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]
After today's practice, Dominick Barlow was asked what he's learned about playing next to Joel Embiid.
"I've learned that sometimes you just gotta get the hell out of the way."
"I've learned that sometimes you just gotta get the hell out of the way."
January 17, 2026 at 10:26 PM
After today's practice, Dominick Barlow was asked what he's learned about playing next to Joel Embiid.
"I've learned that sometimes you just gotta get the hell out of the way."
"I've learned that sometimes you just gotta get the hell out of the way."
"They had a lot more energy than we did, for whatever reason. Every facet of the game they took it to us."
Nick Nurse on tonight's 133-107 loss to the Cavs.
Nick Nurse on tonight's 133-107 loss to the Cavs.
January 15, 2026 at 4:09 AM
"They had a lot more energy than we did, for whatever reason. Every facet of the game they took it to us."
Nick Nurse on tonight's 133-107 loss to the Cavs.
Nick Nurse on tonight's 133-107 loss to the Cavs.
Yeah. I included this note in the article b/c of the small sample size.
January 14, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Yeah. I included this note in the article b/c of the small sample size.
Joel Embiid's dominant again, and he's *exactly* what Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe need.
I dove into the details of that in a new series I'm bringing out: the Sixers stat of the week.
allphly.com/joel-embiids...
I dove into the details of that in a new series I'm bringing out: the Sixers stat of the week.
allphly.com/joel-embiids...
January 14, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Joel Embiid's dominant again, and he's *exactly* what Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe need.
I dove into the details of that in a new series I'm bringing out: the Sixers stat of the week.
allphly.com/joel-embiids...
I dove into the details of that in a new series I'm bringing out: the Sixers stat of the week.
allphly.com/joel-embiids...
Enjoying a beverage the only way society should find acceptable.
January 10, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Enjoying a beverage the only way society should find acceptable.
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/...
Going live now to react to the Sixers' beatdown at the hands of SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
youtube.com/live/uP6fYMM...
youtube.com/live/uP6fYMM...
December 28, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Going live now to react to the Sixers' beatdown at the hands of SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
youtube.com/live/uP6fYMM...
youtube.com/live/uP6fYMM...
Joel Embiid hyperextended his right knee in the third quarter last night, but returned a few minutes later.
Overall, the big man is happy with where he is physically.
"My body feels pretty good. I'm moving much better offensively, and defensively I'm able to trust myself more."
Overall, the big man is happy with where he is physically.
"My body feels pretty good. I'm moving much better offensively, and defensively I'm able to trust myself more."
December 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Joel Embiid hyperextended his right knee in the third quarter last night, but returned a few minutes later.
Overall, the big man is happy with where he is physically.
"My body feels pretty good. I'm moving much better offensively, and defensively I'm able to trust myself more."
Overall, the big man is happy with where he is physically.
"My body feels pretty good. I'm moving much better offensively, and defensively I'm able to trust myself more."
VJ Edgecombe has some lofty expectations for what he and Tyrese Maxey can develop into.
"One of the greatest [backcourt pairings] ever," Edgecombe said after the win.
Last night certainly provided a glimpse of what they're capable of.
allphly.com/tyrese-maxey...
"One of the greatest [backcourt pairings] ever," Edgecombe said after the win.
Last night certainly provided a glimpse of what they're capable of.
allphly.com/tyrese-maxey...
December 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
VJ Edgecombe has some lofty expectations for what he and Tyrese Maxey can develop into.
"One of the greatest [backcourt pairings] ever," Edgecombe said after the win.
Last night certainly provided a glimpse of what they're capable of.
allphly.com/tyrese-maxey...
"One of the greatest [backcourt pairings] ever," Edgecombe said after the win.
Last night certainly provided a glimpse of what they're capable of.
allphly.com/tyrese-maxey...
Reporter: "What do you think you two [Edgecombe and Maxey] can be as a duo?"
VJ Edgecombe: "One of the greatest ever."
