After starting the week on a high note, the 76ers fell flat, losing three straight. In four games this week, Philadelphia needs two win multiple for a shot out of the Play-In Tournament. The East’s current eight seed holds a record of 39-35 with recent news of hope that Joel Embiid could return before the regular season’s end.
Sixers Fall to the Wild West
Last Sunday, the Sixers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers on the road 121-107 behind Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and Cameron Payne‘s combined 71 points. However, the team’s high hopes of making a run against their Western opponents quickly came to an end, losing to the Sacramento Kings 108-96. Tyrese Maxey poured in 29 points in a one-man effort, but the Kings essentially outperformed the Sixers in every aspect of the game. Then, the 76ers returned home for a rematch against the Clippers and fell just short 108-107, following a heroic final two possessions from Kawhi Leonard. In their only Eastern matchup of the week, the Sixers lost their third in a row to the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-114. It was a solid offensive effort from Philadelphia, but a Georges Niang revenge game, posting 25 points, boosted the Cavs to the win.
Holding on to Hope
With just eight games remaining, and four of them coming this week, the 76ers only hope comes from a recent headline. The team’s star center and reigning MVP is hopeful to return before the end of the regular season. It has become evident that Philadelphia is not the same team without Embiid, and if they want a chance to win a playoff series, it will have to come from the hands of Joel. With games against the Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat, and Memphis Grizzlies, it would take a majority of those games to be wins and some help from the Indiana Pacers or Orlando Magic to jump out of the Play-In Tournament before Embiid’s return.

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