The Philadelphia 76ers are enduring a challenging season. The frequent absences of Joel Embiid have been a significant issue for the team, and now a former NBA champion has criticized the center for his role in the team's struggles.

Tyrese Maxey has emerged as the new leader of the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2024-25 NBA season, especially in light of Joel Embiid’s recurring absences. Recently, the guard spoke about stepping into this new role and the challenges it has brought.

The 76ers still think Joel Embiid, who’s played in just 13 games this season, is a franchise-level player. “We’re still really happy with Joel,” 76ers majority owner Josh Harris told The Athletic

The Sixers got some good news on Monday as Joel Embiid returned to practice. Albeit, as a partial participant, but it is something for Philadelphia as it moves forward. The big fella will remain out for both the matchups with the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, but Embiid practicing is a good sign going forward.

Embiid, who has been out since Jan. 4 with a foot sprain and knee swelling stemming from last year's meniscus surgery, was a partial participant in Monday's practice, the team said.

Joel Embiid is one of the top players in the NBA… when he is healthy and actually plays. The issue with Embiid as that there haven't been a lot consistent periods when he is playing in every game. Former New York Knicks GM Scott Perry thinks that the 76ers should be exploring trade options for Embiid because of that.

Tyrese Maxey is assuming leadership for the Philadelphia 76ers amid Joel Embiid’s frequent absences due to injury. Maxey discusses the respect and cha

Even a few days later, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse made a point to rave about his team's defensive effort in Chicago. On the second leg of a home-road back-to-back, playing against one of the fastest-paced teams in recent memory, the Sixers were able to lock in as a defense and force a ton of late turnovers to put the game away.

Winning league MVP in 2023, Embiid followed that campaign by playing just 39 games the next season. Having already missed 31 games entering Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Embiid is ineligible for season awards due to the league's 65-game minimum rule.

After defeating the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night in a 137-136 thriller, a game in which both sides seemed allergic to defense, Dallas continues its road trip on Friday when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons.

The last time the Philadelphia 76ers played the Denver Nuggets just over a week ago, the Sixers were in the midst of a seven-game losing streak. Now, they face off again with the Sixers looking for their fifth win in a row.