Philadelphia 76ers Weekly Report: A Crucial Loss

(AP Photo/ Matt Slocum)

Game 64: Monday March. 10th, 2025

Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks

Final Score: ATL 132 – PHI 123

Another 76ers loss, another really good Quentin Grimes game. Of course, it’s hard to be completely subjective when it comes to Grimes. He’s essentially been given the keys to the kingdom in Philly while everyone is out, and that means he gets to do whatever he wants. That being said, the numbers he’s putting up are great, but most importantly, they are efficient. The Sixers aren’t trying to win and are often down bunches quite quickly, but 19 points a game on 50% from the field is no joke, especially for a guard. 

He must be the focal point of every defense at this point, but he’s still getting his and doing it easily. Not only did Grimes show out again and really solidify how perfect he could be as a sixth man next season, but the Sixers also picked up another crucial loss. Jeff Dowtin was another standout, and he’s quietly put on quite a solid run these past two weeks. He’s often coming in with the game already out of hand, but he’s making shots, and that’s all you can ask for. 

Game 65: Wednesday, March. 12th, 2025

Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors

Final Score: TOR 118 – PHI 105

This was by far the most important game of the week, and the Sixers came out with the result they wanted. Both teams desperately tried to lose, although the Raptors were much more blatant about it. The Sixers at least trotted out three guys who will be in the NBA next year. The Raptors had Jakob Poeltl. Despite their best efforts, the Raptors still won, a major win in the race to the bottom. Grimes and Dowtin had good scoring nights again, particularly Dowtin, who scored a then career-high 20 on 9/14 from the field. Justin Edwards, who was looking like a second-round steal for a minute, has faded as of late, but then again, he has a lot less to play off of, and he was never going to be an NBA-level shot creator out of the gate. 

This game saw the Raptors leap the Sixers, which is a crucial drop in the Sixers’ standings. This might be their only loss of the season.

Game 66: Friday, March. 14th, 2025

Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers

Final Score: IND 112 – PHI 100

Grimes sat this one out, all but ensuring the los,s and the Sixers did not disappoint. Notable players, including Dowtin, reset his career-high with 24 on 11/20 from the field, which was another nice little performance for the third-year player. A projected guard lineup next year of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Jeff Dowti,n, and Quentin Grimes is certainly a lot of scoring from the position. Defense and play-making might be a bit questionable, but that’s a future Sixers issue.

Guerschon Yabusele has struggled since the Sixers started tanking, but Edwards is in a similar situation. He’s a guy who benefits the most from playing off stars, a true role-player. Perhaps it would be nice to see him be a bit more assertive in these games, but perhaps it would also lower his value for an easier re-sign come the offseason.

Game 67: Sunday, March. 16th, 2025

Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks

Final Score: PHI 130 – PHI 125

The Sixers, for the third week in a row, failed to secure a perfect tanking week on the last day. Still, you can’t lose them all, and the Mavericks are legitimately decimated. The Sixers aren’t the picture of health either, but when emergency subs are being discussed, you know things are dire. An insane 20 players were listed in this game.

Grimes returned to the lineup and burned his former team to the tune of 28 points and six assists. Dowtin finished up a good week by scoring 14, while fairly new signing Jalen Hood-Schifino had one of the best games of his career. He seems like a worthy reclamation project, drafted just one year ago in the first with some nice physical traits. Guys like this are exactly who should be getting a lot of run the rest of the year. The Sixers didn’t pick up a loss, but it wasn’t all bad news today.

Standings Watch

The Sixers two biggest rivals in the tank battle also played today. The Raptors ensured they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers by benching Barnes and Poeltl down the stretch in a close game. I can’t really blame them, considering Utah basically did the same thing to them on Friday. The Brooklyn Nets came through with a big win over the Atlanta Hawks, though, sort of erasing the Sixer’s win. As things stand, it’s Raptors, Sixers, and Nets, with all three teams within one game. We may see some truly heinous things yet in this tank battle.

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Patrick Yen is a contributor on Back Sports Page.  He has written for NBC, SB Nation, and a few other websites during his journalism career. He has been the Back Sports Page beat writer for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Patrick, a graduate of Ohio State University, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but moved to Columbus, Ohio, early in his life and has lived there ever since. You can find more of Patrick on Twitter @pyen117.