Sixers Skate by Mavericks at Home in 118-116 Win in Embiids Return

Embiid took the court for the first time in exactly a month tonight as the Sixers took on a Mavericks team, not exactly having a great week with the fanbase still reeling from the blockbuster deal.

The Sixers were still shorthanded despite the big man’s return, going into the game still with Paul George, Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry, and Eric Gordon.

KJ Martin was downgraded to out just before game time with a trade pending. It sounds like the Sixers are weighing multiple options for Martin, with a deal expected to be completed by tomorrow.

The Return of the MVP

Like I just mentioned the story of the day for the Sixers, other than the Caleb Martin trade, was Joel Embiid‘s return to action. Embiid hadn’t played in a month even, last playing January 4th against the Nets where he dropped 28/12/6.

Embiid’s return was a solid one, returning with his first triple-double of the season. He started off sluggish, not quite looking like himself on both ends of the court, but as the game progressed, he looked more and more like himself, especially in the 4th quarter. Embiid would score the go-ahead bucket to put the Sixers up 117-116 with less than a minute left, along with some clutch rebounding and free throws to put the game away.

Joel Embiid with a triple-double in his return:

36 MIN
29 PTS
11 REB
10 AST

Sixers are 8-3 with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in the lineup this season.pic.twitter.com/IfIYuDaJnn

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) February 5, 2025

Tyrese Maxey stayed hot, dropping 33 with just about everything going for him but the 3 ball tonight, going 3-11 from distance. Tyrese facilitated the offense in this one, putting up a respectable 33/4/13 on 13-22 shooting.

Justin Edwards and Guerschon Yabusele both continued their runs of solid play, putting up 16 and 19 respectively. Emphasis on the rookie Justin Edwards who is fighting to keep his minutes as Paul George inches closer to returning, and the newest Sixer Quentin Grimes all set to be slotted into the rotation come time.

Ricky Council IV, who will be looking at an increase in usage with Martin now shipped off, provided the Sixers a boost from beyond the arch. Ricky recorded 2 timely threes’ as he continues to make himself useful in a variety of ways when given the chance. It’ll be fun to keep an eye out on how Nick Nurse will use Council as more and more bodies return to the rotation.

Like a Fine Wine, Kyrie Just Gets Better With Age

No secret that Kyrie Irving is dealing with some increased pressure with Luka Doncic now off the team, for the first time since he was on the Nets, Kyrie will be asked to be the leader of that backcourt and most likely the main ball handler as well.

Kyrie did not disappoint tonight, showing off his magician esc skills all game putting up 34/9/4 in his best effort to keep the Mavs in the game.

Kyrie Irving tonight:

34 Points
9 Rebounds
4 Assists
52% FG pic.twitter.com/PN7kFNubMo

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 5, 2025

The Sixers also struggled to contain Max Christie from distance. In his Mavericks debut, the former Laker was a perfect 4-4 from the arch and was a huge reason why Dallas took an early lead.

Naji Marshall also carved out a respectable night off of the bench against the Sixers’ defense, he was able to muster 19/4/5 on 6-13 shooting.

As for the takeaway for Dallas, this game highlighted everything wrong with trading away your 25-year-old superstar. Ok maybe not everything, but past Kyrie there was nobody else who was able to consistently get buckets for an extended period of time.

Do they win this game with Anthony Davis? Yeah probably, but this will be far from the only time they’ll have to fly without AD given his injury history.

Enough said about the Mavericks, you get the point. TLDR: Trade face of franchise = bad.

Not Dead Yet

While the Sixers’ schedule isn’t exactly an easy one for the next couple of weeks, most of the games are winnable outside of maybe 3-5.

The win puts the team at 20-29, just a win outside of the Play-In Tournament, and if we want to get really optimistic they’re just 5 games back of the 6 seed.

Now it goes without saying that Daryl Morey won’t exactly be making an “all in push” at the deadline 9 games under .500 so reinforcements, outside of injuries, aren’t coming.

Best-case scenario they somehow turn the season around, yes I’m still a little delusional. Worst-case scenario they don’t and we just focus on the Eagles, Phillies season starting soon, and Matvei Michkov specifically.

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