Two summers ago, I had an idea. Today, it’s going live. I am proud to announce @Vertical76ers, a comprehensive model to cover the Philadelphia 76ers to serve you: the reader, the listener, the viewer. Not the algorithm. Led by me, in partnership with @howardmegdal and @TheIXSports, we will be attacking the massive limitations to many of today’s journalism business models. Good work and the relationship between consumers and the information you want to know is always the priority. We are here to build on what elite sports journalists are doing in Philadelphia, and always have—not just for one of the most exciting seasons in Sixers history, but sustainably. We will be your home for weekly podcasts, in partnership with Blue Wire. We will provide consistent analysis and context to this historic 2026-27 season through video reports on our social channels.

If the Sixers win tonight, they will have opened the season with victories over 2 teams that many picked to finish ahead of them in the East. Allow yourselves to buy in. Enjoy this journey. More in this morning’s newsletter @Vertical76ers: vertical76.com/p/the-king-s-…

10 hours from now, you’ll be settling in for LeBron James and Jaylen Brown’s official Sixers home debuts. FREE morning newsletter at Vertical 76 is out now and in your inboxes as long as you’re subscribed!

Sixers injury report for tomorrow’s home-opener against the Cavs: Dean Wade (ankle) — QUESTIONABLE Tacko Fall (quad)— OUT Dominick Barlow (low back stress reaction) — OUT

The Sixers don’t win last night without everybody doing their parts, but I came away most focused on Joel Embiid. He shot the ball poorly and committed 4 TOVs. But his defense was masterful and, when it came down to it, he was the one making the decisions to ice the game:

First gamer of the regular season for @Vertical76ers! - That was maybe the best season-opener of Joel Embiid's career - Why I liked the Sixers' offensive strategy - What a day it must've been for Jaylen Brown vertical76.com/p/joel-embiid…

Jalen Brunson shot 3-for-6 in 6:29 of matchup time against VJ Edgecombe and 0-for-5 in 2 minutes of matchup time against Jaylen Brown tonight, per the NBA's matchup data.

Reigning champs win on ring night something like 80% of the time. The Sixers are in the 20%. They couldn't shoot most of the night, but their defense was phenomenal—way better than anyone could've expected for a team this new. They solved problems on offense as the game tightened up and were impressively collected. That's a pretty excellent first win, and they're only going to get better.

Jaylen Brown has 19-8-6 in his Sixers debut with 50 seconds to play. Only 2 turnovers. Sixers +17 with him on the court.

Nurse having to beg for a timeout in MSG.

Do Reggie Miller and Embiid need to have like a private conversation or something?

LeBron has played 23 minutes, Embiid 25. If the reporting is accurate that the team wants them at 30 minutes early in this season, there's some time management still to be done.

He threw the ball up.

Cannot say enough about Embiid's defense in this game.

I would say the Sixers being down 4 after that half is pretty good. Towns, Hart each have 3 fouls. OG has 2. Playing a physical brand of offense and going at mismatches. Defense is behind, which was to be expected. A lot you can clean up to only be down 4.

LeBron is currently playing center.

That GTA VI commercial kills every time, man.