VJ Edgecombe: "One of the greatest ever."
December 21, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Reporter: "What do you think you two [Edgecombe and Maxey] can be as a duo?"
VJ Edgecombe: "One of the greatest ever."
VJ Edgecombe: "One of the greatest ever."
Nick Nurse on Jared McCain's improved play.
"He goes 3-11 and played awesome...It looks to me like his conditioning, his physical activity is looking better. Wait 'til he goes about 7-10 from 3 one of these nights, because that's coming too."
"He goes 3-11 and played awesome...It looks to me like his conditioning, his physical activity is looking better. Wait 'til he goes about 7-10 from 3 one of these nights, because that's coming too."
December 21, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Nick Nurse on Jared McCain's improved play.
"He goes 3-11 and played awesome...It looks to me like his conditioning, his physical activity is looking better. Wait 'til he goes about 7-10 from 3 one of these nights, because that's coming too."
"He goes 3-11 and played awesome...It looks to me like his conditioning, his physical activity is looking better. Wait 'til he goes about 7-10 from 3 one of these nights, because that's coming too."
Tyrese Maxey on stepping in front of Anthony Davis to draw a charge.
"[Kyle Lowry] did not believe in me. I told him 'this is a charge'. Review it. Go ahead. I don't care."
"I think that's like my 3rd one on the season. I'm proud of myself in that aspect."
"[Kyle Lowry] did not believe in me. I told him 'this is a charge'. Review it. Go ahead. I don't care."
"I think that's like my 3rd one on the season. I'm proud of myself in that aspect."
December 21, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Tyrese Maxey on stepping in front of Anthony Davis to draw a charge.
"[Kyle Lowry] did not believe in me. I told him 'this is a charge'. Review it. Go ahead. I don't care."
"I think that's like my 3rd one on the season. I'm proud of myself in that aspect."
"[Kyle Lowry] did not believe in me. I told him 'this is a charge'. Review it. Go ahead. I don't care."
"I think that's like my 3rd one on the season. I'm proud of myself in that aspect."
Dominick Barlow spoke at length on what led to his career night against the Mavs:
"Attacking closeouts really got me going early."
"We have guards that demand a lot of attention. If it's a fake DHO or a straight line drive, guys aren't help off (them) as much."
"Attacking closeouts really got me going early."
"We have guards that demand a lot of attention. If it's a fake DHO or a straight line drive, guys aren't help off (them) as much."
December 21, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Dominick Barlow spoke at length on what led to his career night against the Mavs:
"Attacking closeouts really got me going early."
"We have guards that demand a lot of attention. If it's a fake DHO or a straight line drive, guys aren't help off (them) as much."
"Attacking closeouts really got me going early."
"We have guards that demand a lot of attention. If it's a fake DHO or a straight line drive, guys aren't help off (them) as much."
Sixers vs Knicks box at the half.
December 20, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Sixers vs Knicks box at the half.
Update: Joel Embiid has been downgraded to OUT for tonight's game against the Knicks due to an illness. He was previously listed as questionable earlier this morning.
Full injury report below.
sixers.wiki/Injury+Report
Full injury report below.
sixers.wiki/Injury+Report
December 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Update: Joel Embiid has been downgraded to OUT for tonight's game against the Knicks due to an illness. He was previously listed as questionable earlier this morning.
Full injury report below.
sixers.wiki/Injury+Report
Full injury report below.
sixers.wiki/Injury+Report
Embiid: "I want to play more as a team, making sure everybody is involved. If somebody has to sacrifice, I will.
"But in some occasions, when I got it going or nights like tonight, it's gonna happen. I don't expect having to do this when everybody's healthy, but I will if I have to."
"But in some occasions, when I got it going or nights like tonight, it's gonna happen. I don't expect having to do this when everybody's healthy, but I will if I have to."
December 13, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Embiid: "I want to play more as a team, making sure everybody is involved. If somebody has to sacrifice, I will.
