Time for the Sixers to Move On
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers opened their 2025-26 season with an emotional 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics, led by Tyrese Maxey’s 40 points and a historic debut from rookie V.J. Edgecombe, who scored 34. It was the most points in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain in 1959 — and perhaps a sign of where this team should be headed.
While the young backcourt shined, the old core didn’t. Joel Embiid played just 20 minutes, finishing with 4 points on 1-of-9 shooting. Paul George didn’t play at all, continuing his recovery from offseason knee surgery. For a franchise trying to turn the corner, that absence says everything.
Enough is Enough
July 2024, the Sixers signed Paul George to a four-year, $212 million deal, expecting a final push toward contention. But just one game into the new season, it already feels like Philadelphia has outgrown that plan. George, 34, hasn’t been on the floor, and Embiid — a generational talent when healthy — hasn’t been able to stay healthy long enough to lead the team deep into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Edgecombe’s emergence and Maxey’s continued rise give the Philadelhia 76ers a new foundation. They represent everything the fanbase has been asking for: energy, dependability, and availability. And they’re proving that this franchise doesn’t need to cling to aging stars to stay relevant.
Edgecombe’s Arrival Signals a New Direction
Edgecombe’s poise and production in his debut instantly changed the conversation. His 34-point performance didn’t just win a game — it hinted at a future core that doesn’t depend on whether Embiid’s knee or George’s body holds up.
He and Maxey showed chemistry, speed, and confidence. They played without hesitation, while Embiid and George remain question marks. For a team that’s spent years stuck between “rebuild” and “win-now,” this game looked like a glimpse of what the next era could be.
Philly Fans Deserve Dependability
Sixers fans have been through everything — the Process, the tank years, and the endless injury reports. They’ve waited for consistency. Instead, they keep getting “what ifs.”
It’s time to stop waiting. The organization can’t keep hoping that Embiid returns to MVP form or that George can stay healthy for 70 games. Dependability wins in the NBA, and the players showing up every night — Maxey, Edgecombe, and the youth around them — are the ones moving the franchise forward.