Without Joel Embiid, Sixers Roar Past Celtics For Huge Win

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Surely, this was the kind of night that general manager Elton Brand and coach Brett Brown envisioned when the Sixers landed Josh Richardson and Al Horford in the offseason.

Without Joel Embiid and still fresh off of a string of tough losses, the Sixers came up huge on Thursday night in their victory over their arch-rivals, the Boston Celtics, 109-98.

Richardson and Horford were crucial in the victory, each stepping into bigger and seemingly more comfortable roles in Embiid's absence. Richardson led all scorers with 29 points, while Horford was an all-around force, contributing 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal, and two blocks.

It's the type of game the Sixers will need from their two huge offseason acquisitions, especially with Embiid needing surgery on his hand injury and out indefinitely.

Neither of Richardson or Horford has seemed to fully gel in their new surroundings thus far. It's shown in the standings (the Sixers are in just 5th place, though just three games out of 2nd place), on the court (in lower than expected numbers from both players), and has been admitted off the court.

Rumors have swirled about the Sixers possibly trading Horford, especially if it would land them an outside shooter like C.J. McCollum, creating valuable spacing for both Simmons and Embiid.

But with Richardson playing like he did Thursday, and Horford seeming to step in big for Embiid, the Sixers might finally be getting their legs under them.

Ben Simmons also contributed 19 points and nine rebounds, along with three assists and a steal. Despite being down by 7 at the half and by as much as 15 at one point, the Sixers did not give up, roaring back with a huge 32-18 advantage in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

The Sixers improved to 3-0 against the Celtics this season, and 25-14 on the year.

They'll face the Mavericks in Dallas next at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.