Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 9h

There are a bunch of players in all sports who are available to play every day because they don't have the requisite abilities to get into action and jeopardize future availability.

1

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 10h

People saying “the best ability is availability” is like fingernails on a chalk board. A ridiculous concept.

1 2

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 12h

Joel Embiid fist-bumped fans, chatted with people courtside during dead balls, and smiled and joked.

He seems to have recovered his game.

But he seems to have re-discovered his joy for the job.

On a return 8 months in the making @onpattison.bsky.social:

onpattison.com/news/2025/oc...

Joel Embiid doesn’t want to think about the past, but he’s re-connecting with his former self | OnPattison

This version of Embiid is wiser and yet seemingly different from the version we've seen over the past two seasons.

onpattison.com

11

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 22h

Asked Joel Embiid about where he is in the process of learning to trust his body again.

He gave an insightful answer on where he is mentally:

2

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 22h

Embiid on the thinking behind his hit-ahead passes tonight: “I see all these guys. I’m here to help out. According to a lot of your peers, I’m not even a top 100 basketball player in this league. So I guess I just gotta fit in and see where I can help the team win.”

1 4

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 22h

Embiid on excitement to return tonight:

“It hit me when I took that first terrible shot. I don’t know what I was doing. But I just felt like, ‘Well, I have the ball’. I don’t even know if anyone was in front of me. I just felt like shooting. I thought I made it and it wasn’t even close.”

4

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 23h

Embiid says he came out of the game feeling pretty good. Called this a "learning process" and he'll see how it feels tomorrow.

6

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 23h

Wolves 110, Sixers 126

Edgecombe and Grimes rocked. A launching point for Embiid, hopefully. Offense 👍👍.

4

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Sixers by 7 at halftime.

Embiid looked rusty at times, which to be expected. But he played like he trusted his body in a way that he didn't show really at all last season.

8

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

They're running Embiid off pin-downs for catch-and-shoot 3s. This is hoops.

5

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

If you told me Edgecombe had 6 deflections already in this game, I'd believe it.

2

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Edgecombe already has like 3 touchdowns in this game.

4

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Of course, it doesn't mean a ton in preseason. But you can see good habits building.

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Since the first preseason game, and particularly over the last two, Nick Nurse's offense has looked purposeful and regimented.

Screening and cutting all over the floor, ton of activity. The process has been very encouraging, results....well, it looks like preseason.

2 6

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

It is funny seeing Embiid throw a post entry pass to Maxey. It was on target but too hard and went out of bounds.

1 6

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

About as big an ovation as you're gonna get in a preseason game for Joel Embiid.

4

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Sixers starters, officially:

Maxey
Edgecombe
Oubre
Embiid
Bona (wowza)

6

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Quick pregame reading on what the Sixers are expecting in Joel Embiid's preseason debut @onpattison.bsky.social

onpattison.com/news/2025/oc...

What the Sixers are expecting in Joel Embiid’s preseason debut | OnPattison

Nick Nurse couldn't name a full starting lineup during his media availability ahead of Friday's preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves. One thing he could promise? Joel Embiid would be in...

onpattison.com

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Chris Finch told reporters that he fully expects the Sixers to be near the top of the East this season and have a big bounce-back year.

"You can sense the confidence in their ability to do that when I talked to [Nurse] this summer."

1 9

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Nick Nurse says he's "heading in the direction" of making Edgecombe an opening night starter.

8

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

4 of the 5 starters for tonight (5th TBD):

Maxey
Edgecombe
Oubre
Embiid

3 5

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Nick Nurse wouldn't give a hard number of minutes for Embiid tonight, anticipates it'll be on the shorter side. Hoping to see him play into the second half.

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Inactives for tonight:

Jared McCain
Paul George
Kyle Lowry
Trendon Watford

Everyone else is green light.

1

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

Can you guess which Sixer is wearing these shoes?

1

Austin Krell @austinkrell.bsky.social · 1d

A Sixers spokesperson has made it official:

Joel Embiid will be available for tonight’s preseason game vs the Timberwolves.