If there’s one team that made some very intriguing moves to strengthen its roster this season, it’s the Sixers. Following the arrival of James, the franchise made a massive effort to bring in Jaylen Brown, one of the Boston Celtics’ biggest stars in recent years.

Taking on the reigning champions at one of the most iconic arenas in the league could be an interesting litmus test for Philadelphia. Will the Sixers finally be able to achieve their goal of reaching the NBA Finals?

James is chasing another championship

At 41 years old, LeBron James isn’t done writing history just yet—now rocking a Sixers jersey in Philly, King James is officially on the hunt for ring number five. Having already stacked four NBA championships across three different franchises—two with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013), one iconic homecoming title with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and another banner with the Los Angeles Lakers (2020)—he’s looking to bring that ultimate championship aura to the City of Brotherly Love.

Philadelphia’s first challenges

Looking past their opener against the Knicks, the 76ers’ next four games kick off with a three-game home stand at Xfinity Mobile Arena: taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 22, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks on October 24, and facing the Detroit Pistons on October 25. Afterwards, they head on the road to battle the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 28.

Key takeaways

• New York Knicks host Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden for the 2026–27 NBA Opening Night.
• LeBron James and Joel Embiid are expected to start for the Philadelphia 76ers.
• At 41 years old, LeBron James is seeking his fifth NBA championship with a new team.

After the game, LeBron James spoke to the media scrum in the locker room and shared his thoughts on what it was like to play with Joel Embiid in a 76ers jersey.

“I get excited when all my teammates play like that. We get excited for one another. I know what Joe’s capable of. He’s one of the best players in the world. The sky’s the limit for him,” James said, offering his initial thoughts on Embiid’s performance on the night.

Embiid proving he is healthy

Embiid’s health remains paramount, and he will undoubtedly serve as one of the 76ers‘ fundamental cornerstones. The early signs are encouraging, with Embiid actively participating in all of the team’s activities, a development James was quick to acknowledge.

“I think, obviously, he’s been in all the practices and been involved in everything. So, I think his health is showing, and he’s just starting to get his rhythm more and more, just like the rest of us,” James added.

How the 76ers are faring

LeBron James and Joel Embiid played on the same team for the first time since their run with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as the 76ers fell 125-120 to the Celtics in preseason action.

James finished with eight points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and one steal while shooting 4-of-9 from the field (44.4% FG). Meanwhile, Embiid paced the 76ers with 27 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, plus one steal and one block, shooting 7-of-13 from the field (53.8% FG) and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc (28.6% 3P).

Key takeaways

• “The sky’s the limit” for Joel Embiid, stated LeBron James following the game.
• A 125-120 defeat to the Boston Celtics was suffered by the Philadelphia 76ers.
• 27 points were scored by Joel Embiid to pace the Philadelphia 76ers.

Both James and Embiid are expected to suit up tonight against Boston. After sharing the floor during a brief stretch against Brooklyn, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse is expected to give the duo more extended run against the Celtics.

With any off-season trade rumors surrounding James and Embiid firmly put to rest, the Sixers are focused on building chemistry between their two centerpiece stars as they eye a deep postseason run in the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are taking a cautious approach with Jayson Tatum and Paul George for tonight’s contest. Both stars sat out Boston’s preseason opener as they continue to recover from off-season injuries.

Projected lineup for the Sixers

While Embiid and James remain the engine of the offense, guard Tyrese Maxey provides crucial scoring and playmaking support as Philadelphia looks to capture a victory tonight.

Here is Philadelphia’s projected starting five:

• Point Guard: Tyrese Maxey
• Shooting Guard: V.J. Edgecombe
• Small Forward: Paul George
• Power Forward: LeBron James
• Center: Joel Embiid

With their key pieces expected on the floor tonight against the Celtics, the Sixers are using these final tune-ups to gear up for a high-profile regular-season opener against the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.

Key takeaways

• LeBron James and Joel Embiid are expected to receive extended playing time against Boston.
• The Celtics are taking a cautious approach with Jayson Tatum and Paul George.
• Philadelphia’s projected starting unit includes Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Paul George, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid.

Following a preseason matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, Embiid directly addressed reports detailing friction between himself and James. “I don’t know where that came from. It never happened. … One, it’s not true. And then again it’s like, ‘Why me?’ But I guess I’m Joel Embiid, I’ve been in this situation,” Embiid told reporters.

The rumors stem from reports claiming the former Los Angeles Lakers star called out Embiid for arriving late to practice, a story that surfaced shortly before the Nets game.

