76ers Vs Pacers: Embiid Returns, Sixers Cruise to 135-114 Win in Indianapolis
Joel Embiid returned from a five-game absence and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 135-114 on Feb. 24, 2026, in Indianapolis. The result matters because Embiid’s 26 minutes and 27 points came with 23 games remaining on the schedule, giving the team a clearer sense of his immediate availability and rhythm.
Joel Embiid’s return and minutes
Embiid logged 26 minutes in his first game since Feb. 7 against the Phoenix Suns, finishing with 27 points, six rebounds and five assists. He shot 11-for-17 from the floor, 1-for-4 from three and 4-for-5 from the foul line. He had 20 points in the first half. Embiid had missed five games with right shin soreness and right knee injury management, a situation also described as right knee and right shin issues in team updates.
Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe fuel a scoring surge
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds. VJ Edgecombe scored 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting as Philadelphia shot 58% as a team. Maxey’s 13-point third quarter helped the 76ers seize control and turn an early deficit into a decisive lead.
76ers vs pacers: game flow and pivotal runs
Indiana led 38-30 after the first quarter, but Philadelphia opened the second with a 17-0 run to take a 47-38 lead and closed the half shooting 64% to lead 75-65. The Sixers pushed the advantage to 106-85 after three quarters and led by as many as 28 in the fourth before emptying the bench. The 76ers finished with an 82-52 edge in points in the paint.
Pacers’ performances and roster absences
Andrew Nembhard and Micah Potter each scored 23 points for Indiana, with Potter reaching a career high. Quenton Jackson added 15 and rookie Kam Jones posted a career-high 13. The Pacers were without leading scorer Pascal Siakam, who sat out with a left wrist sprain, and Aaron Nesmith, who missed his third straight game with a right ankle sprain.
Team statistics and turnover impact
Indiana shot 42% from the field and committed 16 turnovers. Philadelphia held a 44-41 rebounding edge; Maxey grabbed nine rebounds and Jarace Walker led the Pacers with 10. The Sixers’ efficiency inside and turnover differential contributed directly to the scoring margin.
Nick Nurse on conditioning, minutes and the road trip
Coach Nick Nurse said the outing was a good opportunity for Embiid to get minutes under his belt and praised his offensive touch, while noting some conditioning may have been lost during the layoff. Nurse emphasized the importance of getting a solid amount of minutes for Embiid in this game. The win closed a three-game road trip for Philadelphia.
The timing matters because with 23 games to go the Sixers must balance Embiid’s workload against the need to build chemistry and maintain the offensive system—Nurse and staff will have to manage those minutes carefully as the regular season approaches its final stretch. Embiid and the Sixers are set to return home to host the Miami Heat next, while the Pacers will host Charlotte on Thursday night.
