Checking the 76ers starting lineup tonight has become a bit of a daily ritual for Philly fans, hasn't it? One day Joel Embiid is looking like an MVP, and the next, we're all refreshing X (formerly Twitter) to see if his knee is acting up again. Honestly, the 2025-26 season has been a wild ride of "will they, won't they" regarding the big three.
If you're looking for the quick answer, the Sixers are rolling with a core that finally seems to be finding some chemistry. Nick Nurse hasn't been shy about shuffling the deck, but we’re seeing a very specific group take the floor lately. It’s not just about the names on the back of the jerseys; it’s about how this weirdly constructed roster actually fits together.
The Projected 76ers Starting Lineup Tonight
The lineup is expected to look like this:
- PG: Tyrese Maxey
- SG: VJ Edgecombe
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Dominick Barlow
- C: Joel Embiid
Wait, Dominick Barlow? Yeah, I know. If you haven't been keeping up with every single mid-season rotation change, seeing Barlow in the starting four spot might feel like a glitch in the Matrix. But with Nick Nurse trying to find more length and defensive versatility next to Embiid, Barlow has quietly become a fixture. He brings a certain "glue guy" energy that Kelly Oubre Jr. sometimes lacks when he's hunting his own shot.
Maxey is obviously the engine. The guy is averaging over 30 points a night and basically looks like he’s playing at 2x speed while everyone else is on normal settings. Then you have VJ Edgecombe. The rookie has been a revelation. Most people thought he’d be a project, but his defensive intensity has made him almost unbenchable in the starting two-guard spot.
Why the Lineup Shifts Matter So Much
Most people get this wrong: they think the starting five is just about the five best players. It's not. If it were, maybe you'd see more of Eric Gordon or Quentin Grimes in high-leverage starts. But the 76ers starting lineup tonight is designed to protect Joel Embiid.
Everything revolves around the big man. Paul George was brought in to be the ultimate secondary creator, but he’s spent a lot of this season just trying to find his rhythm between various "injury management" stints. When PG, Maxey, and Embiid are all on the floor together, the Sixers have a net rating that rivals the best teams in the East. The problem is they’ve only played about half their games together.
The Barlow Factor
Dominick Barlow starting at power forward is a tactical choice. He doesn't need the ball. In a lineup with three high-usage stars, you need someone who's going to crash the glass, switch on screens, and stay out of the way on offense. Barlow does that. He’s basically the 2026 version of what the Sixers always wanted P.J. Tucker to be, just younger and more mobile.
The Rookie Spark
VJ Edgecombe is the wildcard. He’s a "connector." You’ll see him dive for a loose ball or disrupt a passing lane, and suddenly Maxey is off to the races for an easy layup. That kind of "cheap" offense is what keeps Philly in games when Embiid is tired or being double-teamed into oblivion.
The Injury Report Reality Check
Look, we have to talk about the "Probable" tags. Joel Embiid and Paul George are almost always listed as "Probable" with knee injury management. It’s the new normal in South Philly. Tonight is no different. The medical staff is being incredibly cautious because, frankly, Daryl Morey knows this team is a first-round exit if the stars aren't 100% come April.
Kelly Oubre Jr. has moved into a high-usage bench role, which actually suits him better. He can come in and just "be Kelly"—taking 10 shots in 12 minutes and providing a spark when the starters sit. It makes the bench unit, featuring Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry, actually look competent.
Strategic Insights for Tonight
If you’re watching the game or tracking the box score, keep an eye on the first six minutes. That’s usually when Nurse decides if the Barlow-Embiid pairing is working. If the opposing team is playing a "small-ball" four who can shoot, Barlow might get pulled early for a shooter like Quentin Grimes to balance the floor.
The 76ers starting lineup tonight is about defense first. They are currently hovering around the top 10 in defensive rating, a massive jump from where they were last season. Much of that is due to having George and Edgecombe on the wings, which allows Maxey to gamble more on the perimeter without giving up a wide-open lane to the basket.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
✨ Don't miss: Today's Real Madrid Lineup: Why Arbeloa Is Scrambling Before Levante
- Check the 6:30 PM Update: NBA teams must submit their official active rosters 30 minutes before tip-off. If Embiid or George is a late scratch, the betting lines will swing wildly.
- Watch the "Hand-off" Frequency: See how many times Maxey runs a DHO (Dribble Hand-Off) with Embiid in the first quarter. If it's more than five, they're looking to tire out the opposing center early.
- Monitor VJ Edgecombe's Fouls: The rookie is aggressive, but if he picks up two quick ones, the rotation gets messy and forces Nurse to use the older vets earlier than he wants.
The Sixers are finally looking like the contender they were supposed to be on paper. It's just taken a few months and some surprising lineup choices to get there.