Whenever Joel Embiid steps on a basketball court, he has the potential to be the best player out there. However, the question for the former MVP and the Philadelphia 76ers is whether Embiid will be available, and if so, to what extent. Well, while his availability is still in question, Embiid’s production is not.
Embiid has played in six of the last nine games and is giving fans flashbacks. Embiid is averaging 33 minutes with 29.2 points, eight rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Yes, this is a small sample size, but it is a bump up from his season averages at 28.3 minutes, 22.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
What is actually most important is how Embiid says he is feeling on the court. After a 123-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks, Embiid spoke to reporters, saying, “I feel like I’m getting back to myself.” He followed that up by saying, “I’m getting back to that level of just moving my feet, blocking shots, and being that defensive presence.”
Despite that, Embiid did not have the most insane stat line in the win over the Mavericks. He scored 22 points and had six assists, but only finished with four rebounds. However, Embiid’s averages over his last six games show he’s really starting to look like himself again.
What is the Support Around Joel Embiid
GettyJoel Embiid on the left and Tyrese Maxey on the right.
Health was always going to be the biggest issue for the 76ers this season, same as it was in 2024-25. Last season, Embiid played 19 games, averaging 23.8 points. Furthermore, the 76ers’ biggest offseason signing, Paul George, struggled with injuries but also didn’t look like himself. George only played 42 games, averaging 16.2, well below his career average of 20.5.
Understably, the 76ers went 24-58, being without two of their best players for most of the season, and when they were available, they did not perform. However, this season, the 76ers are fifth in the Eastern Conference with an 18-14 record.
Two players are leading the 76ers’ success, and neither Embiid nor George is one of them. In fact, last season’s struggles are the direct reason for this season’s early success. Due to the 76ers’ record, they had the third overall pick and selected VJ Edgecombe. Edgecombe has immediately made an impact, averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.
On top of that, because Embiid and George missed so much time last season, Tyrese Maxey took full advantage of his extra touches, averaging 26.3 points and 6.1 assists. Well, now, Maxey is channeling that experience. He leads the league in minutes per game (39.9) and field goal attempts (22.8), while averaging 30.9 points and 7.2 assists, becoming the face of the 76ers.
Given the level that Maxey and Edgecombe are playing at, the 76ers need one of Embiid and George to step up to maintain this record. However, George is averaging 15.9 points in 16 games. Embiid is getting hot at the right time, and if he can stay healthy while keeping this play up, the 76ers have the talent to make noise in the East.
Look Ahead at Embiid’s Matchups
GettyJoel Embiid taking a shot.
Over the next eight games, we will really find out how healthy Embiid is, along with how good the 76ers can be. The first of this eight-game stretch starts by closing out a five-game road trip against the New York Knicks, who might be the best team in the East, on January 3rd.
Right after that, the Denver Nuggets come to Philadelphia, but with Nikola Jokić and Jonas Valančiūnas out, Embiid may have an easier matchup. The 76ers get a break from their tough schedule, as the 76ers host the 8-24 Washington Wizards. However, the 76ers go on the road for three games, facing the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors twice. Finally, the last two games of this stretch are at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The bright spot about this stretch is that there is only one back-to-back, the two games in Toronto. That opens the door for Embiid to play in seven of the eight games to prove whether he is truly feeling like his old self.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Joel Embiid Feels More Like Himself And It’s Showing appeared first on Heavy Sports.