Joel Embiid Says Past 76ers Teams Would've 'Laid Down' After Historic Comeback vs. Cavs

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid feels his team's historic Thursday night comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers is proof of a new team identity in Philly.

The Sixers, who got booed by their home crowd after falling into a 29-point hole in Thursday's first half, launched the franchise's largest comeback of the play-by-play era to secure a 114-106 win over the Cavs.

"No shade to anybody that's been here, but in the past, a lot of people would've just laid down and tried to move on to the next one," Embiid told reporters .

"We've got the talent. I would like for us to not be in that position again, in the first place, so we don't have to do it every night, because that takes a lot of energy. But yeah, it was different. I said it last game, after the game. It just feels different."

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said after the game his players were angry to be facing a 69-45 deficit heading into the halftime break.

"The voices at halftime were like, 'Still a game. Settle down and let's start playing our game,'" Nurse said. "They were pissed. They were down and pissed, both. Getting over what just happened, kind of realizing, 'Oh my god, we've got to snap out of it.'"

The Sixers had cut the Cavs' lead to eight points by the end of the third quarter before outscoring the visitors 31-16 in the fourth to claim the win.

Tyrese Maxey led his team with 32 points, while Embiid and Jaylen Brown both topped 20. LeBron James contributed a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in his Sixers home debut to help secure the largest comeback of his 24-year NBA career.

After opening the season by with a win over the defending champion New York Knicks and the historic comeback over the Cavs, the Sixers will look to keep the momentum going as the season continues Saturday night against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks.