Spent Saturday night at the Prudential Center, where former Camden HS stars D.J. Wagner and Billy Richmond were back for Arkansas’ marquee matchup against Houston. How is Wagner navigating (surprisingly) being the Razorbacks’ vet? “I take a lot of pride in it.” www.inquirer.com/sixers/dj-wa...

Tyler Myers, a 17-year NHL veteran, is 10 years older than Quentin Grimes, but the pair have gotten closer as professional athletes. Grimes attended the game alongside their mother and several other family members.

D.J. Wagner, once the No. 1 recruit, has embraced his role as a college basketball veteran The 6-foot-4 guard is an interesting case study in expectations put on high school athletes, this era of NIL, and how one defines success, @ginamizell.bsky.social writes. www.inquirer.com/sixers/dj-wa...

Billy Richmond, meanwhile, is a player that Houston coach Kelvin Sampson called “dynamic” following Saturday’s matchup. One fan hollered “Billy Ball!” when Richmond entered for the first time. “He gets in the game, the energy [is] going to shift.”

Wagner, the former Camden High School star, has started all 12 games for an Arkansas team that is ranked 14th nationally after a surprise run to the Sweet 16 last season.

Nick Nurse says Joel Embiid went though practice today. Kelly Oubre Jr., meanwhile, is going through what Nurse believes is his first full-blown on-court shooting/skill workout right now.

Joel Embiid had a grey jersey on as Sixers practice opened up to media. Andre Drummond in blue.

Spent Saturday night at the Prudential Center, where former Camden HS stars D.J. Wagner and Billy Richmond were back for Arkansas’ marquee matchup against Houston. How is Wagner navigating (surprisingly) being the Razorbacks’ vet? “I take a lot of pride in it.” www.inquirer.com/sixers/dj-wa...

Young guys, you say?!?! www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...

Honored to be your first guest, G! Happy Saturday, all!

Young guys, you say?!?! www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...

I’d say Edgecombe officially enjoys playing in MSG.

This is a travesty.

Surprise! We’re starting a thing! So thrilled @katetscott.bsky.social took time out of her football-filled week to be our first guest 🤜🤛

Surprise! We’re starting a thing! So thrilled @katetscott.bsky.social took time out of her football-filled week to be our first guest 🤜🤛

This Jabari Walker quote, from the *preseason*, is what sparked this story. When people ask what I like best about beat writing, it’s simply…being around. It allows you to notice and uncover small nuggets, and then build them out.

Yep. He referred to the game as the one when DiVincenzo hit the shot. I half-jokingly told him not to mention this game to Maxey (though I’m fairly certain they’ve already talked about it several times, ha).

VJ Edgecombe’s eyes widened when asked if he had played at MSG before (he finished his high-school career at Long Island Lutheran). He confirmed he has not — but was at Sixers-Knicks Game 2 in 2024. “The arena has so much aura. It’s just so legendary … I got to see how hostile it gets.”

A wholesome holiday season story I’ve been chipping away at for a minute: The Sixers’ youngsters are ~*~friends~*~ They play video games together. They go to pregame chapel together. They’ve roped in “Uncs” Andre Drummond and Paul George. “We're all just kids.” www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...

Good news for the Sixers: Tyrese Maxey was back at practice Wednesday. Perhaps better news? How the Sixers played without him. “We can be really good," he said. "I mean, we can. It’s possible.” www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...

This Jabari Walker quote, from the *preseason*, is what sparked this story. When people ask what I like best about beat writing, it’s simply…being around. It allows you to notice and uncover small nuggets, and then build them out.

For decades, Cobbs Creek's Billy Gordon taped thousands of basketball games. There were big events (NBA Finals) and small (Pepperdine vs. Loyola Marymount in 1987). "He didn't miss much." Gordon died last May. His family is looking for a home for his life's work: www.inquirer.com/college-spor...

More on the Sixers' young core ⤵️

Outside belief that the Sixers are old and washed up is primarily used as a dig at the oft-injured Joel Embiid and Paul George. But these youngsters are debunking that notion.

