Derek Bodner
@derekbodner.bsky.social
Philadelphia 76ers reporter for PHLY.
Previously covered:
The 76ers for The Athletic and Philadelphia Magazine.
The NBA Draft for USA Today and DraftExpress.
I do have thoughts on the world, and occasionally I express them here.
[email protected]
Previously covered:
The 76ers for The Athletic and Philadelphia Magazine.
The NBA Draft for USA Today and DraftExpress.
I do have thoughts on the world, and occasionally I express them here.
[email protected]
Pinned
Derek Bodner
@derekbodner.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Added a bunch of people to the Philly sports reporters Starter Pack.
People are joining pretty quickly so I've undoubtedly missed a bunch, so just @ me with anybody that should be added to the list.
go.bsky.app/TULdnSA
People are joining pretty quickly so I've undoubtedly missed a bunch, so just @ me with anybody that should be added to the list.
go.bsky.app/TULdnSA
Update: THEY MADE A 3!
(Just 1. They're 1-17 from deep at the half).
Despite that, they trail the Magic by just 1, 54-53, in part because Orlando is shooting just 2-16 from 3 as well.
Maxey has 12 (3-12), Embiid 10 (3-10) for the Sixers. Black and Bane have 14 to lead ORL.
(Just 1. They're 1-17 from deep at the half).
Despite that, they trail the Magic by just 1, 54-53, in part because Orlando is shooting just 2-16 from 3 as well.
Maxey has 12 (3-12), Embiid 10 (3-10) for the Sixers. Black and Bane have 14 to lead ORL.
January 10, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Update: THEY MADE A 3!
(Just 1. They're 1-17 from deep at the half).
Despite that, they trail the Magic by just 1, 54-53, in part because Orlando is shooting just 2-16 from 3 as well.
Maxey has 12 (3-12), Embiid 10 (3-10) for the Sixers. Black and Bane have 14 to lead ORL.
(Just 1. They're 1-17 from deep at the half).
Despite that, they trail the Magic by just 1, 54-53, in part because Orlando is shooting just 2-16 from 3 as well.
Maxey has 12 (3-12), Embiid 10 (3-10) for the Sixers. Black and Bane have 14 to lead ORL.
Magic with a 28-24 lead over the Sixers after 1, with the Sixers shooting just 29% from the field and 0-11 (yikes!) from deep.
Desmond Bane has 8 for the Magic. PG (2-6), Maxey (1-8) and Embiid (1-6) are all struggling for the Sixers so far.
Desmond Bane has 8 for the Magic. PG (2-6), Maxey (1-8) and Embiid (1-6) are all struggling for the Sixers so far.
January 10, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Magic with a 28-24 lead over the Sixers after 1, with the Sixers shooting just 29% from the field and 0-11 (yikes!) from deep.
Desmond Bane has 8 for the Magic. PG (2-6), Maxey (1-8) and Embiid (1-6) are all struggling for the Sixers so far.
Desmond Bane has 8 for the Magic. PG (2-6), Maxey (1-8) and Embiid (1-6) are all struggling for the Sixers so far.
Reposted by Derek Bodner
Timberwolves hold a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good
January 9, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Timberwolves hold a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good
Justin Edwards has been assigned to the Delaware Blue Coats.
January 8, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Justin Edwards has been assigned to the Delaware Blue Coats.
I'm glad that I didn't make out what he said while it was happening, because there's NO WAY that I would have held it together. Bravo.
January 8, 2026 at 5:02 AM
I'm glad that I didn't make out what he said while it was happening, because there's NO WAY that I would have held it together. Bravo.
VJ Edgecombe attempted a few different poster dunks tonight, including one over Marvin Bagley III, but couldn't convert.
"I came up short. That probably would have been the best dunk of my career...I coulda made that. I'm mad that I ain't make it. I gotta make some dunks, man."
"I came up short. That probably would have been the best dunk of my career...I coulda made that. I'm mad that I ain't make it. I gotta make some dunks, man."
January 8, 2026 at 5:00 AM
VJ Edgecombe attempted a few different poster dunks tonight, including one over Marvin Bagley III, but couldn't convert.
"I came up short. That probably would have been the best dunk of my career...I coulda made that. I'm mad that I ain't make it. I gotta make some dunks, man."
