Embiid returns, 76ers Vs Pacers: 76ers vs pacers recap — 135-114 win in Indianapolis
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 135-114 in Indianapolis on Tuesday night in the latest 76ers vs pacers matchup, a win that featured Joel Embiid’s return after a five-game absence and raised questions about workload and conditioning ahead of a busy stretch. Embiid finished with 27 points in 26 minutes and coach Nick Nurse highlighted the value of getting him minutes back on the floor.
Embiid’s comeback: numbers, minutes and a coach’s assessment
Joel Embiid returned to the lineup after missing five games with right shin soreness and right knee injury management. He played 26 minutes, scored 27 points, collected six rebounds and dished five assists. Embiid was 11-for-17 from the floor, 1-for-4 from long range and 4-for-5 from the foul line, and he had 20 points in the first half.
Coach Nick Nurse said, "I think it was a good opportunity for him to get out there and get some minutes under his belt. Obviously, good to see the rhythm and touch offensively. I think, again, there's some, probably a little bit of conditioning and stuff lost there. So, it's good to probably get a good amount of minutes for him to play tonight, but good to see him back out there for sure. " Nurse also pointed out that getting Embiid 26 minutes was a significant development for Philadelphia.
76ers Vs Pacers: how Philadelphia seized control with shooting and inside dominance
Philadelphia pushed the pace and efficiency. The 76ers shot 58% for the game and owned an 82-52 edge in points in the paint. They responded to a first-quarter deficit with a 17-0 run to open the second quarter and led 47-38 after that spurt before shooting 64% to take a 75-65 halftime lead.
Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds, including 13 points in the third quarter as the 76ers expanded the lead to 106-85 after three. VJ Edgecombe added 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Philadelphia led by 28 points in the fourth quarter before emptying the bench.
Indiana’s contributors and injury setbacks
The Pacers were missing key pieces. Leading scorer Pascal Siakam was out with a left wrist sprain, and Aaron Nesmith missed his third consecutive game with a right ankle sprain. Indiana shot 42% for the game and committed 16 turnovers.
Andrew Nembhard and Micah Potter each scored 23 points for the Pacers, with Potter’s total a career high. Quenton Jackson finished with 15 points, and rookie Kam Jones added a career-high 13. Jarace Walker hauled in 10 rebounds.
Context on the trip, conditioning and the schedule ahead
The win closed the 76ers’ 3-game road trip at Indiana; Embiid had not played since Feb. 7 against the Phoenix Suns on the team’s West Coast road trip. The game narrative included an assessment that defenders such as Jay Huff and Micah Potter were no match for Embiid on several possessions.
With 23 games to go, Nurse emphasized the need to get Embiid on the same page with the roster and for the coaching staff to make sure the offensive system is moving in the right direction. The 76ers will return home to host the Miami Heat next, while the Pacers will host Charlotte on Thursday night.
