The Philadelphia 76ers are red hot through the first 10 games on the 2021 NBA season. They are 8-2 and sit atop of the Eastern Conference standings in first place. Last night, they earned a tough road win in Chicago, with Joel Embiid and Furkan Korkmaz leading the way. Seven out of eight players were in double figures and Doc Rivers earned his 1,000th career win as a head coach in the NBA, a feat in which only 10 total coaches in history have accomplished.

Tobias Harris has been away from the team due to COVID health and safety protocols. Both Matisse Thybulle and Isiah Joe join Harris on that list. Ben Simmons is obviously not playing either. The 76ers key to success has been surrounding Joel Embiid with shooters and relying on their revamped bench mob to help carry them through the first 10 games of the season. The Sixers did not make a huge splash over the offseason, but added two key pieces that have worked out well in the early goings of this year with Georges Niang and Andre Drummond.

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Niang joined the Sixers from the Utah Jazz. This season, Niang is averaging nearly 12 points per game, while shooting 45% from the floor and 41% from three point range. He has been a huge piece for the Sixers off the bench. Heading into this season, Niang never averaged more than seven points per game. His game has been elevated on both ends of the court this year with the Sixers.

After last night’s win, Joel Embiid had this to say about his new teammate Georges Niang.

“I used to think he sucked, honestly.”

Joel Embiid is a national treasure. Last night, he put on a show in Chicago, scoring 30 points and grabbing 15 rebounds while going 4-5 from three point range. One of those three pointers was an absolute dagger with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game and the 76ers up five.

The 76ers are off today and will head home for a back-to-back against the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks on Monday and Tuesday.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY SPORTS