The Philadelphia 76ers have become one of the most exciting and dramatic teams in the NBA. They've made a habit out of taking games down to the wire, competing with endless passion but rarely holding on to leads or preventing deficits they must overcome.
Despite the theatrics, the 76ers are setting the course for a postseason appearance built on resilience in the face of adversity—and the veterans are setting the tone.
Philadelphia has won five of its seven games by 10 points or less, including a trip to overtime and four victories decided by fewer than five points. It's also lost by no more than 11 points up to this stage of the season, with three of their four defeats coming by a single possession.
According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, 76ers forward Justin Edwards praised the veterans on the roster for helping to establish the never-say-quit mentality.
“We have a lot of vets who are in the locker room who are willing to fight and do whatever it takes for each other,” Sixers forward Justin Edwards said. “When you see those guys coming in and working hard every day, it just trickles down to the rest of us.”
Philadelphia knows how to make games interesting, but as Edwards describes it, the veterans refuse to let the team give up on a win.
76ers veterans "willing to fight," teaching up-and-comers to never quit
Philadelphia's close calls have become one of the signature elements of the team's success and shortcomings. With a winning record, however, there's much to celebrate considering the hurdles that have been placed in front of a relatively young team.
Paul George has yet to make his 2025-26 regular season debut, Joel Embiid has missed five of the 76ers' 11 games, and Dominick Barlow got hurt just as soon as he was breaking out.
Despite playing games without its MVP or its six-time All-NBA honoree, the 76ers are competing from buzzer to buzzer. They're leaning on All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey for superstar-caliber play and production, but there seems to be a true team identity being developed.
Five different players are currently averaging at least 15.4 points per game for the 76ers, and both Edwards and Trendon Watford have scored at least 20 in a single showing.
76ers up-and-comers already epitomizing "next man up" mentality
With a next man up mentality at play, the 76ers have erased the metaphorical deficit of having to play without two stars. It's simply a matter of navigating the challenges of actual games at this point, which tend to be as stressful as wondering when the big names will return to the rotation.
With the guidance of the veterans in the locker room, however, there's a leap being made from players all throughout the rotation.
Breakout rookie VJ Edgecombe has energized this team with his endless motor. Quentin Grimes has responded to publicly tense negotiations by not missing a beat. Edwards scored 22 points after not attempting more than six shots in a previous game this season. And the stories don't end there.
Watford went off for 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in the first game during which he played at least 30 minutes. Barlow had 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists after landing a surprise spot in the starting lineup. And the trend will likely continue.
With the veterans setting the tone, the young players have helped ensure the 76ers will step up when their number is called and refuse to accept defeat.