How often does the tipoff really matter in an NBA game?
Sure, it decides the opening possession. In some arenas, it helps determine how long the home crowd is expected to remain on their feet until their squad scores its first points. But in the grand scheme of things? It's one of the most forgettable plays of the 48-minute slate, doomed to be overlooked as soon as the free-flow action gets free-flowing.
Except, of course, when Joel Embiid watched as Dominick Barlow and Neemias Queta battled for possession to open the Philadelphia 76ers' 2025-26 campaign.