Youthful Backcourt Gives 76ers Fresh Momentum as Embiid, George Battle Injuries
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The Philadelphia 76ers opened the 2025-26 season with a 9-8 record and a renewed sense of purpose, thanks largely to what rival scouts describe as an emerging guard-centric identity led by Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe.
Last season’s collapse sets the stage
Philadelphia finished 24-58 in 2024-25 after Joel Embiid appeared in only 19 games because of lingering left-knee trouble and Paul George played 41 contests while posting his lowest scoring average since his second NBA season. The franchise retained its top-six-protected first-round pick, then selected Edgecombe at No. 3 overall in June.
Scouts bullish on backcourt shift
“These guys give them the ability to move on from the Embiid and George era,” a Western Conference executive told ESPN, referring to Maxey and Edgecombe.
Coach Nick Nurse has built the offense around Maxey, who is averaging 32.2 points—second in the league behind Luka Doncic—while logging 40.4 minutes per game. Edgecombe is playing 37.3 minutes and has impressed talent evaluators with two-way flashes, drawing comparisons to Donovan Mitchell and peak Victor Oladipo.
“He’s a legitimate first- or second-team All-NBA player now,” an Eastern Conference scout said of Maxey. Another East scout called Edgecombe “an All-Star-caliber player” if his shooting and defense continue to develop.
Ongoing questions around Embiid’s mobility
Embiid remains a central variable. He followed a four-point season debut in Boston with five straight 20-plus-point outings, shooting 50 percent from the field and 37.5 percent beyond the arc, but has missed more than two weeks with right-knee soreness.
“They’re not good enough defensively without him,” a second Eastern scout said, noting the club’s lack of size behind backup center Andre Drummond. An East assistant coach added that Embiid “basically runs from one free-throw line to the other,” highlighting mobility limitations that also show up in reduced rebounding numbers.
George easing back after surgery
George, recovering from offseason knee surgery, returned last week and has logged three games. His 43 percent shooting overall and 35 percent from deep last season were labeled “poor shooting luck” by one East scout, who sees the nine-time All-Star fitting best as a floor-spacing power forward and occasional pick-and-roll screener.
“Better to not have him handling the ball as much anymore,” the scout said. Another East executive predicted George would “buy into helping Maxey succeed” if the young guards continue to drive the offense.
Early returns and realistic targets
The 76ers have already played 13 clutch games—second only to Dallas—suggesting little margin for error. Even so, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index projects 46 wins and the East’s No. 8 seed, a marked improvement after last year’s disappointment.
“People can see the vision,” a third Eastern scout said. “Everyone loves Maxey, and now everyone is crazy about VJ.” For now, Philadelphia’s success appears tied to how often Embiid and George can join them on the floor.
Source: ESPN
