Embiid Goes Scoreless From Three in Sixers Win
Joel Embiid missed all three of his three-point attempts as Philadelphia beat Detroit 112-106 to improve to 8-1.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Detroit Pistons 112-106 at Little Caesars Arena, improving to 8-1, the top record in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid went 0-of-3 from beyond the arc but finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds.
Why it matters
Embiid's perimeter shooting has dropped sharply, with his season three-point percentage sitting at 11.5% after 3-of-26 shooting, down from 33.3% last season. Philadelphia's early-season start keeps it near the top of the East while questions about its star's outside shooting persist.
Embiid is 3-of-26 (11.5%) from three-point range this season, compared with 33.3% last year, based on box score totals from the Sixers' 112-106 win over Detroit. The sample is small, and the cause of the drop has not been identified.
The players
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is the Philadelphia 76ers center and a multiple-time All-Star known for his scoring and rebounding.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is a Boston Celtics-era All-NBA guard and perennial All-Star who now plays for the Sixers in this game.
LeBron James
LeBron James is a four-time NBA champion and the NBA's all-time leading scorer, still playing at a high level in his late career.
The details
Embiid shot 8-of-18 from the field and 10-of-10 from the line, adding nine second-chance points while Jaylen Brown led all scorers with a season-high 30 points. LeBron James added 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the win.
Timeline
Nov. 4, 2026: Sixers beat Pistons 112-106 at Little Caesars Arena.
Nov. 6, 2026 (Friday): Sixers visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Season Trajectory
The Sixers' 8-1 start puts them atop the Eastern Conference early, but Embiid's three-point drop from 33.3% last season to 11.5% now is a measurable departure from his established shooting profile. How long that gap persists will shape whether Philadelphia's perimeter spacing holds up through the grind of the season.
Fantasy managers relying on Embiid for three-pointers should expect little from that category until his shooting rebounds, given his 3-of-26 season mark. Embiid's 26-point, 15-rebound game still gives him strong value in points and rebounds.
The takeaway
Early-season shooting samples are small, so a 3-of-26 start is not yet a settled trend for Embiid. Watch whether his three-point attempts and efficiency recover over the next several games.
What happens next
The Sixers visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, Nov. 6, the next test of whether Philadelphia's early momentum holds on the road.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Philadelphia Basketball coverage.
