• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Big-Money Sixers Lack Support For Banged-Up Joel Embiid

  • The 76ers are one loss away from another early exit amid Embiid’s prime.
  • It’s concerning for a team with the seventh-highest payroll and minimal financial flexibility.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid has done everything he could to lead the 76ers this season, but the battered big man isn’t getting any support when he needs it most. 

On Tuesday, Miami routed Philly by 35 points to take a 3-2 series lead, and the Sixers extended a dubious streak — all three losses have been by double-digits. Embiid, who missed the first two games of the series with an orbital fracture, scored just 17 points — and received next to no help from his teammates, including James Harden. 

For a team whose $149 million payroll is the seventh-highest in the NBA and has minimal financial flexibility going forward, it’s looking like another wasted season amid Embiid’s prime.

  • Embiid was a finalist for MVP and won the NBA scoring title (30.6 PPG) — the Sixers were 31-16 when he was the only star this season, before the Harden trade.
  • Harden — who’s slated for a $270 million extension — scored 14 points on 5-13 shooting in Game 5.
  • Tobias Harris (17.2 PPG in the playoffs) hasn’t lived up to expectations despite being the team’s second-highest-paid player ($36M) — but is still owed $76.9 million over the next two seasons.

There’s only so much Embiid can do alone, and beyond Tyrese Maxey — a second-year guard chipping in 20.8 PPG on 49.4% shooting — his teammates aren’t stepping up.

Meanwhile, Miami’s Jimmy Butler — the second star on a 2018-19 Sixers team that made the Eastern Conference semifinals — is fourth in scoring this postseason (28.3 PPG).

The well-rounded Heat have exposed serious cracks in the Sixers’ foundation — Philly (+300) is a heavy underdog to win the series.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Mar 3, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.
Sponsored

Hornets Cancel Sports Betting Night Vs. Heat Over Terry Rozier Tie-In

Terry Rozier is under federal investigation for point-shaving in a 2023 game when he was on the Hornets.

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Featured Today

Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
September 7, 2025

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Tennis
September 5, 2025

The US Open Is Groaning Under the Weight of Its Own Success

New York’s tennis major is more popular than ever.
Sep 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) runs to first base during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The $339 Million Mets Are in Jeopardy of Missing the Playoffs

The Mets’ wild-card lead is 1.5 games with 15 remaining in the regular season.
May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
September 11, 2025

Clippers Minority Owner Allegedly Invested in Aspiration to Pay Kawhi

Minority investor Dennis Wong allegedly invested in Aspiration as well.
Sep 10, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards (8) fights to keep the ball in-bounds during the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Mohegan Sun Arena.
September 12, 2025

Connecticut AG Demands Documents From WNBA About Sun Sale Process

The WNBA reportedly prefers to move the team to Houston.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 10, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; A general view of the main scoreboard at Yankee Stadium during a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk before the game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.
September 11, 2025

Yankees Prepare for Security Chaos With Trump at 9/11 Game, Days After..

The team told fans to arrive three hours early without any bags.
September 9, 2025

Clippers, Kawhi Leonard Draw New Scrutiny As More Details Emerge

The NBA has commenced an investigation.
September 8, 2025

Bears, Without State Funding, Officially Pivot Stadium to Suburbs

The NFL team formally abandons its plans for a downtown stadium.
Jul 14, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries fans acknowledge local basketball alumni during a time out against the Phoenix Mercury during the second quarter at Chase Center.
September 7, 2025

Valkyries Set WNBA Attendance Record in Inaugural Season

The Valkyries joined the WNBA as an expansion team this season.