The Philadelphia 76ers got off to a good start to their 2025-26 NBA season, after defeating the Boston Celtics 117-116 on the road.
Tyrese Maxey led the way for Philadelphia with 40 points while rookie VJ Edgecombe dropped 34 to tally the highest scoring output ever recorded by a Sixers player in their first NBA game, as per the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Joel Embiid however had a rough outing to begin the year. After only making 19 appearances last season, Embiid played around 20 minutes in Philadelphia’s opener, however he only shot one out of nine from the floor for a total of four points, as per NBA.com.
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Such a disappointing performance would leave many Sixers fans feeling nervous about whether the former league MVP is still capable of being one of the premier centers in the game.
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But as far as legendary big man Shaquille O’Neal is concerned, Embiid can no longer be considered as such, at least for now.
“He’s (Embiid) just been unconsidered for NBA top big man. He’s out of the list now. You can tell him I said it,” O’Neal said about Embiid while speaking on The Big Podcast with Shaq.
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“As I can remember two, three years ago, it was him and Joker (Nikola Jokic), they were neck and neck. Joker has him by far now. It’s disappointing.”
Oct 22, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) wipes sweat from his face during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Overall, O’Neal would like to see Embiid get back to his best and he hopes his words can light a fire inside the two-time scoring champion.
“And I hope he hears this and I hope he gets mad and I hope he dominates, but that hasn’t been the case,” O’Neal said.
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If the 76ers continue to win games as the season progresses like they did against Boston, then they may be afforded the luxury of easing Embiid back into the fold after his injury riddled campaign last year. Ultimately however, a fit and firing Joel Embiid likely gives Philadelphia the best chance of truly contending in the East this season.
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