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The Philadelphia 76ers open the 2025-26 season against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, and they'll aim to make a strong first impression after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
Philadelphia is coming off a 13th-place finish in the East last season, during which Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Jared McCain all missed extended periods due to injuries. While those injury concerns haven't disappeared just yet, Maxey is fully healthy and Embiid is trending in the right direction.
George is also trending upward following an arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent in July, while McCain underwent thumb surgery in late September and is expected to remain sidelined until at least early November. Embiid's lingering knee issues and overall durability are still a concern, but the 76ers have hope entering the 2025-26 campaign.
MORE: 76ers' Joel Embiid responds to critics who say he's not a top-100 player
76ers predicted for top-6 finish in East
The Sixers appear to be a near-contending team on paper, with multiple All-Stars and a few rising youngsters. However, it's impossible to assess their future without thinking about injuries. Still, Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey predicted that the team will finish the regular season with a playoff spot, avoiding the Play-In Tournament.
“It's risky to make any prediction that depends on the health of the Philadelphia 76ers, but Joel Embiid made a somewhat surprising preseason appearance last week and looks lighter and more spry than he did at any point in 2025-26,” Bailey wrote. “And even if we assume he misses 20-plus games, the East is weak enough (and Philadelphia is talented enough) to finish above the play-in range.”
The 76ers had extremely high expectations after signing George and drafting McCain last offseason, but expectations have certainly been tempered entering the 2025-26 campaign. Still, the talent is there, along with third overall pick V.J. Edgecombe.
What-if scenarios have been held over the Sixers for the past year, and with the amount of talent on the roster, it wouldn't be surprising to see them make a deep playoff run following their worst record since the 2015-16 season.
More 76ers news:
- 76ers' Joel Embiid says Adem Bona's energy 'goes a long way' next to him
- 76ers' Nick Nurse reveals Paul George's status for opening night
- Joel Embiid reflects on getting back to what he loves after injuries
- Quentin Grimes addresses his 76ers future after offseason contract talks
- 76ers coach Nick Nurse praises V.J. Edgecombe after preseason win
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