The Philadelphia 76ers are no strangers to challenges, but the 2024-25 NBA season has been an absolute rollercoaster—just not the fun kind. At this point in the season, most teams have settled into their identity, fine-tuned their rotations, and are making their final playoff push. But for the Sixers? It’s been anything but smooth sailing.
A combination of injuries, unexpected lineup changes, and a lack of overall consistency has made it nearly impossible for this team to get on the same page. Sitting 3.5 games behind the final play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers are fighting an uphill battle. Head coach Nick Nurse is just trying to bring some order to the chaos, and Saturday’s practice was another attempt at reorganizing the squad.
A Season of Uncertainty
It’s no secret that Philadelphia has struggled to find stability this season. The roster has been a revolving door, with players coming in and out due to injuries and mid-season acquisitions. The constant shake-ups have made it difficult for the team to develop chemistry, and it’s showing on the court.
Coach Nurse, who’s known for his strategic mind and adaptability, admitted that this season has been far from ideal. “Again, it was a little bit of a reorganization shuffle,” Nurse said after practice. “We ran a lot of stuff with what the possible lineups and rotations could be tomorrow. Again, it’s shifting.”
With so many moving pieces, Nurse has been forced to experiment. One of those adjustments has been playing Quentin Grimes at point guard, a role that’s still in the testing phase. “We’ve been playing Q at the 1,” Nurse explained. “So just trying to continue to explore that and moving some pieces around.”
Missing Pieces & Roster Adjustments
To make matters worse, injuries and illnesses continue to throw wrenches into the Sixers' plans. On Saturday, Andre Drummond was out sick, leaving Guerschon Yabusele to step in at center. Meanwhile, rookie Justin Edwards returned to practice after an extended absence. “Justin was in today for the first time in a while,” Nurse noted. “I know he played, but he hadn’t been in practice for a while. So just re-organization, mostly.”
While many coaches would rather be working on fine-tuning their systems and preparing for a deep playoff run, Nurse has had to focus on the basics—getting everyone on the same page. “Listen, I’d certainly rather be doing something else, but it is what it is right now,” he admitted with a laugh. “I’ve got to get them organized. First and foremost, we’ve got to be able to execute some things at both ends of the floor—special situations, etc. That’s where we’ve got to spend a lot of time right now.”
Execution Over Effort
If there’s one thing you can’t question about this Sixers squad, it’s their effort. They play hard night in and night out, but effort alone won’t win games. Execution has been the real issue, and that’s something Nurse has been drilling into his players.
“I’m just trying to put them in positions where they can get some of that stuff on speed dial so they can concentrate on playing hard, making shots, and making plays rather than constantly thinking about, ‘Where am I supposed to be in this particular situation?’” Nurse explained. “So we just keep going over and over that stuff.”
The Sixers have 20 games left to make a push for the postseason, and every single one of them matters. There’s no more room for error, no more time to dwell on what’s gone wrong this season. The focus now is on salvaging what they can and making a late-season push.
A Must-Win Stretch Begins
Up next, the Sixers will host the Utah Jazz on Sunday night—a game that could set the tone for the remainder of the season. With the play-in tournament still within reach, Nurse and his squad have no choice but to put their best foot forward.
Can they pull off a miracle run and sneak into the postseason? Time will tell, but if they want to stand a chance, they’ll need to get organized—and fast. One thing’s for sure: It won’t be easy, but with the talent and grit this team has, anything is possible.
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