Game 49: Tuesday, Feb. 4th, 2025
Dallas Mavericks at Philadelphia 76ers
Final Score: PHI 118 – DAL 116
The 76ers really love to give hope and then take it all away. This was the part where they gave hope. Joel Embiid had a surprise appearance and went off. He dropped a 29-point triple-double and scored the go-ahead bucket. Tyrese Maxey also continued his great second half with 33. Guerschon Yabusele was fantastic again, and Justin Edwards seems to be really becoming something. He scored 16 and had a clutch block at the end.
Of course, the Mavs were missing the recently traded for Anthony Davis, so they were not close to full strength. Still, though, they’ve been down a star for a few games now, and Kyrie Irving played well. He went for a game-high 34 with nine boards.
Despite the win, there were some issues. Even with Embiid back, the rebounding was poor, which is a theme that will continue in the week. Embiid also didn’t shore up the interior defense as much as anticipated, perhaps showing he’s still not close to 100%. Considering it was revealed recently that he’d need off-season surgery, it probably won’t get much better, either.
Kyle Ross/Imagn Images
Game 50: Wednesday, Feb. 5th, 2025
Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers
Final Score: MIA 108 – PHI 102
A back-to-back meant no Embiid, but Paul George came back. And then the Sixers promptly lost to the Butler-less Heat. Again, that’s been their status for a while now, and Tyler Herro has really blossomed into something great. He scored 30, and Bam Adebayo had 18 and 13 boards, including an insane eight offensive. Nikola Jovic and Terry Roziers were also dominant off the bench, scoring 20+ each.
George struggled in his return. He was rushed back, considering his torn pinky ligament is normally a six-week injury, and it’s really been a shame. Every time he seems to be getting his footing, he gets hurt, and everything starts all over again. The Sixers had a horrendous shooting night, below 40% as a team and 30% from three. Not much to say in this one, it was just a bad game all-around for the Sixers.
AP Photo/Chris Szagola
Game 51: Friday, Feb. 7th, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons
Final Score: DET 125 – PHI 112
Game 51 saw Embiid return against a Cade Cunningham-less Pistons team. What should have been a major opportunity to pick up a crucial win, they lost. Malik Beasley had the game of his life, ripping nine threes en route to 36 points. The Sixers might have been able to weather that storm if not for some extremely sloppy play.
The Sixers were down 29 at the half but managed to cut it fairly close multiple times. Every time they would get somewhat in striking distance, though, they would have some horrendous run that really makes you question their willingness to win. The sequence at the end of the third quarter was an abomination to watch, and it was so bad that it led to an altercation between Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr.
The low effort and sloppiness at times was brutal. The Sixers gave up 21 offensive rebounds, and essentially every one of the Sixers 13 turnovers led to a free basket for the Pistons, who had 23 fastbreak points. Embiid was particularly bad in the first half, going 1/9 from the field. Maxey tried his best, but George was a passenger. Overall, an ugly loss for a myriad of reasons. The Sixers had been 7-1 when their big three played. Now it’s 7-2.
Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images
Game 52: Sunday, Feb. 9th, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks
Final Score: MIL 135 – PHI 127
The Sixers managed to dodge at least one star in every game they played this week and limp out 1-3. This time, the Bucks lacked Giannis Antetoukounmpo, but the Bucks simply buried them in a three-point barrage. Games like this happen; the Sixers had one when they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers a few weeks ago. It sucks to lose them, but it’s hard to say much could be done. However, it came at a rough time and in a rough circumstance.
At least the Sixers offense was able to keep up relatively well. Maxey went for 39, Embiid had 27, and Yabu had 18, all on above-average shooting at worst. That being said, Damian Lillard and Gary Trent Jr combined to shoot 15/30 from deep, and the Bucks overall hit 24/55. Not only that but rebounds reared their ugly head. This is Embiid and Andre Drummond available, which is incredibly concerning. That means it’s not just a personnel issue anymore.
Still, this one was far from the worst game they played this week, and it is a real shame to still take the L to a Giannis-less Bucks team.
AP Photo/Andy Manis
Weekly Musings: Trade Deadline and Standings Update
The trade deadline was not bad. Trading Caleb Martin one year in was a surprise, but besides a Christmas Miracle, Martin struggled here. It wasn’t for lack of effort, but most of the time, his shot was not falling enough for whatever reason. Quentin Grimes, on the other hand, is a very solid scoring guard that can help when the Sixers get stuck in offensive ruts.
They also dumped KJ Martin for nothing, which will allow them to participate in the buyout market and possibly extend Yabusele, who should be a major priority in the offseason.
As far as standings go, they lost half a game to the Chicago Bulls, but the Bulls also seem to have completely punted on the season by trading Zach Lavine. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks also seemed to capitulate with the trade of DeAndre Hunter. Those two teams should be gettable eventually as they are trying to lose. The Sixers are not. Ostensibly.
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.
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