Since signing with Philadelphia, James’ future has been a central talking point across the league, with fans and analysts treating year 23 as a potential “Last Dance.” That spotlight naturally breeds locker room intrigue, especially when paired with an MVP-caliber teammate like Embiid.

LeBron logs first stats in Sixers uniform

In 18 minutes of preseason action, James looked intent on finding his groove as he adjusts to a new system alongside Embiid and Jaylen Brown. However, the comments regarding his performance were not negative.

He finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and five assists against Brooklyn. Notably, James didn’t attempt a single three-pointer, doing most of his damage at the charity stripe with an 8-for-8 performance.

Philadelphia enters the season as a legitimate championship contender. With a core featuring James, Embiid, Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and rookie VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers boast an enviable blend of veteran leadership, elite depth, and high-upside youth.

Key takeaways

• Joel Embiid denied reports of friction between himself and LeBron James.
• Reports claimed James called out Embiid for arriving late to practice.
• James finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and five assists against Brooklyn.

LeBron James and Joel Embiid are among the healthy inactives for the Philadelphia 76ers, meaning they are out for the matchup. The decision is tactical, likely aimed at avoiding exposing both players to potential injury.

Furthermore, they will not be the only ones sitting out, as the Sixers will not have several of their biggest names on the floor. Tyrese Maxey is also ruled out, while Anfernee Simons, Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona, and Tacko Fall are among the other Philadelphia players unavailable for the opener.

Concerning injury report for LeBron

James had been seen participating comfortably in training sessions with the 76ers, but a report emerged today that raises concern among 76ers fans regarding how the veteran is entering this season. The ruling comes on the same day that ESPN’s Dave McMenamin provided additional insight into James’ physical condition entering his 24th NBA season.

McMenamin reported that James is dealing with chronic arthritis in his left foot, with special attention paid to the area during his daily training routine. His lower back is also being monitored after sciatica caused him to miss the first month of last season.

These factors make workload management a major consideration for Philadelphia, especially given James’ age and the length of the regular season. The Sixers are already analyzing how to manage that workload and handle back-to-back games as they prepare for the season.

Embiid’s physical status

That lingering worry over LeBron can be eased by the progress made by Embiid. Hours before tipoff, Philadelphia received another encouraging sign about the former MVP’s physical condition.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Monday on “NBA Today” that Embiid has slimmed down to his rookie weight following an offseason in which the 32-year-old finally had an opportunity to focus on training instead of rehabilitation.

Embiid was listed at 250 pounds coming out of Kansas before Philadelphia selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NBA draft. His current NBA profile lists him at 270 pounds. If true, this represents a highly significant change given Embiid’s injury history. It remains a shame that fans will have to wait to see LeBron and Joel share the floor.

Key takeaways

• Healthy inactives keep LeBron James and Joel Embiid out against the New York Knicks.
• Chronic arthritis in his left foot was reported ahead of his 24th season.
• A return to rookie weight was reported following an offseason focused on training.

Reflecting on the sweep in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals, Embiid did not shy away from the pain of the moment while maintaining his focus on life beyond the hardwood. “I want to win more than anyone. It s—- to lose. I haven’t won anything, so that hurts,“ he admitted during the post-game press conference at the Wells Fargo Center.

The superstar center emphasized that while his competitive fire remains, his identity is no longer tied solely to championship trophies. “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,“ Embiid concluded, highlighting his growth as a family man.

76ers failures since 2014

Since Embiid was drafted in 2014, the “Process” era has been defined by regular-season brilliance that rarely translates to postseason glory. One of the most heartbreaking moments occurred in 2019, when Kawhi Leonard’s famous quadruple-bounce shot in Game 7 sent the Sixers home in the second round, leaving a crying Embiid to wonder what could have been.

In 2021, the team suffered another historic collapse as the top-seeded 76ers lost a seven-game series to the underdog Atlanta Hawks. That failure was punctuated by a late-game hesitation from Ben Simmons and multiple blown leads, marking one of the most frustrating exits of Embiid’s career.

Most recently, despite the addition of stars like Paul George and the rise of Tyrese Maxey, the team has continued to hit a ceiling in the second round. Today’s sweep by the Knicks marks a decade of the Embiid era without a single trip to the Conference Finals, leaving Philadelphia fans searching for answers after yet another promising season ended in disappointment.

The76ers are monitoring Embiid’s ankle sprain and hip soreness after he missed Game 2. With the series shifting to Philadelphia, the Sixers are hoping their superstar center can recover in time to help avoid a devastating 3-0 deficit.

The Knicks, meanwhile, are suddenly dealing with major injury concerns of their own despite taking control of the series. Anunoby suffered a right hamstring strain late in Game 2, while Hart injured his left thumb.

