News Article
Published
Oct 23, 2026 at 03:23 PM EDT
For two quarters, Joel Embiid looked like a man relearning his own game.
The Philadelphia 76ers center went 3 of 10 for nine points before intermission against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the team’s first home game on Oct. 22. After the break, he hit 5 of 6 shots for 15 in a 114-106 win.
Embiid pinned the slow start on timing when he spoke postgame.
“First half today, just still trying to figure out my spots,” Embiid said. “It almost feels like I haven’t been healthy in so long that I forgot how to play basketball and when I’m extremely successful on the floor.”
He finished with 24 points on 8-for-16 shooting and seven rebounds across 34 minutes.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 32 points. Jaylen Brown chipped in 21, while LeBron James posted 17 points and 10 rebounds in the biggest rally he’s ever been part of.
Cleveland built a lead as large as 29 and still held a 25-point cushion at halftime. Philadelphia had 14 turnovers by then, two more than it committed in its entire win over the New York Knicks, the defending NBA champions.
Long-range shooting had almost nothing to do with it. The Sixers outscored Cleveland 69-37 after halftime while making 3 of 13 from 3-point range and finished 7-for-28 overall.
“I don’t remember the last time I saw a team making that type of comeback just on 2s,” Embiid said.
By his own count, it was “probably a top-five night for me since I’ve been in Philadelphia.”
Cleveland’s James Harden, who left the Sixers shortly after the 2023-24 campaign began, found himself opposite Embiid on a handful of possessions. Embiid said they’ve made peace.
“Me and James were great,” Embiid said. “We talked all night.” He put Harden at “probably a top-three player I’ve ever played with.”
Doing it nightly isn’t the plan. Embiid conceded he’d rather the Sixers avoid holes like that one, given how much energy a climb of 29 points takes.
Next up for the 2-0 76ers is the Milwaukee Bucks, who visit on Oct. 24 for the first night of a back-to-back.