"I came up short. That probably would have been the best dunk of my career...I coulda made that. I'm mad that I ain't make it. I gotta make some dunks, man."
Kelly Oubre Jr, on wearing a brace after coming back from the sprained left knee that kept him out for nearly two months:
"I hate it. But it is supportive, I will say that. But I don't like it. It's just messing my swag all the way up."
"I hate it. But it is supportive, I will say that. But I don't like it. It's just messing my swag all the way up."
January 8, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Kelly Oubre Jr, on wearing a brace after coming back from the sprained left knee that kept him out for nearly two months:
"I hate it. But it is supportive, I will say that. But I don't like it. It's just messing my swag all the way up."
"I hate it. But it is supportive, I will say that. But I don't like it. It's just messing my swag all the way up."
Paul George with a professional answer on his role.
"Joel, Tyrese are our two engines. Those guys are going to, rightfully so, demand attention. Demand the ball in moments to score and I gotta fit in...More than anything, defensively I know I can still be elite."
"Joel, Tyrese are our two engines. Those guys are going to, rightfully so, demand attention. Demand the ball in moments to score and I gotta fit in...More than anything, defensively I know I can still be elite."
January 8, 2026 at 4:43 AM
Paul George with a professional answer on his role.
"Joel, Tyrese are our two engines. Those guys are going to, rightfully so, demand attention. Demand the ball in moments to score and I gotta fit in...More than anything, defensively I know I can still be elite."
"Joel, Tyrese are our two engines. Those guys are going to, rightfully so, demand attention. Demand the ball in moments to score and I gotta fit in...More than anything, defensively I know I can still be elite."
Joel Embiid just dropped the most casual Doc Rivers joke ever, talking about how the Sixers needed to "stop playing with their meat."
Rivers, of course, screwed up the phrase back in the 2023 playoffs.
x.com/KyleNeubeck/...
Rivers, of course, screwed up the phrase back in the 2023 playoffs.
x.com/KyleNeubeck/...
January 8, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Joel Embiid just dropped the most casual Doc Rivers joke ever, talking about how the Sixers needed to "stop playing with their meat."
Rivers, of course, screwed up the phrase back in the 2023 playoffs.
x.com/KyleNeubeck/...
Rivers, of course, screwed up the phrase back in the 2023 playoffs.
x.com/KyleNeubeck/...
Nick Nurse on Joel Embiid: "I think he was sharper. Getting sharper, getting more aggressive. I'm always saying, when he's driving the ball it's a good thing. He was certainly taking it [inside] tonight."
January 8, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Nick Nurse on Joel Embiid: "I think he was sharper. Getting sharper, getting more aggressive. I'm always saying, when he's driving the ball it's a good thing. He was certainly taking it [inside] tonight."
Final: Sixers win 131-110.
- Embiid: 28 points on 10-14 shooting in 25 minutes.
- PG: 23/4/5 on 7-11.
- Maxey: 22/3/8 on 9-15.
Sixers shot 54%/39%/84% from the field/3/line in the win as the Sixers improve to 20-15.
- Embiid: 28 points on 10-14 shooting in 25 minutes.
- PG: 23/4/5 on 7-11.
- Maxey: 22/3/8 on 9-15.
Sixers shot 54%/39%/84% from the field/3/line in the win as the Sixers improve to 20-15.
January 8, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Final: Sixers win 131-110.
- Embiid: 28 points on 10-14 shooting in 25 minutes.
- PG: 23/4/5 on 7-11.
- Maxey: 22/3/8 on 9-15.
Sixers shot 54%/39%/84% from the field/3/line in the win as the Sixers improve to 20-15.
- Embiid: 28 points on 10-14 shooting in 25 minutes.
- PG: 23/4/5 on 7-11.
- Maxey: 22/3/8 on 9-15.
Sixers shot 54%/39%/84% from the field/3/line in the win as the Sixers improve to 20-15.
92-80 Sixers lead after 3.
Continues to be almost all from the Big 3, who have scored 72 of the Sixers' 92 points so far.
If you add in VJ and Barlow, the Sixers' starters have 90 of the team's 92 points, with Quentin Grimes scoring the remaining 2.
Continues to be almost all from the Big 3, who have scored 72 of the Sixers' 92 points so far.
If you add in VJ and Barlow, the Sixers' starters have 90 of the team's 92 points, with Quentin Grimes scoring the remaining 2.
