What happened: Philadelphia dropped two spots from third following its first defeat of the season with Joel Embiid in the lineup. The Sixers fell into an early deficit against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday and could not complete the second-half comeback.
Why it matters: The slide reflects offensive struggles despite the team's strong record, with Philadelphia ranking 20th in offensive rating at 110.3. Their sixth-ranked defense at 107.6 has kept them competitive, producing a plus-2.7 net rating through the first 11 games of the 2026-27 season.
By the numbers: Embiid has recorded 17.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in 2026-27 through nine games. Philadelphia ranks sixth in defensive rating (107.6), 20th in offensive rating (110.3), and 15th in net rating (+2.7).
What to watch: The Sixers look to improve their offensive efficiency while managing Embiid's workload as the early-season schedule continues.