Sometimes less is more.

Joel Embiid has seemingly carried the weight of the entire franchise on his back throughout his NBA career. He won an MVP and led the Sixers to their best era of basketball since Allen Iverson was in town.

However, after so many injuries and playoff disappointments, something had to give. Embiid had to change his style of play and his preparation. We’ve already seen how seriously he takes the problems with his surgically repaired knee. Although it was frustrating for everyone involved, the big man listened to his body and the advice of the medical staff.

On the court, he knows he has two All-Star teammates in Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, as well as a host of reliable role players to help carry the load. Before the season began, Embiid often said that his goal wasn’t to win individual awards or put the entire team on his back. His goal this season was to make the job easier for his capable teammates.

In a big win on Christmas Day against the Celtics in Boston, Embiid did just that.

From the start of the game, it was clear that Embiid, who was controversially ejected from Monday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs, had a little more energy going into this game.

“He definitely brought some energy and competitiveness to the game,” Nick Nurse told reporters after the game in Boston.

Of course, what would a Joel Embiid game be without injury fears?

This happened before the game when Embiid stepped on a guard’s foot during warmups and tweaked his ankle. A terrible setup in Boston almost cost Embiid more time on the injury report, but we digress. Embiid was able to dress and play – and appeared extremely sharp throughout the contest.

“Just a little sore, but it’s Christmas,” Embiid told reporters. “Must play at Christmas.”

Al Horford has always played hard on Embiid throughout his career, but as much credit as everyone gives the veteran big man, it’s the Celtics’ team defense that gives Embiid fits. Horford uses his strength and skill to push Embiid out of his spots while the rest of Boston’s defense is so good at playing on a string and denying Embiid opportunities.

Early in the game, the strategy seemed to be for Embiid to use his gravity to get Maxey going. The two-man game between the two has been unstoppable at times this year, usually resulting in someone being exposed on the field. Their chemistry helped Maxey score 12 points and four assists in the first frame.

Before it was cool to condemn Victor Wembanyama for shooting too many threes and “not getting his butt on the block,” it was Embiid who heard that refrain. Embiid has never shot as many three-pointers as Wemby currently does, but the three-pointer was an integral part of his game. The reason: it opens up everything else.

The way the Celtics played him, Embiid simply took what was there, which included three three-pointers in the first half and 4 of 5 on the night. Without those marks, especially for a Sixers team that has been brutal from deep this season, who knows how this game would have turned out.

“He scored well on the night and shot the three-pointer really well,” Nurse said. “I think that will always be available to him, especially when he and Tyrese are playing.”

There were moments during the game where Embiid looked great physically, which was likely because his knee was feeling better and also because of the weight he lost this offseason.

Late in the first quarter, Paul George stripped Jayson Tatum, sparking a fast break. Maxey pushed the ball and Kelly Oubre Jr. was in front of the field, manning Jaylen Brown. This allowed Embiid, who was shooting the ball up the floor, to find a seam between Brown and Payton Pritchard for an uncontrollable, nimble finish at the rim.

The fact that Embiid was even in the game after leaving the field is a great sign. Often times, such a play would end with Embiid either trying to overpower Brown and commit an offensive foul or trying to get fouled himself, resulting in an unconventional turnover.

He had a few other moments that should inspire some optimism.

With the Celtics making a late push and the Sixers seemingly unable to mount any offense, Nurse called a timeout with 2:25 left while protecting his three-point lead. After the timeout, the Sixers returned to their bread-and-butter offense.

“We finally got the ball over the middle of the court and did a side screen-and-roll with Tyrese and Joel,” Nurse said, “and Joel rolled hard and we hit him and he got fouled.” That was kind of a stabilizing ball possession. It’s pretty dangerous when both guys can shoot the ball and you have size and speed in that combination.”

While Embiid is physically impressive, he hasn’t always been the best performer. Much like he did for Steph Curry in the Olympics, Embiid took pressure off Maxey with good, hard screens throughout the day. Embiid isn’t typically a roller either, preferring to jump to the elbow or three-point line. For Horford, it was probably just a change that threw him off balance.

This play also set up a critical basket that (almost) sealed the game.

Embiid found George for a corner three after the Sixers had put the Celtics in trouble. Horford had to rush to the corner to challenge George, and Brown had to cover for Embiid on the glass after George’s miss. Embiid fell hard, forcing Brown to tackle him to the ground and foul him.

The following possession was shaky, with the Sixers nearly turning the ball over before it went out of bounds with 1.1 seconds left on the shot clock. At that moment, Nurse called the perfect play that led to a huge Maxey bucket.

Maxey’s speed and Horford’s inability to leave Embiid for the possibility of a quick three-pointer or a roll to the basket led to an open layup.

“I actually thought, ‘They’re not leaving Joel’s body,'” Maxey said. “So he set up a good screen and I was able to roll it up and have a chance to get a layup.”

It’s been a brutal season for Embiid.

In addition to his knee problems, he was suspended for shoving Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, suffered a sinus fracture that forced him to wear a mask (again), and, as previously mentioned, was recently released after some… spotty Dismissed from office due to official acts.

It may not have meant much to the outside world, but Embiid seemed to be playing with joy. After the game, he was fired up and attacked Caleb Martin, the Boston Strangler 2.0, who made seven three-pointers, a career-best. He smothered Maxey’s punches while the guard talked about how he could bounce back after a miserable Christmas game last season. He spoke enthusiastically about George, who had another dismal shooting night, and expressed his confidence in him.

It was the kind of game that can turn a season around – with a good dose of luck.

“I think we have a high ceiling,” Embiid said. “It’s important that we do it together. I don’t think we played our best basketball, but Tyrese was great. I could have been better, PG could have been better and we will be better. … Caleb gave us a good boost. The bench was great, but I don’t think it was our best basketball. But we have a pretty good chance, so we just have to wait for some luck and stay healthy.”

And he continues to trust his teammates to do more while he does a little less.