Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers happily played the "Grinch" role at TD Garden on Christmas Day.

Amid plenty of boos from the Boston crowd, Philadelphia was able to defeat the hometown Celtics 118-114 to improve to 11-17 on the season and pick up some positive momentum as they approach the new year.

MERRY FRICKEN CHRISTMAS!!!! pic.twitter.com/m382gSvlTE

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 26, 2024

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

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 26, 2024

The 76ers held a 66-58 halftime lead but a 24-16 advantage towards the Celtics in the third quarter made gave the game some new life. Philadelphia would then secure a 15-point lead in the final quarter, but an 11-0 run from Boston late in the game made it tight once again.

However, some clutch free throw shooting from Embiid and Paul George kept Philadelphia ahead and allowed it to secure the crucial win.

Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 33 points while Embiid had 27 and Caleb Martin had 23. The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum's 32 points while Jaylen Brown had 23.

Tyrese Maxey makes it an 8-0 76ers run 🎯

🎄 PHI-BOS | 4Q | #NBAXmas
🎁 ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ & Disney+ pic.twitter.com/yPSDhG8Ejg

— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2024

Fans took to social media to praise the 76ers effort and declare that the team is back from its slow start to the season.

https://twitter.com/RealCodyMallory/status/1872056004214710537

Statement win by the 76ers

— Parlay Pro (@Prosideplays) December 26, 2024

I’m sorry I doubted you https://t.co/DlGaJaqtXB

— UK Philadelphia 76ers (@Uk76ers) December 26, 2024

This game cannot be the Finals for the Philadelphia 76ers, but it can the turning point of their season. They are too talented to be where they are currently this is a solid Win.

— Prosody Trip (@TripBayless24) December 26, 2024

Joel Embiid in the win:

— 27 PTS
— 9 REB
— 2 AST

Played good. pic.twitter.com/LBL0BZYC6h

— 76ersMuse (@76ers_Muse) December 26, 2024

And just like that, everyone should feel very VERY good about this Philadelphia 76ers team…

When they’re healthy, they can beat any team in the entire league

ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO SEE IT

— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) December 26, 2024

Tyrese Maxey today:

33 PTS
12 AST
3 STL
12-23 FGM

The 76ers have won 8 of their last 11 games. pic.twitter.com/33b20RVf9Y

— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) December 26, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers achieved a narrow victory over the Boston Celtics with a final score of 118-114, thereby extending the Celtics' losing streak to two games. Meanwhile, the 76ers have increased their winning streak to two consecutive games. pic.twitter.com/5zAonJr1KT

— Overtime Zone (@OvertimeZoneNBA) December 26, 2024

My Christmas Day was mid until my 76ers bullied the Celtics in Boston 🔥

— Ace (@AceDolan) December 26, 2024

https://twitter.com/funnysportsgirl/status/1872081033140781154

The 76ers have won two games in a row and eight of their last 11 as the push toward playoff contention. Philadelphia is currently 11th in the Eastern Conference and are two games behind the 10th place Detroit Pistons.

Philadelphia will face the Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers to round off their 2024 slate. They will also face Boston three more times during the regular season, the next of which comes on Feb. 2.

The showdown between Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid and San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama came to an early end when the former was ejected in the first half of his team's 111-106 victory on Monday, and one of the officials explained what happened.

Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports relayed the pool report interview between crew chief Curtis Blair and Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer in which Blair said Embiid was ejected because "he was given two unsportsmanlike technical fouls, which by rule is an ejection."

Tonight’s pool report on Sixers-Spurs: pic.twitter.com/hPF2zfIXPJ

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) December 24, 2024

Blair also addressed whether Embiid made contact with an official and said, "after postgame review there is incidental contact with both of them, but it was incidental in nature. There was nothing that warranted any further punishment. It was incidental in nature."

Joel Embiid was FURIOUS after picking up an offensive foul on Wemby 😳

Embiid was hit with two techs and was ejected 😬 pic.twitter.com/9rVIGazig1

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 24, 2024

Andre Drummond was also ejected and then allowed back into the game, and Blair said that happened because "after review it was determined that Drummond stepped on Wembanyama's foot and it was deemed incidental contact."

Fortunately for Embiid, his team still delivered a win.

He finished with nine points and three rebounds on 2-of-8 shooting from the field and 1-of-4 shooting from deep before the ejection, but Tyrese Maxey picked up the slack with 32 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and three steals on 12-of-25 shooting from the field and 5-of-11 shooting from deep.

