

Apparently Paul George and Lance Stephenson recorded some music tracks from their time together on the Indiana Pacers.

"We've got a couple of tracks that are floating out there from 10 years ago," the podcaster and Philadelphia 76ers star said Monday on his Podcast P show (34:47 mark). "We actually got a couple tracks floating out there. They fire, boy, they fire."

There is a long history of NBA players trying their hands at the music game, and the results are... mixed. For every Damian Lillard, there are countless Allen Iversons, Shaquille O'Neals and Kobe Bryants.

It's likely that Stephenson and George fall into the latter camp, though we'll probably never know for sure.

Lonnie Walker IV is attracting interest from NBA teams and is available for a buyout from his Žalgiris contract in the EuroLeague, with any NBA team able to make the move until Feb. 18, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

The Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics have all been mentioned as potential suitors, per Stein.

Walker notably participated in Boston's training camp ahead of the 2024-25 season. After failing to crack the roster, he declined to sign a G League contract with the Maine Celtics and instead signed with the Lithuanian club, per Forbes' Hunter Felt.

Shortly after the decision, he took to social media to address the situation.

"I'm only 25," Walker posted. "All in due time."

I’m only 25 🙏🏾 all in due time ! The marathon continues. I know the stars will align. Self belief is the best belief. All apart of the story. Stay tuned ⏰

— Lonnie Walker IV (@lonniewalker_4) October 29, 2024

However, Walker has been showing out for Žalgiris. In 11 games he has averaged 14.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from behind the three-point line.

Walker was the No. 18 pick in the 2018 NBA draft out of the University of Miami. He spent his first four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, starting 56 games and averaging 9.4 points per contest while shooting 41 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc.

The 6'4" guard then spent one season with the Los Angeles Lakers before joining the Brooklyn Nets in 2023-24, with whom he averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 42 percent from the field off the bench.

The NBA has fined Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid $75,000 for making an obscene gesture during the first half of his team's 118-114 road win over the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/TaIkZWbfeO

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 28, 2024

Embiid has notably paid homage to the legendary wrestling stable D-Generation X in the past by emulating its infamous chop, and it's possible that his could have gotten him in trouble here.

Joel Embiid finishes through contact while drawing a foul. The big fella then brought out the DX "suck it" chop leading to a Celtics timeout. #Sixers

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) December 25, 2024

The big man was notably fined $35,000 for performing the same move on Oct. 29, 2023 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Embiid also had another gesture after hitting a three to close the first half. His shot gave the 76ers a 66-58 lead.

Embiid cashes from three before halftime 💰

Philly up 66-58 on Boston 🔔 pic.twitter.com/WVdpF0L1Vh

— ESPN (@espn) December 25, 2024

Embiid also waved goodbye to Celtics fans as the 76ers were closing out the win.

Embiid waves goodbye to Boston fans as Philly walks away with the Christmas win 🎄 pic.twitter.com/c0AQWDeebj

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 26, 2024

For the night, Embiid posted 27 points and nine rebounds to give the 76ers a much-needed victory. It's been a tumultuous season for the team, which sits 12th in the Eastern Conference with an 11-17 record.

Embiid has missed most of the season with left knee injury management, and he also sat three games after shoving a reporter during a postgame locker room altercation stemming from an article.

He's back and healthy now, though, and the 76ers have won eight of their last 11. A road game against the Utah Jazz on Saturday is up next.

After making a career-high seven three-pointers to help lead the Philadelphia 76ers to an upset win over the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day, swingman Caleb Martin received some high praise from star center Joel Embiid.

While speaking to reporters after the Sixers' 118-114 win, Embiid hyped Martin for bringing some extra fire against the Celtics.

"He's playing against Boston. He hates them as much as I do," Embiid said.

Joel Embiid on Caleb Martin’s big night: “He’s playing against Boston. He hates them as much as I do.” #Sixers pic.twitter.com/3ZwNYeaPFo

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) December 26, 2024

Martin shot 7-of-9 from beyond the arc and finished with 23 points to help support Embiid, who had 27 points and nine rebounds, as well as star point guard Tyrese Maxey, who led the way for Philadelphia with 33 points and 12 assists.

Embiid added that he thinks Martin is at his best when he lets his natural instincts take over, and he hopes to see more of that from him going forward.

"He was great. I like when he's not thinking about it," Embiid said. "Tonight, he was just not thinking about it. ... Keep doing it with confidence."

The Sixers (11-17) will be seeking their third straight win when they face the Utah Jazz (7-21) on Saturday.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid thought his team's 118-114 victory over the Boston Celtics was a demonstration of its strength when it's close to firing on all cylinders.

"I think we got a high ceiling. It's all about us pulling it together," he told reporters after the game. "I don't think we played our best basketball, but Tyrese was great. I could've been better. PG could've been better and we will be better and then our bench was—Caleb gave us a good boost. The bench was great, but I don't think that was our best basketball, but we got a pretty good chance so it's all about waiting for some luck and staying healthy."

The Sixers might take a lot of encouragement from the fact they beat the reigning champions on the road despite their Big Three of Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey not going above and beyond collectively.

Maxey was excellent, dropping a game-high 33 points along with 12 assists. Embiid's output (27 point, nine rebounds and two assists) was good but not exceptional by his usual standards. George, meanwhile, shot 4-of-15 for 12 points while adding four rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block.

This was the three-star formula working as intended. When you have a trio as good as Embiid, George and Maxey, you can beat really good teams with only two of the three delivering offensively.

And it obviously helps when a supporting player steps up, as Caleb Martin did by shooting 7-of-9 from beyond the arc. But that's also why Philadelphia signed Martin in the first place.

Joel Embiid on Caleb Martin’s big night: “He’s playing against Boston. He hates them as much as I do.” #Sixers pic.twitter.com/3ZwNYeaPFo

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) December 26, 2024

Of course, Sixers fans got a reminder of how quickly the bottom can fall out.

Embiid's status for Wednesday's game was briefly in doubt after he appeared to trip over the security rope around the court during warmups. It would be just Philly's luck to start building positive momentum before Embiid or George is sidelined for an extended period again.

For now, the state of the 76ers is a far cry from the panic that was generated amid a 3-14 start.