Philadelphia 76ers 99-112 New York Knicks: 5 talking points as Kemba Walker’s best game of the season leads the Knicks to victory | 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Tobias Harris as an All-Star

Tobias Harris has been phenomenal for the Philadelphia 76ers this season

Tobias Harris has been a pillar for the Philadelphia 76ers this season. In a game where Joel Embiid was clearly nursing an injury or just plain worn out, Harris took the cudgels yet again for the team. He finished with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. More than the numbers, he did his part in helping hold Julius Randle to 16 points.

The Philadelphia 76ers' season has been uneven. Seth Curry, who exploded in their last game with 23 points in a quarter, was 0-4 from deep and finished with a horrific 4 points in 30 minutes of action. Tyrese Maxey, who had been solid, if not spectacular, came back to earth with 7 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists.

Since the Philadelphia 76ers’ start of the season, the only constant in production and leadership has been Tobias Harris. If Embiid is sidelined with an injury or minutes management, Harris would have an even bigger load to shoulder. He might just make the All-Star team if he continues with this kind of performance.

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#2 All-star Kemba Walker shows up at the Garden for the New York Knicks

There was a lot of hoopla when the New York Knicks acquired Kemba Walker in the offseason. Besides being a Bronx native, the acquisition of Walker was deemed a big step in addressing the Knicks’ lack of scoring. In this game, at least, the fans were able to see what the former All-Star could do.

Kemba Walker was instrumental in giving the New York Knicks a lead that they never relinquished. He orchestrated the plays with aplomb and punished the Philadelphia 76ers’ defense when they collapsed the paint against Julius Randle.

More importantly for the New York Knicks, he led the team when Julius Randle was not his usual efficient self. Last year, when Randle struggled, there was hardly anyone who could pick up the slack. This year could change with Kemba Walker running the plays for the team.

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#1 Joel Embiid looks gassed

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is starting to feel the toll of the season with the increased burden

Even with Ben Simmons around, the fate of the Philadelphia 76ers rests on Joel Embiid’s shoulders. And while Simmons has gotten his fair dose of ridicule, he would have been of great help to the team. There’s a reason why the Embiid-Simmons duo had the best win-loss total among All-Star duos last season.

In Ben Simmons’ absence, Joel Embiid is taking on more workload on both ends of the floor. It’s on the defensive end that Simmons’ absence is really felt. Without Simmons, Embiid does not have the luxury of having someone act as a safety on the perimeter. Embiid has to contest more drives and be better at communicating with the defense for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The work has already taken its toll on Joel Embiid. It’s just a few games into the season, and Embiid looks gassed. The Philadelphia 76ers will need more from the roster to help their starting center carry the team to the playoffs.