That was enough to overcome 26 points, nine rebounds, eight blocks and four assists from Wembanyama.

The Spurs star at least won the battle of the big men, but he would surely trade it for an actual victory in the game.

It was a much-needed win for Philadelphia, which improved to 10-17 on what has been a disappointing campaign. There is still plenty of time to turn things around, but it certainly isn't battling at the top of the Eastern Conference like it hoped to be at the start of the season.

If Maxey continues to play like he did Monday and Embiid remains healthy and avoids more ejections, the 76ers still have the talent to move up the standings. Perhaps Monday's win can be something of a turning point.

The showdown between Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama was the headline for Monday's NBA slate.

So much for that.

The Philadelphia 76ers big man was ejected in the first half when he was called for an offensive foul when driving on the San Antonio Spurs star. He was upset with the call and argued before being assessed two technical fouls.

Joel Embiid was FURIOUS after picking up an offensive foul on Wemby 😳

Embiid was hit with two techs and was ejected 😬 pic.twitter.com/9rVIGazig1

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 24, 2024

Embiid CRASHED OUT 💀 pic.twitter.com/iXSgK7jYM5

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) December 24, 2024

It was an early end to a disappointing night for Embiid.

He finished with nine points and three rebounds on 2-of-8 shooting from the field and 1-of-4 shooting from deep. On the other side was Wembanyama, who had a stunning seven blocks in the first half alone and clearly won the game within the game with the big-man battle.

Social media had plenty of response to Embiid's ejection:

Might have been the angriest I’ve ever seen Embiid.

— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) December 24, 2024

my hot take is embiid didn’t want the wemby smoke, saw his opportunity to get ejected & took it 🤭

— rivercitykiiid ❤️💛💙🏀 (@rivercitykiiid) December 24, 2024

https://twitter.com/Nictheegr8/status/1871363863016522119

Bs man, wanted to see Embiid vs Wemby and just got robbed

— Wemby 2026 MVP (@playoffWembyy) December 24, 2024

That Embiid and Wemby call was a bang bang play. Could have gone either way.

Sixers are also 9-17. Trying to get back into the season. Embiid can't be outchere talking crazy to the ref, no matter how much he felt he was right...

— Eddie Mackalicious (@eddiemack5) December 24, 2024

Now that Embiid has been ejected the Sixers will have played two full games with Maxey. Paul George and Embiid this season. Christmas is in two days.

— Subscribe to the You Know Ball Patreon (@TrillBroDude) December 24, 2024

Sixers fans complaining about flopping when Embiid is on their team is crazy

— Spurs Culture (@SpursCulture) December 24, 2024

Wembanyama seeing Embiid getting tossed.... #nba #porvida #sanantonio pic.twitter.com/XtuRWV5dlV

— JeffGSpursKENS5 (@JeffGSpursZone) December 24, 2024

This is more of the same for the 76ers, who have dealt with injuries and inconsistent performances throughout the campaign. They entered play with an ugly 9-17 record, which is nowhere near where they expected to be at the start of the season.

Instead of battling with the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and others atop the Eastern Conference standings, they are not even in position to earn a play-in tournament spot.

Having a healthy Embiid available for more of the games as the season progresses should help them climb the standings, as he appeared in just seven of the team's first 26 games.

But being healthy doesn't help much if he's going to get ejected before halftime.

The Philadelphia 76ers' potential move to a downtown arena cleared a hurdle Thursday.

Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports reported the proposal for a downtown arena was approved via a City Council vote. The proposal passed by a 12-5 vote, which comes after terms for a deal for a new $1.3 billion arena downtown were negotiated and revealed in September.

The Associated Press reported on the situation in September and noted the agreement was for the 76ers to finance the entire project without help from city funding.

What's more, the agreement included a $60 million investment in neighboring areas.

"I truly am proud having made this decision and negotiated an agreement that will definitely ensure that our Sixers are staying home right here in Philadelphia, where they should be," Mayor Cherelle Parker said in September.

However, as the AP noted, there has been "significant opposition" from some who are worried about the project's potential impact on the city's neighboring Chinatown and other areas. Among those concerns are worries that vulnerable residents will be forced to move out and that there will be an increase in vehicle traffic in typically pedestrian-friendly areas.

Hayden Mitman of NBC Philadelphia noted there were plenty of protests ahead of Thursday's vote with some wearing shirts that said "City Council sold out Philly." Law enforcement removed some protestors from the area.

