The Philadelphia 76ers had a rough night against the Brooklyn Nets, falling short 100-96 on Wednesday. With both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey sidelined due to injuries, the team struggled to keep up, heading into the All-Star break on a disappointing five-game losing streak. Sitting at 20-34, the Sixers now have just 28 games left to turn things around.
Nets Dominate the Boards and Get Key Contributions
One of the biggest factors in the game was Brooklyn’s dominance on the glass. The Nets out-rebounded the Sixers 50-38, taking full advantage of Embiid’s absence. D’Angelo Russell stepped up in a big way for Brooklyn, leading the charge with 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Trendon Watford provided a strong spark off the bench, adding 18 points, while Nic Claxton contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds, and an impressive five blocks, benefiting from not having to contend with Embiid in the paint.
Big Performances from Oubre Jr. and Grimes
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for Philadelphia. Kelly Oubre Jr. had a stellar night, putting up 30 points, while Quentin Grimes matched his output with 30 points of his own, along with nine rebounds and four assists. Justin Edwards also contributed off the bench with 13 points and five rebounds. Jared Butler had a solid showing with eight points and nine assists, and Guerschon Yabusele chipped in five points. However, Paul George struggled significantly, scoring just two points on 1-for-7 shooting, despite grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists.
Biggest Takeaways from the Game
1. Paul George’s Disappearance on Offense
With Embiid and Maxey out, the Sixers needed Paul George to step up and be aggressive on the offensive end. Instead, he was nearly invisible. In the first half, he attempted only three shots and went scoreless. Even after halftime, he only managed to go 1-for-4 from the field. While he made an impact defensively with two steals and three blocks, his offensive struggles severely hurt Philadelphia’s chances.
Coach Nick Nurse addressed George’s lackluster offensive performance after the game:
“I think he had a couple of opportunities there. They double-teamed him a lot. They weren’t gonna give him a ton of looks. Even off-ball stuff, they were sending two to him, so he didn’t really have much choice but to move the ball. I thought he did turn down a couple shots that I really expected him to take, but he played hard on defense. Did we need him to score more? Yeah, but we needed a lot of people to contribute offensively tonight.”
2. Strong Play from Quentin Grimes and Jared Butler
Grimes had one of his best performances since joining the Sixers, going 10-for-18 from the field and knocking down four three-pointers. His all-around effort on both ends of the floor provided a much-needed boost. Butler, despite a tough shooting night (2-for-9), still found ways to contribute with his nine assists, proving that he can be a reliable backup guard for the team.
Coach Nurse was pleased with what he saw from Grimes and Butler:
“We had to decide who was going to start at point guard with Tyrese out, and we went with Jared. I thought it was more about offensive creation. We also inserted Q in there to give us spacing and some offensive flow. Q played a great game, and Jared had a solid outing as well. He had some turnovers, but overall, I think he did well given the circumstances.”
3. The Backup Center Question
With Embiid out, the Sixers had to experiment with different options at center. Yabusele started, while Andre Drummond was the first big man off the bench, followed by rookie Adem Bona. Drummond finished with four points and eight rebounds, while Bona had two points, two rebounds, and a block in limited minutes. Finding a reliable backup center remains a work in progress for Philadelphia.
Nurse gave some insight into his decision to play Bona late in the first half:
“He came in and erased a shot right away. We were struggling at the rim, and Brooklyn was using their size advantage to attack. Bona brought energy, rebounded well, and showed he could be a defensive presence. On back-to-backs, we need energy, and he gave us a spark. That’s why we went with him again in the third quarter.”
Looking Ahead
The Sixers have a lot to figure out as they head into the All-Star break. The losing streak is concerning, but with 28 games left in the season, there’s still time to turn things around. Key questions remain:
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Will Embiid and Maxey return soon, and how effective will they be?
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Can Paul George shake off his struggles and become the offensive force they need?
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Who will emerge as the reliable backup center in case of future injuries?
Philadelphia needs to regroup quickly, make the necessary adjustments, and come back stronger after the break. If they can address their weak points and get their key players back healthy, they still have a chance to finish the season on a positive note.
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