RealGM Basketball Wiretap

30 November 2025

• Andre Drummond Suffered No Structural Damage In Right Knee

  The Philadelphia 76ers got some good news on the injury front on Saturday morning. Center Andre Drummond suffered no structural damage in his right knee. There is hope Drummond will return from the injury fairly quickly.

  The Sixers backup center was forced to leave Friday's victory over the Brooklyn early. There was fear that Drummond may have suffered a more serious injury than imaging showed.

  The veteran center has started in nine of the 17 games he's played for Philadelphia this year. Drummond is regularly called upon to started when Joel Embiid is out of the lineup. Drummond is averaging 8.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and a block per game this season.

• NBA Scouts Say Joel Embiid Struggling To Keep Up With Modern Pace Even When Healthy

  Joel Embiid's mobility issues extend beyond his knee problems, with NBA scouts expressing concern that he cannot match the pace of the modern game. An Eastern Conference scout said the Philadelphia 76ers center struggled with the league's speed even before his latest injury, raising questions about his long-term effectiveness.

  "You look at where the league is heading, with the pace and the speed the game is being played," the second East scout said. "He was having trouble keeping up with it when he was healthy, let alone now."

  Embiid has missed more than two weeks with right knee soreness after previously dealing with left knee issues. The ongoing problems underscore the fragile state of his body and have prompted Philadelphia to create a style of play that does not depend on his availability.

  Multiple Eastern Conference executives believe the 76ers must reimagine how they use Embiid rather than building their offense around him. One executive suggested Philadelphia needs to deploy him strategically to maximize his remaining value.

  "They have to figure out how to maximize Joel," a second East executive said. "I don't think he can come back and look like he used to. They have to try to use him in a strategic way, where he can have some value to them, but you can't build the offense around him."

  Embiid's mobility problems have been most apparent on defense, where opposing teams target him when he ventures outside the paint. His lateral movement has deteriorated significantly, limiting his effectiveness in pick-and-roll coverage.

  "He basically runs from one free throw line to the other," an East assistant coach said.

  His rebounding has also declined, another sign of reduced explosiveness. With Embiid sidelined, the 76ers have struggled defensively with Andre Drummond as their only true big man.

  Teams still respect Embiid's scoring ability and gravity in dribble handoff actions with guards Tyrese Maxey, Cooper Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain. After a poor season debut in Boston, he posted five consecutive games with at least 20 points while shooting 50 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range.

• Andre Drummond Leaves Sixers' Win With Hyperextended Knee

  Philadelphia Sixers center Andre Drummond was diagnosed with a hyperextended knee, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Drummond suffered the injury during the Sixers' 115-103 win over the Nets on Friday night.

  Drummond left the game in a wheelchair.

  Drummond is averaging 8.2 points and 10.3 rebounds on the year.

• Tyrese Maxey Called 'Heart And Soul' Of Sixers, Compared To Allen Iverson By Paul George

  Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is averaging 32.5 points and 7.8 assists per game through 14 games, prompting praise from teammate Paul George. George told The Athletic that Maxey has improved from last season and compared his impact to Allen Iverson's influence on the franchise. Maxey ranks second in the NBA in scoring and is building a case for his first All-NBA selection.

  George said he realized the extent of Maxey's improvement during Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The forward watched Maxey's performance from the bench and turned to point guard Kyle Lowry to acknowledge the guard's development.

  "I looked at Kyle, and I said, 'Yo, Tyrese really got better,'" George told The Athletic.

  Maxey leads the league in minutes played at just over 40 per game. His durability has been critical for a 76ers team dealing with significant injury issues. George has played only one game this season, while Joel Embiid has been on a minutes restriction and missed the last four games with knee soreness.

  "He's the heart and soul of this team," George said. "This is similar to what Allen Iverson once did for the city. He's our battery, and we're witnessing one of them ones."

  Maxey is shooting 42 percent from 3-point range and averaging nearly five rebounds per game. The 76ers are 8-6 despite limited availability from key players. Nick Nurse acknowledged the team's reliance on Maxey during this stretch.

  "It's evident how much we need him," Nurse said. "The minutes are going to be there. They are going to be at around 40. He's got to carry the load."

  Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic praised Maxey's physical development and conditioning after Wednesday's game. The Raptors trapped Maxey in pick-and-rolls and shaded help defense toward him throughout the contest.

  "His body has gotten better. He's stronger and more well-conditioned," Rajakovic said. "I admire how hard he has played every single night."

• Kelly Oubre Jr. To Be Re-Evaluated In 2 Weeks

  Kelly Oubre Jr. will be re-evaluated in two weeks due to a sprained ligament in his left knee, the Philadelphia 76ers announced on Wednesday.

  The 29-year-old suffered the injury last Friday. An MRI revealed a LCL strain.

  Oubre is averaging 16.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 12 games this season.

• Paul George To Make Season Debut Monday Against Clippers

  Paul George will make his season debut on Monday when the Philadelphia 76ers host the Los Angeles Clippers. George underwent offseason knee surgery and needed additional rehabilitation time.

  Last season, George averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 assists in 32 minutes over 41 games in the first season of his four-year, $212 million deal. George played in 74 games during his final season with the Clippers in 2023-24.

  The Sixers have a 7-5 record to begin the season as the team has played faster around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

• Kelly Oubre Jr, Adem Bona To Miss Time Due To Injuries

  Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has been diagnosed with an LCL injury in his left knee. Oubre is out for Monday's home game against the LA Clippers. A formal recovery timeline will be shared by the team after Oubre meets with specialists.

  The Sixers will also be out with backup center Adem Bona for at least the next three teams. Bona suffered a right ankle sprain against the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

  Philadelphia could be welcoming back Joel Embiid and Paul George soon. Embiid and George are closing on returns after being full participants in practice on Sunday.

• Joel Embiid Day-To-Day With Right Knee Soreness; Paul George In 'Final Stage' Of Return

  Joel Embiid is day-to-day with right knee soreness, the Philadelphia 76ers announced following their 102-100 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

  Embiid underwent imaging earlier in the day.

  "No expectation at all," Nurse said when asked if Embiid would miss games. "He just reported a little soreness in his right knee. He's had some imaging on that this afternoon, and the doctors are here tonight to go over that with him."

  The Sixers also announced the Paul George was in the "final stage" of returning to the lineup.

  George's timeline for his return will be updated later this week.

  The Sixers are now 7-4 on the season.

• Jared McCain Listed As Probable For Tuesday; Paul George Increasing Participation In Practice

  Jared McCain is listed as probable and could make his season debut for the Philadelphia Sixers on Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls.

  McCain has been out since tearing a ligament in his thumb in September.

  McCain played just 23 games last season, averaging 15.3 points per game.

  Paul George has also been increasing his participation levels at practice over the past couple weeks. There is no timetable for George's return.

• Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Named NBA Players Of Week 2

  Tyrese Maxey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 2.
  
  In four games played throughout the week against Orlando, at Washington, against Boston, and at Brooklyn, Maxey produced an Eastern Conference best 33.5 points on 47.4-percent shooting, 5.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.25 steals. Maxey's production helped guide the 76ers to a 3-1 record throughout the week, upping their overall record to 5-1 on the season.

  Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 28.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists.