Philadelphia is a weird place to play sports. You know it, I know it. One night they’re ready to build a statue for you, and the next, they’re booing you for missing a rotation in the third quarter of a January game against the Magic. That’s the reality of NBA basketball Philadelphia 76ers fandom in 2026. It’s exhausting. It’s loud.
Honestly, it’s mostly about Joel Embiid. It always has been. But things feel different right now.
We’ve spent a decade talking about "The Process." We’ve analyzed every tweet, every surgery, and every second-round exit until our brains turned to mush. But as we sit here in mid-January 2026, the identity of this team is shifting away from the hulking presence of Embiid and toward a blur of speed named Tyrese Maxey.
The Maxey Era isn't coming—it’s here
If you haven’t watched a Sixers game lately, you’re missing the fastest man in the league. Tyrese Maxey isn't just a "good young player" anymore. He’s the engine. Leading the league in minutes is a death sentence for some players, but Maxey seems to thrive on it. He’s currently averaging a staggering 30.9 points per game.
Think about that for a second.
He’s doing this while shooting nearly 41% from deep. The kid is 25 years old and he’s carrying the offensive load of a franchise that has historically relied on a 7-foot center. When the Sixers beat the Raptors 115-102 recently, Maxey dropped 33 like it was a light cardio session. It’s not just the scoring, though. It’s the way he’s taken over the locker room. With Paul George and Embiid constantly in and out of the lineup for "injury management," Maxey is the one constant.
The fans love him. Why wouldn't they? He smiles, he works hard, and he doesn't complain about the pressure. In a city that treats sports like a soap opera, Maxey is the protagonist everyone actually likes.
What's actually going on with Joel Embiid?
Look, we have to talk about the big fella. Joel Embiid is still the most talented player on the planet when he’s right. But "when he's right" is becoming a shorter and shorter window. This season, he’s missed significant time with knee and adductor issues. He’s averaging about 23.5 points and 7 rebounds—career lows in some categories—and he’s only played in about 20 games so far.
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There’s a segment of the fanbase that is just... done. They’re tired of the "questionable" tags. They’re tired of the load management.
But then he steps on the court against Toronto or Cleveland, hits 13,000 career points, and reminds you why you put up with it. He’s still a defensive wall. He’s still a guy who can get to the free-throw line 10 times a night just by breathing on a defender. Nick Nurse has done a decent job of turning him into a more willing passer, too. He’s seeing the floor better than he did under Doc Rivers.
Is he still an All-Star? Yeah, probably. But he’s no longer the undisputed "1A" on this team. That’s Maxey’s job now. Embiid is the luxury piece. The ultimate "break glass in case of playoffs" weapon.
The VJ Edgecombe factor
Nobody expected the Sixers to land the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft, but the lottery gods finally smiled on Philly. Enter VJ Edgecombe.
The Baylor product is basically a human pogo stick. He’s 6'4", explosive, and he’s already averaging 15 points per game when Embiid is out. His usage rate jumps from 14% to nearly 22% when he’s the primary second option next to Maxey.
The most interesting thing about Edgecombe is how he fits the "new" Sixers. He’s fast. He’s athletic. He’s exactly what the Daryl Morey-Nick Nurse partnership wanted: a dynamic wing who can defend multiple positions and run the floor.
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The "Old Sixers" were slow. They played "bully ball." The NBA basketball Philadelphia 76ers of 2026 are trying to outrun you. Between Maxey, Edgecombe, and a rejuvenated Kelly Oubre Jr., this team is actually—dare I say it—fun to watch in transition?
Standing in the East: A dogfight for the 5-seed
Right now, the Sixers are sitting at 22-17. That puts them 5th in the Eastern Conference.
They’re half a game behind the Raptors and a game ahead of the Cavaliers. It’s tight. If the season ended today, we’d be looking at a Philly vs. Toronto first-round series.
- The Good: They are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
- The Bad: They struggle in close games (5-6 in games decided by 3 points or less).
- The Weird: They beat the good teams and occasionally lose to the bad ones. Typical Philly.
Nick Nurse has been tinkering with the rotations constantly. One night it’s Andre Drummond getting big minutes to bang down low; the next, it’s rookie Johni Broome or Adem Bona getting a look. It feels like Nurse is still trying to find the perfect defensive combination to surround his scoring guards.
Why the "Paul George Experiment" is complicated
Paul George was supposed to be the missing piece. The veteran wing who could slide in, hit threes, and provide secondary shot-creation. At 35, he’s still a very good basketball player, but the "Big Three" of Embiid, Maxey, and George have barely played together.
It’s the same old story. One guy gets healthy, the other guy goes down.
When George is on the floor, the spacing is incredible. Defenses can’t double-team Embiid as easily, and they certainly can’t leave Maxey alone at the top of the key. But at $51 million this year, the Sixers need more than "spacing." They need a guy who can win them a playoff game when Maxey’s shot isn't falling.
The Support Staff
- Quentin Grimes: Has been a sneaky good pickup. He’s averaging 14 points and playing elite perimeter defense.
- Kyle Lowry: The 39-year-old is still out there taking charges and yelling at refs. You love to see it.
- Andre Drummond: He’s the insurance policy. If Embiid sits, Drummond gets you 15 rebounds. It’s a simple life.
The Reality Check
Can this team win a title? Honestly, it depends on whether you believe in "health" as a skill.
If the Sixers get to May with Embiid, Maxey, and George all at 90% health, they can beat anyone. Even the Celtics. But that’s a massive "if." The Eastern Conference is a meat grinder. The Knicks and Celtics are currently two games ahead of Philly for that 2-seed, and they look a lot more stable.
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The Sixers’ identity is no longer about a slow, methodical post-up game. It’s about Maxey’s speed, Edgecombe’s athleticism, and hoping Embiid has enough gas in the tank for a two-month sprint.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the team through the rest of the winter, watch the minutes per game for Maxey. He’s hovering near 40 per night. If that doesn't come down, he might hit a wall by March. Also, keep an eye on the home-and-home sets. The Sixers have been cautious with Embiid on back-to-backs, which means the backup center minutes (Drummond/Bona) are the most important minutes on the roster during those stretches.
Check the standings every Tuesday. With the East as crowded as it is, one bad week could drop Philly from the 4-seed to the Play-In tournament. The schedule in late January is brutal, featuring multiple games against Cleveland and Toronto. Those tiebreakers will decide where the first round of the playoffs happens.
The "Process" might be over, but the drama is just getting started.