It took just six minutes for Philadelphia 76ers fans to fathom how much their team missed Joel Embiid. Maybe it was the pull-up jumper he sank in the first 54 seconds, his menacing rim protection, or how he pushed tempo. Regardless, Embiid treated the fandom to a remastered version of himself.
The 76ers tamed the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-110 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday evening. Philadelphia’s lone preseason victory featured Embiid’s highly anticipated resurgence and its back-court depth on full display, two crucial components in the 76ers’ contention status heading into the regular season.
Embiid is back
Embiid totaled a near triple-double of 14 points on 64.3% true-shooting, eight assists, seven rebounds, and three steals in just under 20 minutes. He appeared sharp on both ends of the floor and did things fans seldom saw last season, namely pushing the pace and consistently protecting the rim, two feats that went hand in hand.
Embiid frequently shut down Minnesota’s dribble penetration by rotating from the weak-side, which either forced the Timberwolves to reset or turn the ball over. From there, Embiid cleared rebounds and increased Philadelphia’s pace by instinctively pushing the ball down the floor or handing out timely outlet passes, which resulted in many easy transition baskets.
The 2022-23 Most Valuable Player delivered his regularly scheduled half-court brilliance as well. He manipulated single coverage with precise ball-handling that guided him into his sweet spots within the arc. Embiid also purposefully trailed as the 76ers set up their offense, which yielded him a few spot-up three opportunities. He read the floor nicely – using his gravity to generate open looks for his teammates and executing actions as a passer.
If Embiid continues to focus on rim protection and playmaking, it elevates Philadelphia’s ceiling on both ends of the court and keeps him fresh throughout the regular season in the process. This game could serve as a blueprint for what’s to come.
The backcourt is legit
The 76ers’ highly praised backcourt featured three 20-point scorers in Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes, who also made his preseason debut. The trio combined for 75 of Philadelphia’s 126 points.
Maxey led the way with 27 points on 72% true-shooting, seven assists, four rebounds, and three stocks (steals and blocks). He was the prime benefactor of Philadelphia’s newfound fast-paced identity. He leaked out after each stop and a teammate would reward him with an easy layup. The 76ers recorded 38 fastbreak points and Maxey played a pivotal role in the effort.
Edgecombe debuted at Xfinity Mobile Arena and fans left their seats begging for more. He had 26 points on 65.8% true-shooting, six rebounds, five steals, and three assists with 11 of those points coming in the fourth quarter. He made plays defensively, had success creating off the bounce, and his athleticism popped on both ends, especially in transition.
Grimes quietly notched 22 points on 74.5% true-shooting, five assists, and three steals off the bench. He thrived as a spot-up shooter and successfully operated pick-and-rolls – showcasing his versatility. Grimes also provided sound point-of-attack defense, which was the cherry on top.
The 76ers will travel to face the Boston Celtics in their season-opener on October 22nd at 7:30 p.m. EST.