You probably saw Tyrese Maxey tweet about Joel Embiid while he was home sick during Friday’s 39-point outburst. But what did he WANT to tweet?

A wholesome holiday season story I’ve been chipping away at for a minute: The Sixers’ youngsters are ~*~friends~*~ They play video games together. They go to pregame chapel together. They’ve roped in “Uncs” Andre Drummond and Paul George. “We're all just kids.” www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...

I will ignore this GIF’s grammatical error because the Brandy/Whitney Cinderella is from one of my generation’s definitive movies.

Good news for the Sixers: Tyrese Maxey was back at practice Wednesday. Perhaps better news? How the Sixers played without him. “We can be really good," he said. "I mean, we can. It’s possible.” www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...

Sixers say that Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) and Trendon Watford (adductor) have progressed to individual on-court work. TBD on when the next update on either will be.

Joel Embiid is available to play in Atlanta tonight, which is an important step in his comeback (he had been taking at least two days between games). A reminder of how he looked Friday 👇🏻

Nurse also revealed before Friday’s game that Maxey had not been practicing with the Sixers during last week’s break, so this appears to be a pretty gnarly illness.

On a real-life Joel Embiid game in the year 2025. He powered inside. He snapped out of his three-point slump. He shot 18 free throws. "I don't expect having to do this when everybody's healthy. But I will if I have to." www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...

FINAL: Sixers 115, Pacers 105, on a night without Tyrese Maxey. Embiid with his best performance in a looooong time: 39 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists. George with 23-6-5. Edgecombe with 22-4-5. Up next: Sunday at Atlanta.

Sixers are about to be in another "clutch" game. They've played the third-most in the NBA entering tonight (16) and are 9-7 in those contests. Nick Nurse said these late-game scenarios have been a focus during the break between games.

Here comes Embiid, with about seven minutes to play. Sixers trail 100-97.

Sixers lost the stretch (minus-5) with Edgecombe and Embiid on the bench. VJ was at the scorer's table when Nurse called timeout. Curious to see when Embiid comes back in. Imagine he is slated to have about five minutes left.

Sixers 90, Pacers 90 at the end of the third. Embiid has a season-high 33 points on 19 shots in 25 minutes. Edgecombe with 20-4-5. George with 17-6-4. Another tight one for the Sixers brewing.

He gets called for goaltending, but seeing Embiid elevate little more to protect the rim is also encouraging. Still not grabbing rebounds like we are accustomed to.

It's Joel Embiid's first 30-point game of the calendar year: Last one was Dec. 30, 2024 in Portland

And there's Embiid's first 30-point game of the season -- with more than a quarter and a half still to go.

Halftime: Sixers 63, Pacers 58 after Embiid bangs the three-pointer at the buzzer. He's up to 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Edgecombe with 18-3-3.

TJ McConnell is gonna TJ McConnell until he's 45, isn't he?

Sixers 34, Pacers 31 at the end of the first. Terrific quarter for Edgecombe, who had 14 points and initiated the offense a ton in Maxey's absence. George with 8-3-2. Pacers have 15 bench points.

Jared McCain sliding into Grimes' sixth-man role. Big opportunity for him tonight with Maxey out.

Sixers lead 14-10 at the first timeout. Without Maxey, Edgecombe has 7 points (and nearly an eye-popping dunk) and two rebounds, while George off to a well-rounded start with 5-3-2. Sixers are 5-of-7 from the floor.

Tonight, the Sixers will be without Tyrese Maxey for the first time this season. He had played every game and sat among NBA leaders in points and minutes. How has he handled that heavy load? “He’s a warrior. There’s no question about it. He’s a fighter." www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixer...

A little reminder of what the Sixers are missing with Maxey out tonight. Production and lots and lots of minutes 👇🏻

For decades, TGI Fridays on City Line Ave was a Sixers hangout. Then, Allen Iverson turned it into a club. He had his own booth (Table 70). He used a back entrance. Former employees said he'd call after games to let them know he was on his way. On "Club Fridays" www.inquirer.com/sixers/tgi-f...

From Paul George, on Tyrese Maxey’s workload:

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