The Philadelphia 76ers have been stuck in what feels like an endless nightmare this 2024-25 NBA season. What was supposed to be a promising year, with the trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey leading the charge, has quickly unraveled into a frustrating battle against injuries and inconsistency. Instead of dominating the Eastern Conference as many had predicted, the Sixers find themselves with a disappointing 19-29 record, desperately trying to stay afloat in the playoff race.
Injuries Have Taken a Massive Toll
One of the biggest reasons for their struggles? Injuries. Embiid, the reigning MVP and the heart of the team, has only managed to suit up for 13 games. George, the prized offseason acquisition, has played in 30. Together, along with Maxey, the trio has appeared in just 10 games, finishing only seven of them as a unit. That lack of continuity has severely hampered the Sixers’ ability to establish any sort of rhythm.
With both Embiid and George sidelined for extended stretches, Maxey has been forced to take on an even bigger role. And while he’s stepped up admirably, it’s clear that Philadelphia’s roster wasn’t built for him to carry the load alone. Instead of running alongside two All-Stars, Maxey has had to navigate the season with a supporting cast featuring undrafted rookie Justin Edwards and young players like Ricky Council IV and Adem Bona.
Maxey: The Lone Bright Spot
If there’s been one consistent positive for the Sixers, it’s been Maxey’s leadership. Night in and night out, he’s been the one constant, playing with energy and determination despite the adversity surrounding him. He’s not just putting up numbers—he’s embracing the challenge of leading a depleted squad.
"Every time I step on the court, I’m trying to win games," Maxey said following a tough loss to the Boston Celtics. "It doesn’t matter who’s on the court with me. Early in the year, I let it get frustrating, and I was upset at myself for allowing that. I’ll never go back into that type of hole. Whoever I’m stepping on the court with, I feel like they’re NBA players for a reason. We’re gonna go out there and compete."
That competitive spirit has kept the Sixers in games they probably had no business being in. Over the past two matchups, they’ve gone toe-to-toe with the defending champion Denver Nuggets and the powerhouse Celtics—two teams expected to make deep playoff runs.
The Underdog Mentality
So how have they managed to stay competitive despite the setbacks? A lot of it comes down to Maxey setting the tone for the entire team. His mindset is contagious, and he’s making sure his teammates don’t back down from any challenge.
"It comes from the mindset of it doesn’t matter who’s out there," Maxey added. "I’m trying to win. At the end of the day, this is our job. This is our profession. This is what we like to do. We all are blessed to be here for a reason. Everybody got here for a reason. Nobody’s not supposed to be here, if that makes sense. They tie their shoes just like we gotta tie ours up. That’s one of the messages I give them before we go out there."
This kind of mentality is exactly what Philly needs to embrace if they hope to turn their season around. They might not be the title-contending force many expected them to be, but they can still claw their way into playoff contention. The NBA’s play-in tournament gives them a shot, and if they can find a way to stay within reach, anything can happen.
A Season Far from Over
Despite their struggles, the Sixers' season isn’t completely lost. The reality of the modern NBA is that no team is truly out of it until the very end, especially with the play-in tournament keeping hope alive for struggling squads. Philadelphia still has time to piece things together, especially if Embiid and George can get healthy in time for the final stretch of the season.
Maxey understands the importance of staying ready and keeping his teammates engaged. "Like, listen, man, it’s an opportunity," he said. "In this NBA, in this league, it’s hard to get opportunity. It’s very difficult to get these opportunities. Like, Justin, if I told you at the beginning of the year that Justin would be starting against the Boston Celtics, against the Denver Nuggets, the Cleveland Cavaliers, consecutive games in a row, y’all would probably look at me crazy. So for him to have this opportunity and really go out there and present himself, and help win games, man, this is amazing, and I’m happy for those guys."
That’s what makes this season intriguing, even in the midst of all the chaos. Young players are getting unexpected chances, and Maxey is showing he has what it takes to be a leader. These are the moments that define a player’s career, and for Maxey, this season is proving to be his biggest test yet.
What’s Next?
The road ahead isn’t getting any easier for Philadelphia. They’ll continue their homestand with a matchup against a very different-looking Dallas Mavericks team on Tuesday. It’s another tough challenge, but if we’ve learned anything about this squad, it’s that they won’t go down without a fight.
While it’s been a season full of frustrations, injuries, and missed expectations, there’s still a glimmer of hope. If the Sixers can grind out some wins, get their stars back on the court, and continue feeding off Maxey’s leadership, there’s still a chance to salvage the season.
Will it be easy? Absolutely not. But if there’s one thing Philly fans love, it’s an underdog story. And right now, that’s exactly what the Sixers are.
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