January 8, 2026 at 1:45 AM
92-80 Sixers lead after 3.
Continues to be almost all from the Big 3, who have scored 72 of the Sixers' 92 points so far.
If you add in VJ and Barlow, the Sixers' starters have 90 of the team's 92 points, with Quentin Grimes scoring the remaining 2.
Continues to be almost all from the Big 3, who have scored 72 of the Sixers' 92 points so far.
If you add in VJ and Barlow, the Sixers' starters have 90 of the team's 92 points, with Quentin Grimes scoring the remaining 2.
62-56 Sixers lead at the half.
Great Maxey/Embiid/PG game, as they've combined for 52 points on 18-28 shooting.
Terrible bench game, as the 5 reserves that Nurse has used are a combined -60 plus minus and are shooting 1-9 from the field.
Great Maxey/Embiid/PG game, as they've combined for 52 points on 18-28 shooting.
Terrible bench game, as the 5 reserves that Nurse has used are a combined -60 plus minus and are shooting 1-9 from the field.
January 8, 2026 at 1:04 AM
62-56 Sixers lead at the half.
Great Maxey/Embiid/PG game, as they've combined for 52 points on 18-28 shooting.
Terrible bench game, as the 5 reserves that Nurse has used are a combined -60 plus minus and are shooting 1-9 from the field.
Great Maxey/Embiid/PG game, as they've combined for 52 points on 18-28 shooting.
Terrible bench game, as the 5 reserves that Nurse has used are a combined -60 plus minus and are shooting 1-9 from the field.
And .... that's an 11-0 Washington run to start the 2nd. Timeout Sixers, with the Wizards holding a 41-37 lead with 8:42 left in the half.
Sixers up 37-30 at the end of one, led largely by Tyrese Maxey, who's up to 16 points and 4 assists on 6-9 shooting. Joel Embiid has chipped in with 8 points and 3 rebounds on just 4 shots as well.
Sixers 54% from the field and 5-11 from 3 so far.
Sixers 54% from the field and 5-11 from 3 so far.
January 8, 2026 at 12:43 AM
And .... that's an 11-0 Washington run to start the 2nd. Timeout Sixers, with the Wizards holding a 41-37 lead with 8:42 left in the half.
Sixers up 37-30 at the end of one, led largely by Tyrese Maxey, who's up to 16 points and 4 assists on 6-9 shooting. Joel Embiid has chipped in with 8 points and 3 rebounds on just 4 shots as well.
Sixers 54% from the field and 5-11 from 3 so far.
Sixers 54% from the field and 5-11 from 3 so far.
January 8, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Sixers up 37-30 at the end of one, led largely by Tyrese Maxey, who's up to 16 points and 4 assists on 6-9 shooting. Joel Embiid has chipped in with 8 points and 3 rebounds on just 4 shots as well.
Sixers 54% from the field and 5-11 from 3 so far.
Sixers 54% from the field and 5-11 from 3 so far.
VJ Edgecombe was mostly invisible in the first 3 quarters, and has been absolutely incredible in the 4th and OT. Big 3s, huge defensive plays, constant hustle. He's up to 17/6/9 as the Sixers hold a 124-123 lead with 1:02 left in OT.
January 6, 2026 at 4:08 AM
VJ Edgecombe was mostly invisible in the first 3 quarters, and has been absolutely incredible in the 4th and OT. Big 3s, huge defensive plays, constant hustle. He's up to 17/6/9 as the Sixers hold a 124-123 lead with 1:02 left in OT.
Tyrese Maxey nearly loses the ball out of bounds, collects it and misses a desperation 3 as the clock expires. Free basketball.
January 6, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Tyrese Maxey nearly loses the ball out of bounds, collects it and misses a desperation 3 as the clock expires. Free basketball.
A couple of huge 3s from VJ Edgecombe and a transition layup from Tyrese Maxey and we have a 120-120 tie with 49.6 seconds left as the Sixers try to avoid one of the worst, if not the worst, losses of the season.
January 6, 2026 at 3:56 AM
A couple of huge 3s from VJ Edgecombe and a transition layup from Tyrese Maxey and we have a 120-120 tie with 49.6 seconds left as the Sixers try to avoid one of the worst, if not the worst, losses of the season.
