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In Philadelphia, the 76ers entered the season with an optimistic catchphrase: “Made for This.” However, the atmosphere in the arena recently turned sour as fans voiced their frustrations at yet another extensive injury list scrolling across the big screen, leading to a collective lament of “We Paid for This?”
Key player Joel Embiid was sidelined once more, joined by Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, while several other crucial contributors like Kyle Lowry and Andre Drummond were also unavailable for the team’s matchup against Oklahoma City. Consequently, the 76ers fell to the Thunder, who won 118-102. Although the Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are performing extraordinarily well with a record of 33-6, the 76ers find themselves grappling with injuries and dwindling playoff hopes. With a dismal 15-23 record, the 76ers are closer to the draft lottery than they are to securing a postseason berth.
The situation may intensify in the coming days, as the team faces the Knicks next and then embarks on a challenging three-game road trip to Indiana, Milwaukee, and Denver—each boasting winning records. A potential relief back at home against Cleveland on January 24 might be the only solace in sight.
Tyrese Maxey is dealing with a left hand sprain from a loss to Orlando, while Paul George is suffering from ankle soreness. The two-time scoring champion, Embiid, has missed his 25th game this season due to ongoing issues. He has participated in only 13 contests, with the team posting a 7-6 record during his appearances but sinking to 8-17 without him. Presently, Embiid continues to sit out with a sprained left foot, alongside other prior health concerns that included knee soreness and a sinus fracture.
Coach Nick Nurse remains hopeful despite the challenges, stating that there are still around 44 games left in the season. He expressed a focus on keeping the team unified while working on improvements from those who need it. “We got out of the 3-14 and played some really good basketball,” Nurse said, acknowledging the hurdles they’ve faced.
Embiid is reportedly day-to-day, and Nurse described the last-minute news about Maxey and George not available for the game as a “gut punch.” There’s still uncertainty about the playing status of these All-Star players in the upcoming bout against the Knicks.
After a rough start, the 76ers showcased promising performances by winning 10 of their last 13 games, marked by a significant Christmas victory in Boston. However, after Embiid injured his foot during that game and has not played since January 4, the team is left reeling. Approaching the season with a cautious strategy for Embiid is essential, especially since there are effectively no minutes restrictions when he isn’t on the court.
Nurse had hoped the team could build momentum but noted the unpredictability of injuries. Following the announcement of a lineup that included Ricky Council IV’s first start of the season, the Thunder were established as heavy 16.5-point favorites. When Gilgeous-Alexander hit a three-pointer to give Oklahoma a hefty first-quarter lead, the Philadelphia crowd responded with boos, reflecting their disappointment. Despite the setbacks, the Sixers showed resilience, narrowing the lead to 91-87 at one point, but ultimately fell short as the Thunder secured the victory.
For now, the 76ers aim to hold on to the hope that there’s a path to salvage the remainder of their season.
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