Things were meant to be different this time around. The Philadelphia 76ers believed that Tyrese Maxey was ready to take on the role of being the face of the franchise as Joel Embiid’s injury troubles persisted. Recent performances have proven that the 2023 MVP remains central to everything positive about this roster, and the Sixers are just one Embiid injury away from seeing their postseason hopes shattered.
A lot of offensive burden has been placed on Maxey's shoulders this season. A gruelling role in the rotation has seen the electric guard become the most utilised player in the entire NBA. Maxey has averaged 38.2 minutes per game. Nevertheless, he has soldiered on and willed his team into good standing as they compete for a playoff spot.
Even with an impressive season, Maxey has proven he can still deliver a performance that’s far from efficient. When this showing occurs, the 76ers have no choice but to rely on Joel Embiid's relentless scoring to carry them over the finish line. Time and time again, Philadelphia's superstar has had to salvage his teammates from the basketball abyss, and without him available, the franchise has little to no chance of making waves in the postseason.
Joel Embiid still possesses the keys to Philadelphia
As the 2025-26 NBA season tipped off, plenty of experts and fans predicted it could be a transition year for the Sixers, with Maxey and VJ Edgecombe forming one of the most electrifying duos in the league. Even with this narrative being spun, Embiid has proven every time he has stepped onto the floor that this is his team, and the Philadelphia front office should continue to construct this roster to amplify his levels of talent.
Without Joel Embiid in the lineup this year, the 76ers have posted a 19-22 record and have averaged 113 points per game. When the 32-year-old has been in action, Philadelphia has registered a 24-14 record and scored 119.4 points per game.
This is hardly groundbreaking news, given the jaw-dropping improvement in Embiid's mobility on the court. The 76ers' talisman is once again oozing confidence and striking fear into the hearts of the opponent's defense. On the season, Embiid has averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, while shooting 48.9% from the floor.
While these numbers are undeniably impressive, the players around Embiid can’t afford to slack off and expect him to carry the load, as that mindset has already proven disastrous. During the 76ers' 115-102 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, Embiid scored 34 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Despite a stat line of the stature, Philadelphia still could not clinch the victory, with Maxey (37.5%), Paul George (33.3%), and Kelly Oubre Jr. (28.6%) all having horribly inefficient performances.
Having Joel Embiid on the Philadelphia 76ers roster is far from a negative thing. However, over the years, the franchise has put too much offensive responsibility on his shoulders to the extent that they cannot create a winning brand of basketball without him on the court. One injury to Embiid would derail the Sixers' entire postseason dream.