The Winners and Losers of the 76ers Season So Far
Dec 23, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) celebrates with guard Tyrese Maxey (0) after dunking the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Now that the 76ers are entering their final stretch, perspective matters more than ever. The games are more important now, the stars need to shine brighter, and everyone needs to turn their game up another level.
The Sixers, 60 games in and 1.5 up for the final playoff spot, which feels thinner than it should, are due for some evaluation. Not just wins and losses, but expectations and reality. This 76ers season has had some surprises. Some players have elevated their status in ways that reshape the franchise’s future. Others have left the organization wondering what could have been.
As April looms, here are the winners and the losers of the Sixers’ season, 73% through the season.
Winners:
Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey came into this season labeled as the Robin to Joel Embiid‘s Batman, but he proved that he is far beyond that comparison. Maxey, through 59 games, leads the team with 29.1 points per game and almost 7 assists per game. Alongside this, he leads the league in steals per game while putting up a solid rebound and block total. Maxey, by the end of this season, could very well be put up for an MVP bid, and rightfully so, has shown night in and night out that he is the future of the 76ers.
What separates this jump from previous hot stretches is sustainability. Maxey’s usage rate has skyrocketed, yet his efficiency hasn’t waned. He’s handling traps better, creating for others, and closing games. The conversation isn’t whether he’s a star anymore, it’s whether he’s a top-10 player in the league. He’s not a Joel Embiid co-star; he is the star.
VJ Edgecombe
76ers standout rookie VJ Edgecombe has proven that he has a purpose in this league. With his explosive athleticism, Edgecombe has shown flashes of being Maxey’s star guard duo for the future. Due to VJ’s consistently positive output, the 76ers were willing to trade the former “SG of the future” in Jared McCain. As of today, Edgecombe sits at third on the odds to win OROY, and with 15 points per game, and being a constant highlight reel on social media, the future is only up for VJ Edgecombe.
Quentin Grimes
Since making his move to Philadelphia, Grimes has been one of the best 6th men in the NBA. Currently, Grimes is scoring around 13 points per game coming off the bench. Grimes plays a key role in the rotation, giving Maxey and Edgecombe time to rest while continuing to contribute to the 76ers’ success, even offering the 76ers a solid +/- to sustain success when the starters are resting. With his impact off the bench, the 76ers can thrive without the stars as well, which has made Grimes a clear winner as a 76er.
Joel Embiid
The final player who can say this season is a major success is the 76ers’ leading man, Joel Embiid. Embiid spent the offseason in rumor purgatory, with everyone wondering if he was done or if his time in Philly had come to an end. So far, Embiid has proven that all to be nonsense. Overall, he is scoring almost 27 points per game alongside 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Since December 12, he’s averaging 30 points per night. The numbers suggest he simply needed time, as he is doing all of this in just 31 minutes a game, as the 76ers hold a 21-12 record (52-30 on 82 game scale) when he is on the court.
For the first time in years, Embiid isn’t carrying a 35+ minute burden nightly. The Sixers are managing him gradually when healthy, and that may be the biggest win of the season. If Philadelphia enters the playoffs with a rested Embiid instead of a worn-down one, everything changes.
Losers:
Jared McCain
Although he is not a 76er anymore, his time prior to his trade was not his best. In his 37 games returning from his injury last season, McCain scored just under 7 points per game in around 17 minutes per game. With a shooting percentage of 38.5%, his efficiency was a shell of his rookie season. With his offensive presence almost nonexistent and his defense still lacking, the 76ers traded McCain to the Thunder for a 1st round pick and three 2nd rounders, which turned out to backfire. The McCain trade signaled urgency. It’s a move that is beginning to haunt them.
Adem Bona
With Andre Drummond aging, Bona’s expectations as Embiid’s replacement were high heading into this season. Unfortunately, Bona took a step back in year two. After averaging 15 and 8 in extended minutes last year, Bona hasn’t found the same rhythm in a reduced role this season. Bona is still a young player with plenty of time to improve, but 2025-26 has not been that time.
Paul George
Paul George has shown a lot of flashes as the player Philadelphia thought they signed in 2024. But with nearly two seasons under his belt, it is getting close to time to admit that his time as a 76er has been nothing more than underwhelming. Paul George was signed for a massive dollar amount, getting paid more than $50 million per year. This season, with the “first season jitters” out of the way, George has fewer points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, and similar defensive stats in just 2 minutes less of gameplay. Along with this, to add to the struggle that has been his time as a 76er, George is currently in the middle of his 25-game suspension, which will end when the 76ers play the Bulls on March 25. Paying for a $50 million player should come with a championship, yet in George’s case, it has come with suspensions, podcasts, and 16 points per game.
Daryl Morey
While not a player, Morey has not had the prettiest season either. First of all, is the outcome of Paul George’s contract. Morey paid George $50 million a year, completely gutting the 76ers’ ability to get any new pieces over that span. Along with that, Morey immediately let McCain go for a first-round pick that will likely come in the 25-30th overall range. Since 2020, the Sixers have cycled through co-stars, retooled the roster, and yet remain in the same tier: competitive, but not elite. Unfortunately, it appears Morey’s tenure in Philadelphia has not been the strongest, and will continue this way for the near future.
Isaac Baranski
Isaac is a high-school senior who currently attends the Hun School of Princeton. In his free time, he has many interests, but most of all is his love for Philadelphia sports. He has watched the 76ers since the days of Sam Hinkie and hopes to watch the process be completed. He has also watched the Phillies since the days of Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and the great crew, and hopes to see Red October finally achieve its goal. Along with that, he picked up a love for the Philadelphia Union shortly before the pandemic, and has seen them win multiple Supporters’ Shields in person. Lastly, and most importantly, he is a major football lover and an even bigger Eagles lover. Since developing his love for The Birds in elementary school, he has made it his goal to never miss a game.
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