"But in some occasions, when I got it going or nights like tonight, it's gonna happen. I don't expect having to do this when everybody's healthy, but I will if I have to."
"But in some occasions, when I got it going or nights like tonight, it's gonna happen. I don't expect having to do this when everybody's healthy, but I will if I have to."
After the game, Joel Embiid laughed about his step-back 3 at the 2nd quarter buzzer being the one that broke his 0-14 drought from behind the line.
"Out of all the 3s that I take, that's the one I make. The hardest one, off the dribble."
"Out of all the 3s that I take, that's the one I make. The hardest one, off the dribble."
December 13, 2025 at 4:39 AM
After the game, Joel Embiid laughed about his step-back 3 at the 2nd quarter buzzer being the one that broke his 0-14 drought from behind the line.
"Out of all the 3s that I take, that's the one I make. The hardest one, off the dribble."
"Out of all the 3s that I take, that's the one I make. The hardest one, off the dribble."
Joel Embiid seemed to be hopeful that the previous schedule he was on, at least two days off after each game, might be at a point where it could be re-evaluated.
"We're gonna talk about it. I feel great. It's up to them. I'll fight for it. If I'm not allowed or if I can't, then it is what it is."
"We're gonna talk about it. I feel great. It's up to them. I'll fight for it. If I'm not allowed or if I can't, then it is what it is."
December 13, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Joel Embiid seemed to be hopeful that the previous schedule he was on, at least two days off after each game, might be at a point where it could be re-evaluated.
"We're gonna talk about it. I feel great. It's up to them. I'll fight for it. If I'm not allowed or if I can't, then it is what it is."
"We're gonna talk about it. I feel great. It's up to them. I'll fight for it. If I'm not allowed or if I can't, then it is what it is."
Andre Drummond credits Rasheed Wallace for changing his mentality.
"I leaned on Rasheed Wallace a lot in my career. He put that dog mentality into my mind of not backing down from anybody."
"He's really the reason why I really started taking rebounding seriously."
"I leaned on Rasheed Wallace a lot in my career. He put that dog mentality into my mind of not backing down from anybody."
"He's really the reason why I really started taking rebounding seriously."
December 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Andre Drummond credits Rasheed Wallace for changing his mentality.
"I leaned on Rasheed Wallace a lot in my career. He put that dog mentality into my mind of not backing down from anybody."
"He's really the reason why I really started taking rebounding seriously."
"I leaned on Rasheed Wallace a lot in my career. He put that dog mentality into my mind of not backing down from anybody."
"He's really the reason why I really started taking rebounding seriously."
Andre Drummond: "Watching the evolution of Tyrese Maxey has been a lot of fun for me."
"Just watching his confidence in how he wants to lead the team, and take over, and help us win at a high level, and just his style of play. It makes it easy to follow a guy like that."
"Just watching his confidence in how he wants to lead the team, and take over, and help us win at a high level, and just his style of play. It makes it easy to follow a guy like that."
December 11, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Andre Drummond: "Watching the evolution of Tyrese Maxey has been a lot of fun for me."
"Just watching his confidence in how he wants to lead the team, and take over, and help us win at a high level, and just his style of play. It makes it easy to follow a guy like that."
"Just watching his confidence in how he wants to lead the team, and take over, and help us win at a high level, and just his style of play. It makes it easy to follow a guy like that."
Andre Drummond, on whether he likes this time off for the NBA cup:
"I don't enjoy it. It feels like a mini All-Star Break. Once you have a routine going, it's hard to break that when you have almost a week off."
"I don't enjoy it. It feels like a mini All-Star Break. Once you have a routine going, it's hard to break that when you have almost a week off."
December 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Andre Drummond, on whether he likes this time off for the NBA cup:
"I don't enjoy it. It feels like a mini All-Star Break. Once you have a routine going, it's hard to break that when you have almost a week off."
"I don't enjoy it. It feels like a mini All-Star Break. Once you have a routine going, it's hard to break that when you have almost a week off."