Can Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey Tow Philadelphia All the Way Despite James Harden Drama? 3 Quick Takeaways From 76ers? 1st Win

The Philadelphia 76ers have finally seen the light after months of controversy following their first win of the campaign. Despite an unresolved future for James Harden, the franchise has registered their first win in their second game of the regular season. Banking on the abilities of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, they put forward an impressive display.

This win came across as a statement for the rest of the league as talks surrounding their title chances gained momentum. With the possibility on the cards, the dominance of the side was tough to neglect.

1. The prowess of Tyrese Maxey

The 22-year-old continued his brilliant display on the court as he registered 34-6-7 against the Toronto Raptors. In the away victory against the Canadian franchise, he made 12/20 shots with a field goal percentage of 60%. The point guard scored 21 points from 3-pointers alone as he went 7/9 from behind the 3-point line.

His impressive offense complemented his defensive contributions as he made a total of 5 defensive rebounds. He wrapped up his stellar game with a magnificent plus-minus of +10 as he became the joint top scorer for the 76ers on the night. The organization’s gamble with the rising star seemed to have paid off as Maxey ruled the backcourt.

2. Joel Embiid continues his reigning MVP form

The center caught the eyes with his brilliant 34-point show in the Scotiabank Arena. Last season’s MVP has started the regular season with a promising display as his defining form continued. The 29-year-old shot 14/21 from the field and made 5/6 free throws to carry on his scoring form in the NBA.

Despite several sources linking his name with the New York Knicks, the 7 footer stayed focused on the task. With the franchise fully supporting him, Joel Embiid maintained the balance with 9 defensive rebounds. With also 8 assists to his name, the 6-time All-Star missed out on the triple-double by a slight margin.

3. Another gamble paid off for the 76ers

There were concerns when the 76ers traded in Kelly Oubre Jr. from the Charlotte Hornets in this off-season. Till now, it’s fair to say that their risk has borne fruit as their sixth man impressed the fans once again. Coming off the bench, he has played more than an hour for the team but averaged 22.5-4.5-1 in the first two games.

Against the Raptors, in particular, he scored a crucial 18 points despite having a relatively poor shooting night. Still, in the initial two matches, his field goal percentage has been way higher than his career average. The 27-year-old has shown the league a glimpse into his capabilities, which would only further enhance with time.

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This win is bound to boost their confidence ahead of their five consecutive home matches. With the James Harden saga reaching a potential conclusion after nearly half a year, good times might be ahead for the roster. So, their chances for the championship are tough to rule out at this stage.

Can they go all the way this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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