Austin Krell

Joined Dec 5, 2025

Austin Krell has covered the Sixers beat since the 2020-21 NBA season. Previous outlets include 97.3 ESPN and OnPattison.com. He also covered the NBA, at large, for USA Today. When he’s not consuming basketball in some form, he’s binge-watching a tv show, enjoying a movie, or listening to a music playlist on repeat.

Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse against the Boston Celtics during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Apr 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Apr 3, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Mar 19, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) walks on the court in street clothes during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

The hours leading up to Game 3 in Philadelphia between the Boston Celtics and Sixers on Friday will be a bit more tense than usual thanks to the initial injury report for the third battle of this series.

Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) dive for the ball in the first half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

V.J. Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey combined for 59 points to power the Sixers to a gutsy Game 2 victory over the Boston Celtics, evening the series as the first round matchup shifts to Philadelphia.

Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball past Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Game 1 was an embarrassment.

Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) controls the ball while Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) defends in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Tyrese Maxey put up a tour date to lead a very bad shooting day for the Sixers in an ugly Game 1 loss to the Boston Celtics.

Apr 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) reacts with fans in the final seconds of the game against the Orlando Magic in a play-in round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

When the ball drops on Sunday afternoon, it'll be a new experience: He's the tone-setter of a playoff team.

Mar 28, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center/forward Joel Embiid (21) attempts a free throw during the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images

When Game 1 of the Sixers' first-round series against the Boston Celtics tips off on Sunday afternoon, Joel Embiid will not be available as he recovers from appendectomy surgery.

Apr 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) reacts after a forward Paul George (8) score against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter of a play-in round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Sixers do have real personnel answers for Boston's most dangerous offensive players for once.

Apr 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) celebrates with guard Vj Edgecombe (77) after a win against the Orlando Magic in a play-in round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Sixers have two-and-a-half days to prepare themselves.

Apr 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) talks with guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and guard Vj Edgecombe (77) during a break in action against the Orlando Magic in the third quarter of a play-in round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Tyrese Maxey scored 11 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter to power the Sixers past the Orlando Magic and set up another chapter between Philadelphia and the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.

Apr 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) during introductions against the Detroit Pistons at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Down an offensive focal point, the Sixers will need rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe to carry over the play he's offered for much of his first year in the NBA.

Apr 10, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Will the Sixers earn a matchup with the Boston Celtics, or will their season be pushed to the ropes with another Play-In game required?

Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) is introduced before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

A little more than 24 hours before the ball drops between the Orlando Magic and Sixers in Philadelphia on Wednesday, neither team is saving many Chess moves.

Austin Krell

Joined Dec 5, 2025

Six Thoughts: Sixers Get Spanked in Joel Embiid's Return, Season Now on the Brink

Halfway Through the Series, Maybe Tyrese Maxey Is Right

Six Thoughts: Sixers Fall a Few Plays Short in Game 3 Loss to Celtics

Joel Embiid 'Just Not Ready' for Game 3

Sixers Give Encouraging Status Update on Joel Embiid Ahead of Game 3 vs Celtics

Six Thoughts: Edgecombe, Maxey Punch Back as Sixers Win Game 2 in Boston

Game 1 Final Thoughts: Sixers' Defensive Approach, Tactics and Roster Construction

Six Thoughts: Ugly Offense Gets Sixers Demolished by Celtics in Game 1

Ready or Not, It's Tyrese Maxey's Time

Sixers Injury Report vs Celtics: What to Expect in Game 1

Why the Sixers Have Something to Test the Celtics

Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe Are Running Toward the Fire

Six Thoughts From Sixers' Play-In Victory Over Magic

Are the Youngest Sixers Ready For Their First Taste of Postseason Basketball?

Sixers vs Magic Staff Predictions: Who Gets the Seventh Seed in the East Playoffs?

Sixers Injury Report vs. Magic: What to Expect in the Play-In Tournament