Sixers reach .500 for 1st time in 4 years

The Philadelphia 76ers are finally back to respectability after embarking upon the most ambitious tanking project in NBA history.

The Sixers have won four out of their last five games to even their record at 4-4 following a 119-109 victory Wednesday over the Atlanta Hawks.

It's the first time they've been .500 since Nov. 15, 2013 when they were 5-5. Philadelphia finished with 19 wins that season in the first of four painfully inept campaigns that eventually produced this golden crop of talent.

Philly's prospects shined bright in their win over Atlanta. Franchise center Joel Embiid had 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and three steals while playing 30 minutes for the first time in his career. No. 1 overall pick and runaway Rookie of the Year favorite Ben Simmons had 19 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists.

Embiid and Simmons, along with names like Markelle Fultz, Dario Saric, and Robert Covington, will be expected to eventually lead the Sixers to far greater things than just evening their record. But after everything the franchise has gone through, hitting .500 is a good first step.