The Philadelphia 76ers returned from the NBA All-Star break to face the Atlanta Hawks at home, once again missing key star Joel Embiid. This marked Embiid’s third consecutive game absent from the lineup, continuing a pattern of intermittent play since early February due to knee soreness that has affected him repeatedly over the past year.
Embiid’s ongoing injuries are causing turbulence for Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers, as the team struggles with inconsistent rotations and roles. Maxey described the difficulties of adapting to different responsibilities on the court amid the team’s fluctuating lineup and tough competition.
It definitely is [tough] playing multiple styles of basketball,
Maxey said after the team’s 10-point loss to Atlanta.
That’s why I said for myself, like a couple of games ago. Like, it’s weird, you know, I’ve had a successful year, but I’ve played three different roles. You know what I mean? And that’s difficult, but it comes with it sometimes.
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Philadelphia 76ers’ Roster Issues Create Ongoing Struggles
The 2024-2025 season began with significant absences for Philadelphia, as both Joel Embiid and Paul George started the year off the court due to injuries. Maxey himself missed time early in the season due to injury, which contributed to a challenging environment for the team to find cohesion after a down year.
Initially, Embiid was healthy and performing near All-Star level, and Paul George’s eventual return brought some consistency. However, George’s suspension after 27 games and Embiid’s recurring knee and shin issues have left the Sixers navigating uncertainty. Despite not appearing serious enough to sideline Embiid for an extended stretch, his day-to-day status has coincided with a three-game losing streak, unsettling the team.
Maxey and Edgecombe Reflect on Team’s Difficulties and Need for Resilience
The pressure of Embiid’s absence is felt across the roster, not just by Maxey. Rookie VJ Edgecombe also expressed the impact of missing their star player and the challenge of stepping up amid these circumstances.
We miss Joel, I’m being honest, we miss Joel—it’s that simple,
Edgecombe stated.
He’s a walking 30 points. He’s a big presence, he requires so much gravity. So, now all of the attention is on Tyrese and we got to make his job easier. Obviously, I’m going to be honest, we miss Joel, bro. … But his health is more important than anything. We just pray that Joel feels 100 percent.
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers rookie
Despite this, the team is aware that dwelling on absence alone won’t secure victories. Maxey reiterated that the current roster must focus on making plays and maintaining aggressiveness on the court regardless of who is available.
That’s not an excuse that you can use,
Maxey said.
You gotta go out there with what we have out there and try to win games. Like, we’re in the games, have chances to win, playing a bad third quarter, slow start to the fourth quarter, and just couldn’t recover. We got to make plays, man. We gotta make plays. Guys gotta make plays. Just gotta go out there and be aggressive. Don’t be nervous or scared to make a play, or make a mistake. Be aggressive, man, and go out there, and just play.
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Sixers’ Recent Performance and Outlook Without Embiid
Maxey and Edgecombe combined for 48 points during the recent loss to the Atlanta Hawks, but their efforts were not enough to secure a win as the Hawks defeated the Sixers 117-107 in South Philadelphia. Philadelphia currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference, holding a 30-25 record as they prepare for their upcoming back-to-back games.
The team has yet to collapse under pressure, but frustration is mounting. The potential return of Joel Embiid this weekend could be pivotal. The Sixers plan to reassess Embiid’s health before their Saturday game against the New Orleans Pelicans, with the possibility he could play either Saturday in New Orleans or Sunday against Minnesota depending on his evaluation.
Philadelphians and fans alike anticipate that Embiid’s return would provide a critical boost as the Sixers work to regain momentum and better navigate the remainder of their season amid ongoing injury setbacks.
"I'm having a successful year, but I played three different roles."
Tyrese Maxey has had to adapt from game to game based on which teammates are available. | @FultonBank pic.twitter.com/hwR8thnhKL
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 20, 2026
𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐬 𝟏𝟏𝟕, 𝐒𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝟕
“We miss Joel. It’s that simple. He’s a walking 30 points.” -VJ Edgecombe pic.twitter.com/g3leGqzxQ3
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) February 20, 2026
