For the first time since February, Joel Embiid played a basketball game. Sure, it was only preseason, but given how miserable the last calendar year has been for this franchise and fanbase, it’s something.
Led by Embiid and a dynamic guard trio, the Sixers took down the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-110 for their only preseason win Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Timberwolves sat most of their regulars after a rare preseason back-to-back (why?), but there were still plenty of positives to take away.
Paul George, Jared McCain, Trendon Watford and Kyle Lowry remained inactive.
The next one is for real as the Sixers will head up to Boston next Wednesday to take on the Celtics in the season opener.
Until then, let’s get to Bell Ringer.
Joel Embiid: 14 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals (18 minutes)
Embiid played around 18 minutes and left the game healthy. That alone is great news. He also looked pretty good.
The former MVP wasn’t playing full throttle — nor should he for so many reasons — but he had several impressive moments. There was a lot made of Nick Nurse’s new offense and how Embiid would adapt to a more equal-opportunity system. Well, he had eight assists in 18 minutes. It appears he’ll do OK.
Embiid’s drives to the rim were encouraging, including a strong coast-to-coast finish late in the first half.
There was a scary moment … because of course there was. Towards the end of his second half stint, Embiid drove hard to the basket. Unfortunately, Leonard Miller was waiting to take a charge — a bold move, even against a slimmed down Embiid. Embiid was on the floor for a moment and got up awkwardly. He was able to get up under his own power and jog back down the other end. He checked out soon after, but it was his time to come out.
Again, he came out of the game feeling healthy. That’s a huge win.
Tyrese Maxey: 27 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Tyrese Maxey might be the safest bet to have a bounce-back season in 2025-26. He followed up a strong (albeit brief) showing against the Orlando Magic last Friday with another against the Timberwolves.
What stood out most was how often Maxey played off the ball while rookie VJ Edgecombe played some point guard (more on that below). Utilizing Maxey’s speed and shooting in off-ball reps could unlock something with the team’s entire offense.
That and his two-man game with Embiid will work. Maxey had seven assists on the night. Though the play below wasn’t an assist, the gravity created by the Maxey-Embiid two-man game led to a wide open look.
VJ Edgecombe: 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists
A bold prediction: VJ Edgecombe is going to be good.
The rookie was everywhere Friday night. He played the passing lanes, got out on the break, finished at the rim, made threes — you name it, he did it.
Edgecombe looked like the best player on the floor at the end of the third and start of the fourth. He produced several highlight-reel plays had nearly a handful more.
As mentioned, Edgecombe has assumed point guard duties throughout the preseason. It’s been a pleasant surprise to see him take those responsibilities and run with them. Even Nurse postgame said Edgecombe is so far ahead of where he anticipated the rookie would be.
You also saw the potential of this Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt. As a duo, there might not be a faster backcourt in the NBA. They routinely got out on the break and found opportunities. It’s easy to see how they’ll be able to complement each other this season.
How good will Edgecombe as a rookie? We’ll see. What we know for sure is he’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.
Quentin Grimes: 22 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals
Some fans might’ve soured on Grimes after the offseason drama surrounding his restricted free agency, but he reminded everyone on Friday that he can play. Nurse has raved about the shape Grimes kept himself in and, after shaking off a bit of rust early, Grimes started to assert himself.
While Grimes displayed much of the offensive skillset he showed with the Sixers last season, his defense might’ve stood out even more. He routinely walled off Minnesota’s guards and is a difficult player to screen.
The Sixers have an embarrassment of riches at the guard position.
