76ers Win Opener with Maxey Leading, Embiid Limited by Minutes

The Philadelphia 76ers began their 2025 NBA season with a narrow 117-116 victory over the Boston Celtics, highlighted by a strong 40-point performance from Tyrese Maxey and an impressive debut from rookie VJ Edgecombe, who scored 32 points. However, the game also raised concerns as Joel Embiid, the team's star center, struggled significantly, scoring only four points on 1-of-9 shooting in just over 20 minutes, marking one of his worst performances and fueling speculation about his knee injury and future. Embiid's limited playing time was a strategic decision by head coach Nick Nurse, who imposed a minutes restriction to manage the center's health following a prior injury that sidelined him for much of the previous season. NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal publicly criticized Embiid's recent form, stating that Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokić has surpassed him as the NBA's top center, a sentiment reflecting concerns over Embiid's decline. Despite these challenges, the 76ers showed promise in their backcourt with Edgecombe emerging as a dynamic partner for Maxey, potentially stabilizing the team's guard rotation. The ongoing rivalry with the Celtics remains intense, with Embiid expressing strong disdain for Boston, underscoring the emotional stakes of the season opener.