RealGM Basketball Wiretap

12 November 2025

• 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.

• Sixers Exercise Third-Year Option For Jared McCain

  The Philadelphia 76ers exercised their third-year team option for Jared McCain, announced team president Daryl Morey on Thursday.

  The contract now keeps McCain with the team through the 2026-27 season.

  McCain has yet to appear this season after suffering a UCL tear in his right thumb in September.

  McCain averaged 15.3 points in 23 games last season.

• VJ Edgecombe Scores 34 Points In Debut, Most Since Wilt Chamberlain

  VJ Edgecombe scored 34 points in the Philadelphia Sixers' 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

  It is the most any player has scored in their NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 43 points in his debut in 1959.

  The previous Sixers record was set by Allen Iverson, who scored 30 points in his debut in 1996.

  "I worked every day, and all my life, for moments like this. This is my dream," said Edgecombe after the game.

  Edgecombe's 14 points in the first quarter were also the most ever for a player's opening quarter on their debut, beating LeBron James from his 2003 debut.

  Edgecombe finished 13-of-26 from the field and added seven rebounds.

  "That's an amazing first-game performance. It really is," added Sixers coach Nick Nurse. "That's a neat list to get on."

• Sixers Waive DeAndre Baldwin, MarJon Beauchamp, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill, Saint Thomas

  The Philadelphia 76ers waived MarJon Beauchamp, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill and Saint Thomas. The Sixers also signed-and-waived DeAndre Baldwin. All five players are expected to join the Delaware Blue Coats for the upcoming G League season.

  The 76ers roster is now set for the regular season. Philadelphia has 14 players on standard contracts and three players on two-way deal. The Sixers are carrying an open roster spot into the regular season.

• Joel Embiid 'In Good Space Mentally, Physically'' In 14/7/8 Preseason Return

  Joel Embiid played his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers in nearly eight months Friday, finishing with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists in the team's 126-110 preseason victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Embiid remained on track to participate in next week's season opener at the Boston Celtics barring any setbacks. Embiid moved well on the court and appeared to have shed the bulky brace that frustrated him throughout last season.

  "I don't want to really think about the past," Embiid said. "I'm just in a good space mentally, physically. I'm just happy to touch the basketball and be able to play basketball and do what I love."

  Embiid last played on February 22 against Brooklyn before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee weeks later. He sat out the entire 2024-25 season's second half and played just 19 games total last year.

  Tyrese Maxey contributed 27 points in 30 minutes, reflecting the 76ers' overall offensive efficiency in the tuneup. The first-year performance from No. 3 draft pick VJ Edgecombe highlighted the team's depth, with the guard posting 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals in 34 minutes.

  Edgecombe's athleticism and playmaking reaffirmed Nurse's decision to slot him into the starting five for opening night. Quentin Grimes, meanwhile, made his preseason debut after signing an $8.7 million qualifying offer and posted 22 points with 5 assists off the bench.

  Paul George remained sidelined as he continues rehabilitation from July knee surgery. While George has participated in practices this week, he still must clear additional steps before returning to game action.

  "Pretty good," Nurse said of Embiid's overall performance. "I thought he moved good, played good, shot it good, passed it good. I didn't see too many negatives out there."

  "I mean, I won't say I feel like I was 18 years old again," Embiid said with a smile, when asked if he felt like the past few weeks have gone as well as could be expected in his ramp-up to the season. "That's never going to happen. But I'm just taking it day by day. Like I said, just learning. Some days are going to be good, some days I'm going to be a little bit tight, so learn from it and adjust and keep doing the right things."

• Sixers Won't Change Basketball Operations Following Bob Myers Hire For HBSE

  Bob Myers is exiting his role as a basketball analyst for ESPN to become president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Myers was already working as a consultant to Josh Harris and helped assemble the leadership team of the Washington Commanders.

  HBSE's portfolio includes the Philadelphia 76ers, the Commanders, the New Jersey Devils, as well as Crystal Palace of the English Premier League.

  The exiting structures of the HBSE teams will continue to operate in their current form. Daryl Morey has run the Sixers since 2020.

  Myers will remain based in California, but will travel regularly to HBSE/Commanders properties and events.

  "Our goal has been to hire, grow, and retain the best and brightest executives in the world and we are a stronger, more dynamic organization with the addition of Bob Myers," Harris and David Blitzer said. "His experience as an architect of championship teams will complement our existing leadership structure, while also allowing HBSE to maximize opportunities across our portfolio. We're excited to have Bob continue his storied career here at HBSE."

  Myers spent the first 14 years of his career as a sports agent before beginning his fromt office role with the Golden State Warriors. Myers helped assemble the rosters with the Warriors that won titles in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Myers left the Warriors when his contract expired in 2023.

  "I have been fortunate to know Josh and David for a long time, and I've always greatly admired them and respected how they've built such an impressive global sports portfolio," Myers said. "This role was intriguing because it provides the opportunity to work with some of the industry's most talented leaders and executives across the world's biggest sports leagues.

  "By leveraging HBSE's global presence in sports, we can create competitive advantages for our athletes and teams that enhance our ability to win. This is the type of challenge and opportunity I was looking for, and I'm grateful to Josh and David for the chance to be a part of HBSE."

  Myers added: "I also want to thank Bob Iger, Jimmy Pitaro, and my colleagues at ESPN for an incredible experience during my time there and for their support as I pursue the next chapter of my career."

• Joel Embiid Unlikely To Play Back-To-Back Games This Season

  Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is healthy and ready to play entering the regular season. That's a status the Sixers hope to keep all year. One of the ways Philadelphia is hoping to keep Embiid on the floor is by holding him out of one end of back-to-back games this season.

  The 76ers are scheduled to play 16 back-to-back games. That would mean Embiid would be limited to playing no more than 66 games, assuming he's healthy for the remainder of the schedule.

• Paul George Expected To Miss Opening Night, Making 'Significant Progress' In Knee Rehab

  Paul George is expected to miss opening night for the Philadelphia 76ers as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery, sources told Shams Charania of ESPN.

  George is making "significant progress" to returning to the court, but still needs to hit certain "checkmarks" before he is eligible to return.

  George is expected to make his season debut "shortly" into the regular season.

  George, who played just 41 games last season, underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in July.