Adam Aaronson
@adamaaronson.bsky.social
Sixers beat writer for @phillyvoice.com
https://www.phillyvoice.com/staff-contributors/adam-aaronson/
https://www.phillyvoice.com/staff-contributors/adam-aaronson/
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Five years later, the 'Seven Sixers' recall the day 'everything was weird' and Tyrese Maxey began evolving into the franchise's leader
On Jan. 9, 2021, with only seven players available for the Sixers, a rookie guard named Tyrese Maxey scored 39 points in the first start of his professional career. The rest, as they say, is history.
www.phillyvoice.com
NEW: Five years ago today, rookie Tyrese Maxey scored 39 points in his first NBA start. A lot's happened since.
An oral history of the “Seven Sixers,” with those on the court the day “everything was weird” as Maxey’s evolution into a franchise's new leader began:
www.phillyvoice.com/philadelphia...
An oral history of the “Seven Sixers,” with those on the court the day “everything was weird” as Maxey’s evolution into a franchise's new leader began:
www.phillyvoice.com/philadelphia...
Pelicans beat the Grizzlies in New Orleans tonight and they will face the Sixers here tomorrow. Minutes totals for their guys tonight:
January 31, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Pelicans beat the Grizzlies in New Orleans tonight and they will face the Sixers here tomorrow. Minutes totals for their guys tonight:
Dr. Jonathan Glashow, who has received recent praise from Sixers fans as Joel Embiid’s progression continues, posted this video on Instagram earlier today: www.instagram.com/reel/DUJlQnv...
January 30, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Dr. Jonathan Glashow, who has received recent praise from Sixers fans as Joel Embiid’s progression continues, posted this video on Instagram earlier today: www.instagram.com/reel/DUJlQnv...
On the two-year anniversary of a game against the Golden State Warriors that Joel Embiid and the Sixers would probably like to forget, they reached a milestone of sorts with today's injury report:
www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-pe...
www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-pe...
Joel Embiid, Paul George not listed on injury report for Sixers-Pelicans on Saturday
Exactly two years to the day of the torn meniscus that changed everything, Joel Embiid is in the midst of his most consistent stretch of basketball since Jan. 30, 2024.
www.phillyvoice.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:07 PM
On the two-year anniversary of a game against the Golden State Warriors that Joel Embiid and the Sixers would probably like to forget, they reached a milestone of sorts with today's injury report:
www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-pe...
www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-pe...
Games this season in which Joel Embiid was not listed on Sixers' initial injury report:
10/22/25 @ BOS
10/28/25 @ WAS
10/31/25 vs. BOS
11/4/25 @ CHI
11/8/25 vs. TOR
11/11/25 vs. BOS (later ruled out for this game)
1/31/26 vs. NOP
10/22/25 @ BOS
10/28/25 @ WAS
10/31/25 vs. BOS
11/4/25 @ CHI
11/8/25 vs. TOR
11/11/25 vs. BOS (later ruled out for this game)
1/31/26 vs. NOP
January 30, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Games this season in which Joel Embiid was not listed on Sixers' initial injury report:
10/22/25 @ BOS
10/28/25 @ WAS
10/31/25 vs. BOS
11/4/25 @ CHI
11/8/25 vs. TOR
11/11/25 vs. BOS (later ruled out for this game)
1/31/26 vs. NOP
10/22/25 @ BOS
10/28/25 @ WAS
10/31/25 vs. BOS
11/4/25 @ CHI
11/8/25 vs. TOR
11/11/25 vs. BOS (later ruled out for this game)
1/31/26 vs. NOP
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. New Orleans:
Quentin Grimes – right ankle sprain – PROBABLE
Joel Embiid and Paul George are both not listed.
Quentin Grimes – right ankle sprain – PROBABLE
Joel Embiid and Paul George are both not listed.
January 30, 2026 at 10:00 PM
The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow’s game vs. New Orleans:
Quentin Grimes – right ankle sprain – PROBABLE
Joel Embiid and Paul George are both not listed.
Quentin Grimes – right ankle sprain – PROBABLE
Joel Embiid and Paul George are both not listed.
Asked Nick Nurse if he’s thought about this at all lately:
“A little bit. We’ve worked on it a little bit with [Barlow and Jabari Walker].”
Nurse said he recently watched film of an early-season game with Barlow at center and it occurred him how long it’s been since they tried it.
“A little bit. We’ve worked on it a little bit with [Barlow and Jabari Walker].”
Nurse said he recently watched film of an early-season game with Barlow at center and it occurred him how long it’s been since they tried it.
Random thought as I get to shootaround: I’m surprised Nick Nurse never took a longer look at Dominick Barlow at center. Definitely parts of his game that are accentuated playing the four, but certainty that he can play the five regularly might’ve made deadline easier to navigate.
January 30, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Asked Nick Nurse if he’s thought about this at all lately:
“A little bit. We’ve worked on it a little bit with [Barlow and Jabari Walker].”
Nurse said he recently watched film of an early-season game with Barlow at center and it occurred him how long it’s been since they tried it.