What happened to Joel Embiid, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart?

Joel Embiid is dealing with a right ankle sprain and hip soreness, OG Anunoby suffered a right hamstring strain and Josh Hart sprained his left thumb ahead of Game 3 between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks.

Embiid’s situation remains the biggest concern for Philadelphia entering a must-win game at home. The Sixers superstar missed Game 2 after reportedly waking up with increased pain in both his ankle and hip.

Head coach Nick Nurse later confirmed Embiid was being evaluated day-to-day, with the team planning to make a final decision closer to tipoff. The former MVP has already battled multiple physical setbacks during this postseason.

Embiid recently returned from an emergency appendectomy that sidelined him late in the regular season, and Philadelphia has carefully managed his workload throughout the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Anunoby’s injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of New York’s Game 2 victory. The Knicks forward was seen grabbing the back of his right leg before asking to come out of the game and heading to the locker room.

Early reports described the injury as a minor hamstring strain, though New York is expected to remain cautious given his previous history with hamstring injuries during past playoff runs.

Josh Hart also appeared on the injury report after hurting his thumb during a collision in the second half of Game 2. Although he briefly exited the game, he returned and finished the contest, continuing to provide energy, rebounding, and perimeter defense for the Knicks.

What does being “questionable” mean on the NBA injury report?

In the NBA injury report, “questionable” means a player has roughly a 50 percent chance of playing. The designation is commonly used when a player is dealing with an injury that requires additional medical evaluation before the game begins.

Teams typically update a player’s status throughout the day depending on how the injury responds to treatment, warmups, or shootaround activity. In many cases, players listed as questionable become true game-time decisions.

How have they been playing this season?

Joel Embiid, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart have all played major roles for their teams during the 2025-26 season and playoffs, making their injury status especially important for Game 3.

Even while managing injuries throughout the year, Embiid continued to perform like one of the league’s elite centers whenever healthy. He was instrumental in Philadelphia’s dramatic first-round comeback against the Boston Celtics and remained the focal point of the Sixers’ offense alongside Tyrese Maxey.

Anunoby has arguably been one of the Knicks’ most impactful playoff players so far. During the postseason, he has averaged more than 21 points per game while shooting efficiently from three-point range and consistently taking on difficult defensive assignments.

In Game 2 against Philadelphia, he scored 24 points before exiting with the hamstring injury. His two-way versatility has been critical to New York’s success throughout the playoffs.

Hart’s impact goes far beyond scoring. The veteran wing has once again become one of New York’s emotional leaders thanks to his rebounding, hustle plays, transition defense, and durability.

Through the playoffs, he has regularly filled the stat sheet with rebounds, assists, steals and high-energy defensive possessions, often playing heavy minutes without leaving the floor.

The former MVP is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but multiple reports confirm the injury is not considered severe enough to keep him off the floor in this crucial Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup.

His status remains one of the biggest talking points heading into Game 2 after a disappointing opener, where Philadelphia was blown out 137–98 and struggled to establish any offensive rhythm with him on the court.

How and when did Joel Embiid get injured?

Joel Embiid is currently managing a right ankle sprain that first appeared during the latter part of the 2025–26 regular season and has been aggravated throughout the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks.

According to recent injury reports, the issue dates back to late December and has resurfaced multiple times as Philadelphia has pushed through a deep postseason run, including their seven-game series against the Boston Celtics.

The injury was not caused by a single dramatic play, but rather by accumulation of wear and tear combined with heavy minutes in high-stakes games. He also dealt with a right hip contusion in Game 7 of the first round.

More recently, he was seen visibly limited during Game 1 against New York, where the Knicks exploited his mobility on defensive switches. Philadelphia has been carefully monitoring his ankle response, with his status updated game-by-game depending on pain management and pre-game testing.

How important has Joel Embiid been to the 76ers’ roster?

Joel Embiid is absolutely the centerpiece of the Philadelphia 76ers, functioning as their offensive engine, defensive anchor and overall identity-shaping superstar whenever he is on the court.

His impact is so significant that Philadelphia’s performance swings dramatically depending on whether he plays or not, making him the most influential player on the roster by a wide margin.

Statistically, the difference is undeniable. With him available, the Sixers maintain a positive net rating and remain one of the more efficient two-way teams in the league, while without him they drop into negative territory and struggle to generate consistent half-court offense.

In the 2026 playoffs, he has continued to deliver elite production, averaging 28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game, confirming his role as a true all-around hub rather than just a scorer.

