Philadelphia 76ers Start Strong Despite Embiid Injury, Brooklyn Nets Winless

The Philadelphia 76ers started their 2025 season strong with a 4-1 record, showing resilience by overcoming large deficits in multiple games. Head coach Nick Nurse has effectively managed a roster dealing with injuries, experimenting with a three-guard lineup featuring Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes, complemented by Kelly Oubre Jr. at small-ball power forward, which has yielded a notable +46.9 net rating. Joel Embiid, still recovering from knee issues, has been limited in minutes and is expected to sit out the upcoming game against the Brooklyn Nets, with younger players like Adem Bona and Andre Drummond filling in. The Nets, struggling with a winless start and defensive weaknesses, rely heavily on scorers Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., but face challenges in both offense and defense. Upcoming matchups highlight the 76ers' strong free-throw and three-point shooting capabilities, which contrast with the Nets' defensive vulnerabilities and lack of depth. Philadelphia's focus remains on improving defensively and maintaining offensive momentum as they prepare to face the struggling Brooklyn Nets.