“A little bit. We’ve worked on it a little bit with [Barlow and Jabari Walker].”
Nurse said he recently watched film of an early-season game with Barlow at center and it occurred him how long it’s been since they tried it.
Nick Nurse watched back the Sixers’ win over Sacramento and feels a little bit worse about the way his team played, despite the win, he said. Cited issues with defense and defensive rebounding.
“I think we’re pretty lucky, to be honest with you, that we got out of there with a W,” Nick Nurse said. “Not very good on the glass, not very good in transition, not very good on defense… We’re pretty fortunate to get out of there with a win tonight.”
January 30, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Nick Nurse watched back the Sixers’ win over Sacramento and feels a little bit worse about the way his team played, despite the win, he said. Cited issues with defense and defensive rebounding.
New: This week's Friday film focuses on the only two players to show up for the Sixers in Thursday's win over Sacramento.
"I mean, listen: Joel and Tyrese were great. Let's not kid ourselves: they were awesome."
On Embiid, Maxey and combined greatness:
www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-ki...
"I mean, listen: Joel and Tyrese were great. Let's not kid ourselves: they were awesome."
On Embiid, Maxey and combined greatness:
www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-ki...
Friday film: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey drag Sixers to 'lucky' last-second win
Of the Sixers' 10 rotation players on Thursday, eight were unremarkable or worse. But two players were so good that none of it mattered in the end.
www.phillyvoice.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:45 PM
New: This week's Friday film focuses on the only two players to show up for the Sixers in Thursday's win over Sacramento.
"I mean, listen: Joel and Tyrese were great. Let's not kid ourselves: they were awesome."
On Embiid, Maxey and combined greatness:
www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-ki...
"I mean, listen: Joel and Tyrese were great. Let's not kid ourselves: they were awesome."
On Embiid, Maxey and combined greatness:
www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-ki...
The Sixers only made two shots in the first five-plus minutes of the fourth quarter of their win over Sacramento on Thursday.
From there, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey made all six of the team's baskets to come back and win:
From there, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey made all six of the team's baskets to come back and win:
January 30, 2026 at 5:30 AM
The Sixers only made two shots in the first five-plus minutes of the fourth quarter of their win over Sacramento on Thursday.
From there, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey made all six of the team's baskets to come back and win:
From there, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey made all six of the team's baskets to come back and win:
One of the funniest Eric Collins moments ever on the Cooper Flagg three. Please somebody clip it.
January 30, 2026 at 4:14 AM
One of the funniest Eric Collins moments ever on the Cooper Flagg three. Please somebody clip it.
Asked if he wants to see big changes made to the Sixers roster ahead of the trade deadline, Joel Embiid made pointed mentions of the team’s recent history of ducking the luxury tax. His final words:
“In the past we’ve been ducking the tax, so hopefully we think about improving.”
“In the past we’ve been ducking the tax, so hopefully we think about improving.”
January 30, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Asked if he wants to see big changes made to the Sixers roster ahead of the trade deadline, Joel Embiid made pointed mentions of the team’s recent history of ducking the luxury tax. His final words:
“In the past we’ve been ducking the tax, so hopefully we think about improving.”
“In the past we’ve been ducking the tax, so hopefully we think about improving.”
“I think we’re pretty lucky, to be honest with you, that we got out of there with a W,” Nick Nurse said. “Not very good on the glass, not very good in transition, not very good on defense… We’re pretty fortunate to get out of there with a win tonight.”
January 30, 2026 at 2:48 AM
“I think we’re pretty lucky, to be honest with you, that we got out of there with a W,” Nick Nurse said. “Not very good on the glass, not very good in transition, not very good on defense… We’re pretty fortunate to get out of there with a win tonight.”
Wrote about Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey: how Maxey finally found the free-flowing dominance that resembled his early-season play, plus how remarkable and beyond belief it is that Embiid is playing this well, this consistently, this easily.
A special duo: www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-ki...
A special duo: www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-ki...
Instant observations: Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid carry the load from start to finish as Sixers escape vs. Kings
All day Thursday, the Sixers' messaging was clear: they could not take a perceived easy matchup against Sacramento lightly. Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid certainly did not.
www.phillyvoice.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Wrote about Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey: how Maxey finally found the free-flowing dominance that resembled his early-season play, plus how remarkable and beyond belief it is that Embiid is playing this well, this consistently, this easily.
A special duo: www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-ki...
A special duo: www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-ki...
The Sixers tested the limits of how heavy of a carry-job two players can pull off in a winning effort tonight. Unbelievable game for the Joel Embiid/Tyrese Maxey duo, just enough to win a game with virtually no supporting acts:
January 30, 2026 at 2:38 AM
The Sixers tested the limits of how heavy of a carry-job two players can pull off in a winning effort tonight. Unbelievable game for the Joel Embiid/Tyrese Maxey duo, just enough to win a game with virtually no supporting acts:
Joel Embiid to Tyrese Maxey to put the Sixers ahead with 1.3 seconds left and, eventually, win the game.
