The Philadelphia 76ers continued their unbeaten start to the season, improving to 3-0 with a 127-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, despite LeBron James being sidelined due to lower back pain management. Joel Embiid led the way with a triple-double, scoring 28 points, while Tyrese Maxey contributed 26 points and Jaylen Brown added 27 on his 30th birthday. The win showcased the team's ability to distribute scoring responsibilities in James' absence.
Philadelphia demonstrated resilience after initially trailing the Bucks, with Embiid hitting crucial three-pointers and going on a personal 7-0 run to secure the lead. The Sixers had previously shown their capability to overcome adversity with a 29-point comeback against Cleveland, the largest in James' NBA career. James, who averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the first two games, was seen celebrating with Maxey after a key jumper.
While the Sixers have displayed strong performances, they still face challenges, including chemistry issues and a poor shooting night from beyond the arc, hitting only 7-of-28 from three-point range. Nonetheless, the early results indicate that Philadelphia can thrive without their star player, relying on a diverse group of contributors to maintain their perfect record.