Three takeaways from the Sixers’ 2023-24 schedule release

The NBA is banking big on head-to-head matchups between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić to be must-see television.

That’s one of the main things that stood out Thursday when the NBA released its 2023-24 schedule.

But there were other notable takeaways for the 76ers. They add up to one observation: With or without James Harden, the Embiid-led Sixers remain one of the league’s marquee teams.

How else can you explain their 29 nationally televised appearances on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV amid the uncertainty surrounding Harden’s future with the team?

But here are three things that stood out.

» READ MORE: Nationally televised marquee matchups with Bucks and Nuggets highlight Sixers’ 2023-24 schedule

Embiid and Jokić are not only the league’s two best centers, they’re arguably the two best players. Embiid is the reigning MVP, while Jokić finished a distant second in media voting. However, the Denver center was named NBA Finals MVP after leading the Nuggets to the title. Before that, he was voted league MVP in 2021 and 2022 while Embiid was finished as runner-up in both seasons.

There’s been an ongoing debate for several seasons about which player is the best. Fans will get to judge for themselves this season in two nationally televised games.

The Sixers will entertain the Nuggets Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center (TNT). Then the two teams will meet for a 5:30 p.m. contest on ABC at Ball Arena on Jan. 27. Embiid probably will be heckled by Nuggets fans then after he sat out last season’s much-anticipated matchup in Denver. The last time Embiid played a game there was Nov. 8, 2019, because of injuries and rest.

But in last season’s lone head-to-head meeting, Embiid destroyed Jokić in a 126-119 victory over the Nuggets on Jan. 28 at the Wells Fargo Center. He finished with 47 points, 18 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks while Jokić had 24 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds.

Embiid abused the Denver star in isolation plays, drawing chants of “MVP” from the home crowd. Embiid’s critics have said the Sixers’ franchise player was preoccupied with winning MVP while Jokić was focused on bringing a championship to Denver.

Regardless of their past motivations, the league is banking on fan interest in their head-to-head matchups.

The NBA could have cut Nick Nurse some slack in regards to his return trip to Toronto. Instead, the Sixers will visit the Raptors in Game 2 on Oct. 28.

It would have been more manageable to face his former team in its home arena two months or so into the season. At that point, the focus would be more on the state of the team — not its former coach.

Well, Nurse, who was fired by the Raptors in April, won’t have the luxury. He spent 10 seasons in Toronto with the last five as head coach. Nurse will probably be bombarded with questions about his tenure there in what will be his first time speaking to the Toronto media since his firing.

While the Raptors finished 41-41 last season, Nurse’s tenure in Canada was successful. He led Toronto to the 2019 NBA title during his first season as head coach.

But Nurse and Raptors president Masai Michael Ujiri didn’t see eye-to-eye on some things in the end. The things that led to his departure could be a topic of discussion during pre- and postgame interviews.

» READ MORE: Here’s where the Sixers’ championship odds stand after the NBA’s 2023-24 schedule release

The Sixers won’t complain about being road weary at the start of the season.

After opening their first two games against Milwaukee and Toronto on the road, eight of the next nine are at the Wells Fargo Center. They’ll have a home opener against Portland on Oct. 29. Then after three days off, the Sixers will entertain the Raptors on Nov. 2 before contests against Phoenix (Nov. 4), Washington (Nov. 6), and Boston (Nov. 8). They’ll visit Detroit on Nov. 10 before a two-game home series vs. Indiana on Nov. 12 and 14. Then the Sixers will host the Celtics on Nov. 15.

In addition to having the luxury of sleeping in their own beds, the Sixers will get a lift from the home crowd in tough matches against the Suns and Celtics.

The five-game stretch from Oct. 29 to Nov. 8 will be their longest homestand of the season.