January 30, 2026 at 2:36 AM
Joel Embiid to Tyrese Maxey to put the Sixers ahead with 1.3 seconds left and, eventually, win the game.
The Sixers are going to have a chance to go for the win out of this timeout. 5.2 seconds left and the game is tied at 111.
January 30, 2026 at 2:31 AM
The Sixers are going to have a chance to go for the win out of this timeout. 5.2 seconds left and the game is tied at 111.
Tyrese Maxey gives the Sixers the lead at the 1:57 mark. Absolutely awesome work by Maxey and Joel Embiid to drag the Sixers back in front. They have 73 of the Sixers' 109 points.
January 30, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Tyrese Maxey gives the Sixers the lead at the 1:57 mark. Absolutely awesome work by Maxey and Joel Embiid to drag the Sixers back in front. They have 73 of the Sixers' 109 points.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are going to try to drag the Sixers to a win here. They've cut the lead back down to four points with 5:55 left.
January 30, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are going to try to drag the Sixers to a win here. They've cut the lead back down to four points with 5:55 left.
Boos here as the Sixers suddenly trail by eight points with 8:13 left.
January 30, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Boos here as the Sixers suddenly trail by eight points with 8:13 left.
Andre Drummond is in to start the fourth quarter.
January 30, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Andre Drummond is in to start the fourth quarter.
After three: Kings 92, Sixers 88.
The Sixers trail heading into the final frame after a subpar third quarter, punctuated by a buzzer-beating three from Keon Ellis.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have been brilliant, but nobody else on the Sixers has provided a scoring punch.
The Sixers trail heading into the final frame after a subpar third quarter, punctuated by a buzzer-beating three from Keon Ellis.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have been brilliant, but nobody else on the Sixers has provided a scoring punch.
January 30, 2026 at 1:58 AM
After three: Kings 92, Sixers 88.
The Sixers trail heading into the final frame after a subpar third quarter, punctuated by a buzzer-beating three from Keon Ellis.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have been brilliant, but nobody else on the Sixers has provided a scoring punch.
The Sixers trail heading into the final frame after a subpar third quarter, punctuated by a buzzer-beating three from Keon Ellis.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have been brilliant, but nobody else on the Sixers has provided a scoring punch.
Halftime: Kings 54, Sixers 60.
Sixers have controlled this one, though they've never led by double-digits. DeMar DeRozan (21 points) + Dennis Schröder (14 points) have been good. Meanwhile...
Tyrese Maxey: 23 points, 4-7 3P, 5-5 FT
Joel Embiid: 19 points, 7-10 FG, 1-1 3P, 4-4 FT
Sixers have controlled this one, though they've never led by double-digits. DeMar DeRozan (21 points) + Dennis Schröder (14 points) have been good. Meanwhile...
Tyrese Maxey: 23 points, 4-7 3P, 5-5 FT
Joel Embiid: 19 points, 7-10 FG, 1-1 3P, 4-4 FT
January 30, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Halftime: Kings 54, Sixers 60.
Sixers have controlled this one, though they've never led by double-digits. DeMar DeRozan (21 points) + Dennis Schröder (14 points) have been good. Meanwhile...
Tyrese Maxey: 23 points, 4-7 3P, 5-5 FT
Joel Embiid: 19 points, 7-10 FG, 1-1 3P, 4-4 FT
Sixers have controlled this one, though they've never led by double-digits. DeMar DeRozan (21 points) + Dennis Schröder (14 points) have been good. Meanwhile...
Tyrese Maxey: 23 points, 4-7 3P, 5-5 FT
Joel Embiid: 19 points, 7-10 FG, 1-1 3P, 4-4 FT
Justin Edwards, whose first rotation cameo as an NBA player came against DeMar DeRozan and the Kings, checks in late in the second quarter after giving the Sixers a nice lift on Tuesday.
January 30, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Justin Edwards, whose first rotation cameo as an NBA player came against DeMar DeRozan and the Kings, checks in late in the second quarter after giving the Sixers a nice lift on Tuesday.
After one: Kings 25, Sixers 28.
Joel Embiid leads the Sixers with 10 points; Tyrese Maxey has nine points.
DeMar DeRozan leads Sacramento with 10 points.
Joel Embiid leads the Sixers with 10 points; Tyrese Maxey has nine points.
DeMar DeRozan leads Sacramento with 10 points.
January 30, 2026 at 12:38 AM
After one: Kings 25, Sixers 28.
Joel Embiid leads the Sixers with 10 points; Tyrese Maxey has nine points.
DeMar DeRozan leads Sacramento with 10 points.
Joel Embiid leads the Sixers with 10 points; Tyrese Maxey has nine points.
DeMar DeRozan leads Sacramento with 10 points.
Wasn't sure if we'd ever live in a world in which Joel Embiid could sleepwalk to double-figures in first quarters every night again. 10 points in 10 minutes for him.
January 30, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Wasn't sure if we'd ever live in a world in which Joel Embiid could sleepwalk to double-figures in first quarters every night again. 10 points in 10 minutes for him.