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Why 76ers’ 2025-26 season was a success for Joel Embiid despite Knicks sweep
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- Why 76ers’ 2025-26 season was a success for Joel Embiid despite Knicks sweep
Why 76ers’ 2025-26 season was a success for Joel Embiid despite Knicks sweep appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid addressed the silver lining from the 2025-26 season despite seeing it come to an end after the New York Knicks ’ 4-0 sweep. After 76ers head coach Nick Nurse applauded Joel Embiid’s effort amidst battling through injuries throughout the playoffs, Embiid reflected on his personal success this season.
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Embiid looked back on how he approached the beginning of the regular season compared to how he feels watching it end in the second round of the playoffs, per PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck.
“We came into the season thinking there was not much left,” Embiid said. “I thought I was done.”
For that reason alone, Embiid considers the 2025-26 season a success , he said, per PHLY Sports’ Derek Bodner.
“For me, this [season] was a success. I came into this year not knowing where I’d be, how long I was going to play, if I was even going to be able to play…I came in hoping for best,” Embiid added. “I feel like we’re in a position where we figured out the knee. If it wasn’t for the oblique, some of the other stuff I had, it could have been different.”
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The Knicks defeated the 76ers 144-114 in Game 4.
Nick Nurse applauds Joel Embiid for 76ers playoff push
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Head coach Nick Nurse gave 76ers center Joel Embiid credit for making a return to their second-round series against the Knicks. Playing through hurdles, Embiid gave everything he had left , Nurse said, per PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck.
“I commend him, man, he worked his ass off to get out there and play,” Nurse said. “He certainly was trending upward toward the end of the Boston series…obviously, he gets the hip/ankle injury that took him out a game, and I don’t think he ever got back to where he was trending.”
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Embiid led the 76ers with 24 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting, including two threes, and drained 6-for-7 free-throw attempts against the Knicks.
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Related: 76ers most to blame for embarrassing playoff sweep at hands of Knicks
