After a slow start to the 2025-26 NBA season, Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has started to look a bit more like his old self as of late.
Embiid’s availability was extremely limited to start the season, but he has now appeared in seven out of Philadelphia’s last 10 games and he cracked the 30-minute mark in each of those seven appearances. His counting stats have increased with his playing time, too.
Joel Embiid says he's starting to feel like his old self
The big fella tallied 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists against the Memphis Grizzlies in Philadelphia’s last game of 2025, and he followed that up with a 22 point, 6 assist, 4-rebound performance against the Dallas Mavericks in Philly’s first game of 2026.
After that game, Embiid shared an encouraging update regarding his health that will surely please fans in Philly.
“I feel like I’m getting back to myself,” Embiid said. “Physically, I think where I feel it the most is defensively. I’m getting back to that level of just moving my feet, blocking shots and being that defensive presence.”
This is obviously great news for the Sixers. For as good as Tyrese Maxey has been this season, the Sixers will still need a productive and impactful Embiid if they are going to make any real noise in the Eastern Conference this season.
When healthy, Embiid has proven to be one of the most efficient scorers and impactful defenders in the entire league, but there have been lingering questions about his ability to return to top form after undergoing knee procedures in both 2024 and 2025.
The big man still has a way to go to recapture his MVP form from the 2022-23 season, but he’s certainly moving in the right direction. Plus, with a deeper, more well-balanced team now, the Sixers might not even need Embiid to shoulder quite as large a load as he has in the past.
The main goal for Embiid for the rest of the season will be remaining available, and given his track record that’s not something that can be completely counted on, but early in 2026, both he and the Sixers appear to be trending in the right direction.
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