Even when not at full strength, his gravitational impact is visible in every possession. Teams defend differently, rotations tighten earlier and Philadelphia’s offensive structure becomes far more predictable when he is off the floor.

Embiid pointed to fatigue as a factor while stopping short of using it as an excuse. Embiid addressed reporters Tuesday in comments shared via SNY on X, acknowledging the physical toll of Philadelphia’s previous series. “Coming from the series we had and the physicality we displayed, I would like to think that maybe guys were tired. It’s not an excuse though, onto Game 2, you know, down 1-0, so focus on the next one.”

The 76ers entered the matchup after a seven-game series, both emotionally and physically demanding, against the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia came back from a 3-1 deficit, ultimately securing the victory in Game 7 on the road, at TD Garden, on Saturday night. The quick turnaround to the next round left little time for recovery.

The tough Game 1 for Embiid

In Game 1 against New York, Embiid struggled to find rhythm. The former MVP finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and one assist while shooting 3-11 from the field. He was efficient at the free throw line, going 8-9, but logged only 25 minutes as the game quickly slipped out of reach.

The Knicks capitalized early, building a significant lead and maintaining control throughout. Their defensive pressure and pace exposed Philadelphia’s lack of energy, particularly on the interior, where Embiid typically anchored both ends of the floor.

When asked what it would take to respond in Game 2, Embiid emphasized recovery and a return to physical play. “Hopefully, we get a good rest so we’re ready to go… I mean we’ve been playing every other day… so I don’t ever know. But yeah, just get a good rest and go out and display the physicality we had in our last series.”

What is next for the 76ers?

Philadelphia’s ability to rebound quickly would be critical as the series continued. The team now trailed 1-0 and faced limited time to adjust before Game 2. The 76ers would look to even the series against the Knicks on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET before the matchup shifted to Xfinity Mobile Arena.

According to Derek Bodner on X, Embiid issued a direct challenge to the fanbase to prevent a repeat of previous postseason takeovers. He stated, “I have a message for our fans. Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philly] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re gonna need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you…If you need money, I got you”.

The plea comes at a time when Nick Nurse knows what makes the Knicks dangerous for the 76ers. Embiid believes that having a loud, loyal crowd will be essential to matching that intensity and overcoming a New York team that has already proven it can win on the road.

Embiid finds peace in trusting his teammates during the 2026 run

Reflecting on his personal performance, Embiid shared that he no longer feels the crushing weight of having to do everything himself to secure a victory. “I’ve always taken the blame for everything that has happened,” he admitted, adding that it “means a lot” to finally be in a position where he can trust his teammates to deliver in big moments.

The 76ers currently lead the all-time playoff games record against the Knicks 23-16 and hold a 5-3 edge in series wins, though the sting of their 2024 first-round exit still lingers. During that last meeting, New York won 4-2 before losing an epic seven-game series to the Pacers, but now the two rivals meet again two years later.

With elite scorers like Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey set to clash alongside the Embiid-Towns battle, the star center emphasized that “you can’t win alone”. He believes this year’s squad has the necessary depth to finally overcome the hurdle that has kept Philadelphia from the conference finals for so long.

According to a post shared on X by “Oh No He Didn’t,” Embiid took direct aim at the guard’s pre-game confidence. He stated, “I saw #11 on the team before I came back he said they didn’t care if I was playing or not,” highlighting how the perceived slight fueled his dominant performance. Following the win, 76ers fans crashed the Celtics postgame show with bold chants to celebrate the historic upset.

Embiid further elaborated on how the lack of a specific defensive focus from his opponents allowed him to find his rhythm early. “When the other team doesn’t worry about you and have some solid game plan or being prepared for you he helps you have better games,“ the MVP candidate remarked. He concluded his thoughts with a sarcastic tip of the cap, adding, “I thank #11 for that.”

Embiid and Maxey make history while breaking the Boston hex

The victory marks a massive turning point for the franchise, as it is the first time in eight years that Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers have successfully defeated the Celtics in a playoff series. After years of postseason heartbreak and early exits at the hands of their division rivals, the Sixers finally “got over the hump” by delivering a resilient performance.

Embiid and Tyrese Maxey cemented their legacy in this Game 7 by becoming only the third duo in NBA history to each record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a winner-take-all game. They join the legendary ranks of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West (1963), as well as Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain (1970), as the only pairs to ever achieve those elite statistical benchmarks.

By securing this win, the Sixers have not only advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals but have also exercised the demons of past failures against Boston. With Embiid playing at an all-time high and Maxey proving to be the perfect secondary star, Philadelphia now enters the next round with more momentum than they have had in over a decade.