At 2-11 coming into the game, the 76ers desperately needed a win against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. Instead, not only did they take a double-digit loss, but they also lost Paul George with an unknown knee injury.
The game started close enough up until the second quarter when the Grizzlies began to pull away. They took a 10-point lead into halftime and never looked back, sending the 76ers into panic mode fresh off their emotional team meeting this week. The final score was relatively close (117-111) but it never felt like the Sixers were truly within reach.
“I think 2-12 officially erases the expectation of a top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference,” wrote an NBA fan on X. “Even if the Sixers go on an absolute tear for 68 games, how many people will believe in the likelihood of a deep playoff run considering the math for NBA teams in the play-in?”
The 76ers are ranked dead last in the East, behind the Wizards, Raptors, Bucks, and Charlotte Hornets. This loss marked their 5th straight and fans are at a loss as to how they can turn it around. One fan even suggested they should turn it in this season and rest their stars for the rest of the way.
“If you think the Sixers should do anything other than shut Embiid and PG down, eat the fines, and do everything they can to keep their protected pick you’re lying to yourself,” wrote one fan. “This team is mediocre at best. Their marquee stars are done as floor raisers. It is time to move on.”
Paul George was the story of the game, for all the wrong reasons. He finished with just 2 points on 16.7% shooting before exiting the game with a mysterious knee injury. No word yet has been given on when he will return, but there is no denying that it’s a big blow for a 76ers team struggling to keep their season alive.
“Can’t decide if the Sixers look worse on offense or defense,” wrote one frustrated fan.
For his part, Joel Embiid has had a pretty rough start this season but he did his best to turn it around in this one with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists on 47.6% shooting. He was trying everything to carry his team to victory but it was all in vain.
“Pros from this game: Embiid looked great after the first quarter,” posted a fan on X. “Back in his bag, aggressively looking for his shot, defensive deterrent. Good signs all around. Cons from this game: Quite literally everything else…”
With Tyrese Maxey struggling, the 76ers needed more from their role-players but they didn’t have much to give tonight. Besides Embiid, Jared McCain (20 points and 5 assists on 46.2% shooting), and Guerschon Yarbusele (17 points and 4 rebounds on 75.0% shooting), every 76ers player struggled to find a rhythm and nobody was there to step up.
“Maybe I’m dumb but it sure felt like McCain Yabu Oubre and Caleb Martin played their asses off all night,” wrote a fan. “Tyrese looked like he hadn’t played in 3 weeks. Joel continued to look bad besides like 6 minutes in the third. PG, idk lol.”
On the other side, the Grizzlies played an impressive game on both ends and it was all without Ja Morant. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s lockdown defense kept the 76ers in check but he also stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 46.2% shooting. Desmond Bane put up 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists on 44.4% shooting.
“Almost everyone on Memphis’s B team can make an open 3 and the Sixers have so many players who can’t make an open 3. When you have 3 max players, they have to be surrounded by shooting and there’s just not enough capable shooters,” wrote one fan in a post.
As a team, the 76ers shot just 43.3% from the field tonight and they had no answer for the Grizzlies, who pummeled them inside all night long. At 2-12 now, the 76ers officially have the worst record in the league and the bleeding may not stop anytime soon.
The only hope for salvation will come with Paul George’s return, but even then it’s unknown if he’ll be able to play up to his standards. This season has not been great for the NBA veteran with low statistical averages all across the board (16.7 points per game on 39% shooting).
One way or another, the 76ers are going to need somebody to step up or things could get ugly fast. Fortunately, the Sixers have a chance to get right with a matchup against the undermanned Nets on Friday, November 22nd. It will be their third game of the NBA Emirates Cup this season.
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