Imagine waiting over two months for a moment that could reignite a team's spark—and then it finally happens. Joel Embiid's first dunk of the 2025-26 NBA season wasn't just a highlight; it was a symbol of the Philadelphia 76ers' resurgence. But here's where it gets controversial: was this dunk a game-changer or just a playful moment in a blowout win? Let’s dive in.
In a 130-119 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Embiid's long-awaited dunk came in the final moments of the game, with the outcome already decided. The Sixers celebrated with a mock fanfare, turning the moment into a lighthearted highlight. Embiid, who finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, downplayed the dunk with a smile, saying, 'It was whatever... I wish it would have been one off the backboard. That's the next step.'
Rookie VJ Edgecombe, who matched Embiid's 26 points, joked that the star center 'actually got up a little bit' on the play. Tyrese Maxey, the game's leading scorer with 36 points, playfully took credit for the dunk, saying, 'I dropped him a pass thinking he wasn’t going to dunk it. Now he’s telling me to throw him a lob—we’ll see how that goes.'
Coach Nick Nurse added a humorous twist: 'It was a pretty cheap way of getting it, but at least we know he can still dunk.' The locker room's playful mood reflected the team's third straight win, capping a successful 10-day road trip.
And this is the part most people miss: while the Knicks were on the second night of a back-to-back, dismissing their loss as fatigue would overlook Philadelphia's dominant performance. The Sixers are proving just how explosive they can be when at full strength—a prospect that could become reality soon with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford nearing returns.
Paul George summed it up: 'We trust in the process of this team... We're starting to enjoy the game and gel as a unit.' With 11 of their next 15 games at home, the Sixers are in their best position in years, both in terms of health and continuity.
For Embiid, this season marks a return to form, both on and off the court. Reflecting on his first game back at Madison Square Garden since the 2024 playoff loss, he quipped, 'I love being here... It’s always fun to go back-and-forth with the fans. Sometimes it’s good to be liked. Sometimes it’s good to be hated.'
But here’s the real question: Is this Sixers team finally ready to reclaim relevance in the Eastern Conference after last year’s disastrous season? Saturday’s win moved them just a half-game out of fourth place in the wide-open East. As Nurse put it, 'We’re still digging out of a big hole, but we’re building.'
What do you think? Is Embiid’s dunk a sign of bigger things to come, or just a fun moment in a winning streak? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