Sixers finally put a bit of room between themselves and the Hospital Nuggets, outscoring them 35-29 in the 3rd to take a six point lead into the final 12 minutes.
Joel Embiid (26 on 10-16) and Tyrese Maxey (21 on 8-14) continue to do most of the heavy lifting for the Sixers.
Joel Embiid (26 on 10-16) and Tyrese Maxey (21 on 8-14) continue to do most of the heavy lifting for the Sixers.
January 6, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Sixers finally put a bit of room between themselves and the Hospital Nuggets, outscoring them 35-29 in the 3rd to take a six point lead into the final 12 minutes.
Joel Embiid (26 on 10-16) and Tyrese Maxey (21 on 8-14) continue to do most of the heavy lifting for the Sixers.
Joel Embiid (26 on 10-16) and Tyrese Maxey (21 on 8-14) continue to do most of the heavy lifting for the Sixers.
A Quentin Grimes corner 3 ties the score at 58 at the half. Not the sharpest half the Sixers have played this year, but 24 minutes to correct that.
Joel Embiid (15/5 on 7-11) and Tyrese Maxey (13/4/3 on 5-9) lead the way for the Sixers. Jalen Pickett has 14 for Denver.
Joel Embiid (15/5 on 7-11) and Tyrese Maxey (13/4/3 on 5-9) lead the way for the Sixers. Jalen Pickett has 14 for Denver.
January 6, 2026 at 2:38 AM
A Quentin Grimes corner 3 ties the score at 58 at the half. Not the sharpest half the Sixers have played this year, but 24 minutes to correct that.
Joel Embiid (15/5 on 7-11) and Tyrese Maxey (13/4/3 on 5-9) lead the way for the Sixers. Jalen Pickett has 14 for Denver.
Joel Embiid (15/5 on 7-11) and Tyrese Maxey (13/4/3 on 5-9) lead the way for the Sixers. Jalen Pickett has 14 for Denver.
Denver finished the quarter on a 5-0 run after the Sixers had (briefly) climbed back to grab the lead, and the Nuggets are up 29-26 at the end of 1.
Joel Embiid has 11/3/1 in 9 first quarter minutes, with Maxey adding in 8/4/2. Sixers are just 2-9 from deep so far.
Joel Embiid has 11/3/1 in 9 first quarter minutes, with Maxey adding in 8/4/2. Sixers are just 2-9 from deep so far.
January 6, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Denver finished the quarter on a 5-0 run after the Sixers had (briefly) climbed back to grab the lead, and the Nuggets are up 29-26 at the end of 1.
Joel Embiid has 11/3/1 in 9 first quarter minutes, with Maxey adding in 8/4/2. Sixers are just 2-9 from deep so far.
Joel Embiid has 11/3/1 in 9 first quarter minutes, with Maxey adding in 8/4/2. Sixers are just 2-9 from deep so far.
The Sixers came out extremely flat in their first game back from their 5 game road trip, but Joel Embiid has kept them in it. Embiid's up to 7 points on 3-3 shooting, and just had a nice assist to Dominick Barlow for an and-1.
16-11 Nuggets lead with 6:56 left in the first.
16-11 Nuggets lead with 6:56 left in the first.
January 6, 2026 at 1:51 AM
The Sixers came out extremely flat in their first game back from their 5 game road trip, but Joel Embiid has kept them in it. Embiid's up to 7 points on 3-3 shooting, and just had a nice assist to Dominick Barlow for an and-1.
16-11 Nuggets lead with 6:56 left in the first.
16-11 Nuggets lead with 6:56 left in the first.
Sixers starters: Maxey, Edgecombe, George, Barlow and Embiid.
January 6, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Sixers starters: Maxey, Edgecombe, George, Barlow and Embiid.
Tyrese Maxey won Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 34.7 points and 8.7 assists, with the Sixers going a perfect 3-0.
Joel Embiid was also a nominee for the award.
Joel Embiid was also a nominee for the award.
January 5, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Tyrese Maxey won Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 34.7 points and 8.7 assists, with the Sixers going a perfect 3-0.
Joel Embiid was also a nominee for the award.
Joel Embiid was also a nominee for the award.
Justin Edwards has been recalled from the Delaware Blue Coats.
January 4, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Justin Edwards has been recalled from the Delaware Blue Coats.