There was a period for public comment ahead of the vote with proponents discussing the potential economic impact to the area and opponents stressing their concerns about the impact to the surrounding neighborhoods.

City Councilmember Mark Squilla said City Council will continue to meet with people in the community regarding the project even after the vote.

Developers hope to complete construction that is expected to start in 2028 in time to open the arena in 2031.

As the AP noted, team owners said they would not renew their lease for Wells Fargo Center in the city's South Philadelphia sports complex. That lease runs out in 2031.

The current arena opened in 1996.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will be reevaluated in a week after suffering a sinus fracture during a Dec. 13 home game against the Indiana Pacers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

With 11 seconds left in the first half, Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin accidentally hit Embiid while he attempted a putback layup after teammate Tyrese Haliburton's missed shot. Medical personnel tended to Embiid before he walked off the court.

Joel Embiid has been ruled out with injury vs. Pacers

He will undergo further testing after 'impact to right side of face' pic.twitter.com/K0E7jrYB4F

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2024

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer later reported that the 76ers ruled him Embiid out.

Joel Embiid (impact to right side of face) will not return. He will undergo further testing.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 14, 2024

Embiid has only played six games this season, mainly due to left knee injury management. He recently sat seven straight games from Nov. 22 to Dec. 6 due to swelling.

"Joel Embiid is managing swelling in his left knee," the statement read. "In consultation with the team's medical staff, Embiid missed tonight's game and will also miss Sunday's game. He is receiving treatments and further updates on his status will be provided early next week."

The big man suffered a serious injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee that cost him two months last winter. He finished the regular season and participated in the playoffs and then the Olympics. Unfortunately, it's clear his left knee has given him problems, and the face ailment was just another blow in a brutal season for the big man.

Embiid is a seven-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA player and two-time scoring champion who was also named the 2022-23 MVP. He's an invaluable member of the 76ers, who went 16-27 with Embiid last season and 31-8 with him.

Without Embiid this season, the 76ers have turned to Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele to handle the minutes at the 5. The team continues to be beset by injuries, however, and is just 7-16 on the season.

The Philadelphia 76ers received some tough injury news about rookie guard Jared McCain.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported that McCain has been diagnosed with a "torn lateral meniscus in his left knee." This will require surgery and he will be out indefinitely.

76ers: Jared McCain has suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. He will undergo surgery and is out indefinitely.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 14, 2024

He suffered the injury during the 76ers Thursday game against the Indiana Pacers. He reported left knee soreness.

McCain has been a bright spot for a 76ers team that has had a difficult 7-16 start to the season. He has averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 23 games and has shot 46 percent on field goals.

His absence hurts the depth of the team and puts his candidacy for the Rookie of the Year Award on hold. The 76ers are already dealing with injuries to Joel Embiid, Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin, so McCain's absence will only further deplete the lineup.

Philadelphia will look for Reggie Jackson and Eric Gordon to pick up some of the production slack.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with a sinus fracture after being hit in the face while defending the paint in the first half of Friday's loss to the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Embiid will undergo further testing over the weekend, Charania added.

With 11 seconds remaining in the first half of Friday's matchup, Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin inadvertently hit Embiid in the face as he attempted a putback layup on a missed shot by Tyrese Haliburton. Medical personnel attended to the big man before he exited the court.

Joel Embiid has been ruled out with injury vs. Pacers

He will undergo further testing after 'impact to right side of face' pic.twitter.com/K0E7jrYB4F

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2024

Embiid has been in and out of the lineup all season mostly due to left knee concerns. He missed the first 10 games of the year: seven due to left knee management and three more because of a suspension after shoving a member of the media in a postgame confrontation.

The big man notably missed all of February and March 2024 after suffering an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee. He returned for the tail end of the regular season and the playoffs before suiting up for Team USA in the Summer Olympics.

The 2022-23 NBA MVP returned on Nov. 12 before sitting the next night on a back-to-back. He then played the next three games.

However, Embiid was then ruled out for his team's Friday, Nov. 22 game against the Brooklyn Nets and its Sunday, Nov. 24 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The team said in a statement that Embiid was managing swelling in his left knee.

"Joel Embiid is managing swelling in his left knee," the statement read. "In consultation with the team's medical staff, Embiid missed tonight's game and will also miss Sunday's game. He is receiving treatments and further updates on his status will be provided early next week."

