The Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up their grueling six-game road trip on Monday night with a disappointing 112-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. After a promising start with a win to open the trip, the Sixers found themselves spiraling into a five-game losing streak, raising questions about their momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
A Battle Against the Odds
Despite the loss, Philadelphia showed resilience. They clawed their way back into the game in the third quarter, even taking a lead at one point. But just when it seemed like they had a chance to turn things around, the Pelicans unleashed an offensive surge that the Sixers simply couldn’t withstand. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially considering that New Orleans was without key players like Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Bruce Brown Jr.
The Missing Piece: Quentin Grimes
Philadelphia was also shorthanded, opting to rest top scorer Quentin Grimes. Given how much he has carried the offensive load recently, the decision made sense for long-term sustainability. However, his absence was deeply felt in a game where the Sixers needed every bit of firepower to keep up.
Standout Performances Amid the Struggle
While the Sixers struggled as a team, a few individual performances stood out:
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Jared Butler and Justin Edwards led the scoring charge with 19 points each.
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Jeff Dowtin Jr. contributed 12 points and added three blocks on the defensive end.
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Jalen Hood-Schifino provided a spark off the bench with nine points.
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Guerschon Yabusele had an all-around solid performance, posting 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
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Chuma Okeke also had an impactful night, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
Jared Butler: The X-Factor?
One of the biggest positives from the game was Jared Butler’s offensive display. Going up against a Pelicans team with defensive vulnerabilities, Butler showcased his ability to attack off the dribble with a quick first step. His shot from deep was falling, continuing his recent trend of improved three-point shooting. With only 10 games left in the season, the Sixers might want to give Butler more minutes to see if he can develop into a reliable third-guard option for the future.
Edwards’ Mixed Bag on Offense
It was an interesting night for Justin Edwards. He lit it up from beyond the arc, knocking down 5-of-9 from deep. However, his overall shooting performance wasn’t quite as impressive, as he went just 6-for-18 from the field. His struggles converting mid-range looks were unexpected, considering that’s usually one of his stronger areas. Still, if he can continue shooting the three-ball at this rate, he’ll be a major asset for Philadelphia moving forward. Like Butler, Edwards’ development should be a focus in these final games of the season.
A Nightmare Season for Nick Nurse
At this point, someone needs to buy Nick Nurse a beer. It has been a brutal season for the Sixers' head coach, and Monday’s loss was just another reminder of the challenges he has faced. While Nurse hasn’t had a flawless year from a strategic standpoint, he also hasn’t had a consistent roster to work with. He’s been forced to shuffle lineups almost every night, relying on players signed to 10-day and two-way contracts.
Monday was a perfect example of this instability. The game marked the 48th different starting lineup Nurse has used this season. To make matters even crazier, Marcus Bagley—who the Sixers signed to a 10-day contract just before tip-off—had to fly commercial to New Orleans just to make it in time for the game. Talk about making do with what you have!
Where Do the Sixers Go From Here?
With just 10 games left in the season, the Sixers need to regroup fast. The losing streak is concerning, but there are still opportunities to turn things around. A few key areas of focus could help:
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Getting healthy: Resting Grimes was smart, but they’ll need him back at full strength to compete.
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Maximizing young talent: Players like Butler and Edwards need more chances to prove themselves.
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Stabilizing rotations: Nurse has been forced into constant lineup changes, but finding some consistency could go a long way in these final games.
Final Thoughts
While this road trip didn’t end the way Philadelphia hoped, there were some silver linings. Butler and Edwards showed flashes of potential, and despite their struggles, the Sixers fought hard against a Pelicans team that had its own injury issues. The next step is learning from these losses, making the necessary adjustments, and finishing the season strong.
Philadelphia fans know this team has fight—now it’s just about putting the pieces together at the right time.
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