As he deals with a left knee ailment, Embiid has struggled this season, averaging 22.0 points on 40.7 percent shooting, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in five games. The year before, the big man posted 34.7 points on 52.9 percent shooting, 11.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

If Embiid misses more time, the 76ers can turn to Guerschon Yabusele and Andre Drummond in his absence.

Having started to show signs of life after a dreadful start to the season, the Philadelphia 76ers don't intend to sit on the sidelines leading up to the trade deadline.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, the expectation within the NBA is that Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will be active on the trade market.

This is perhaps the least surprising development of the season. Morey is never one to rest when he senses an opportunity to make a deal. The 76ers made four trades before last year's deadline.

Considering how intense the pressure is on Morey and head coach Nick Nurse right now because of the Sixers' record, they almost have to make at least one move they hope will improve the roster.

Of course, the easiest way to improve things is to get Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George playing together on a consistent basis. Philly's big three has played a combined total of 33 games all season. They have only played together in the same game twice.

Even though it's a very small sample size, the Sixers with Maxey, Embiid, George and Jared McCain on the floor together have been a very formidable group.

Embiid-George-Maxey-McCain +38 net in (extremely small) sample of 36 possessions (100th percentile)

A lot of positive film on this group last night playing off each other’s strengths and the space created among them

— Thiago (@ThiagoPHL) December 9, 2024

It will be interesting to see how aggressive Morey and the front office want to be. They are $6.2 million under the second apron, so they could aggregate multiple contracts for one contract. If they made such a move, it would limit their flexibility by hard-capping them.

The Sixers also have multiple first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2028, plus the possibility for a pick swap with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2029. Those would likely be very attractive in trade talks if Morey wants to use any of them.

Since starting the season 2-12, the 76ers have won five of their last eight games. Their 7-15 overall record isn't very inspiring, but they are only 1.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the final spot in the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference.

The Philadelphia 76ers seemed to win the 2024-25 offseason, signing star forward Paul George to pair with former MVP Joel Embiid and ascending guard Tyrese Maxey.

It hasn't exactly gone to plan, however, as the Sixers have started a disappointing 7-15, beset by injuries..

Daryl Morey, the team's president, was the architect of the team but has proven to be something of a divisive figure around the NBA.

"Daryl has balls, but he's trading stocks from a desk," an executive told The Athletic's Sam Amick, John Hollinger and Mike Vorkunov about Morey's team-building approach. "I don't think what he does can win at the highest levels."

Maybe, maybe not, though Morey's teams regularly reach the postseason. His Philadelphia tenure hasn't included a trip past the second round of the playoffs, but the team certainly has the talent in place this season to make a deep run should it manage to reverse its slow start and stay healthy with any level of consistency.

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid had a successful return from his knee injury in Sunday's 108-100 win over the Chicago Bulls, but he admitted that he's still having trouble with the mental toll he felt while working his way back to the court.

"I've been saying it for the last few months. It's been extremely depressing," Embiid told ESPN's Tim Bontemps after Sunday's win. "It's something that hasn't been figured out, and it's been extremely annoying, because I would love to play every single game."

Embiid scored 31 points on 13-of-28 shooting while adding 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in Sunday's victory. It was his first game since his 35-point, 11-rebound performance against the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 20, and it was just his fifth appearance of the season.

Injury management coupled with an NBA suspension caused Embiid to miss the first nine games of the season. After returning for a four-game stretch, he was shut down again due to swelling in his left knee and personal reasons.

When asked about how the last few months have been for him, he told Bontemps plainly, "Depressing. Just trying to figure it out. There's no injury. Just between the swelling ... we've got to get it figured out. That's it."

Embiid's return on Sunday allowed him to share the floor with fellow stars Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, as the three of them previously only played six minutes together this season due to their various absences. In the 26 minutes they played together on Sunday, Philadelphia outscored Chicago by 14 points.

"It felt great," George said. "It felt great to finally gets some consistency with big fella out there and myself and [Tyrese]. It felt good to kind of put the team back together and log some minutes today."

Still, at 7-15, the Sixers have a lot of work to do to climb out of their early-season hole. They will have a few days to rest before taking on the Indiana Pacers (10-15) on Friday.

"It starts with health," Embiid said. "It felt good to have the guys on the floor. I believe if we're healthy, and we're on the floor, we have a chance against anybody, and I like what we have.

"I think the whole thing is about health ... that's what it comes down to. I wish I could have been playing from the beginning. I would love to play every single game, every single minute, but sometimes your body just says, 'No,' and you can't do nothing about it. All you can do is just keep working to fix it and get better."