The Philadelphia 76ers’ biggest problem isn’t effort, form, or even injuries anymore – it’s the brutal truth staring them in the face.
They are 0-4 when their so-called Big 3 actually plays together.
Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey have shared the floor in just four of Philadelphia’s 29 games this season – and the Sixers haven’t won a single one of them. Friday’s 109-102 collapse against the Bulls only underlined the concern.
Embiid was dominant again with 31 points and Maxey chipped in 27, but when it mattered most, Philly folded. After Embiid put the Sixers up 102-99 late, Chicago ripped off a decisive 10-0 run to steal the game.
Paul George’s presence was meant to elevate this team into true contention. Instead, the trio has yet to click – or even stay healthy long enough to find rhythm. Injuries have limited all three, but when they are available together, the results have been alarming.
Meanwhile, Chicago surged late behind Coby White, who scored nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, as the Bulls exposed Philadelphia’s lack of cohesion down the stretch.
The Sixers were built to win in May and June. Right now, they’re struggling to survive December.
Around the League
Eastern Conference leaders Detroit suffered a late gut punch in Utah, falling 131-129 when Keyonte George buried the game-winner with 2.1 seconds left. Cade Cunningham had briefly rescued the Pistons with two clutch free throws, but his buzzer-beating three rimmed out.
The loss snapped Detroit’s three-game streak and trimmed their East lead over New York to 2.5 games, while Utah (11-19) halted a four-game slide. George starred with 31 points, Lauri Markkanen added 30, and Cunningham finished with 29 points and 17 assists.
There was bad news off the floor for the Los Angeles Lakers, who confirmed guard Austin Reaves will miss at least four weeks with a left calf strain suffered against Houston.
In Indianapolis, Boston rolled on. Jaylen Brown scored 30, Payton Pritchard added 29 points and nine rebounds, and Sam Hauser caught fire off the bench with 23 points on 7-of-8 shooting from deep as the Celtics crushed Indiana 140-122. Boston made it four straight wins; the Pacers slid to seven straight losses.
Washington climbed out of the NBA cellar with a 138-117 win over Toronto. Kyshawn George (23), C.J. McCollum (21) and Bilal Coulibaly (21) powered a second-half surge after trailing at the break. Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 29, but Toronto slipped to 18-14.
Miami snapped a three-game skid with a 126-111 win in Atlanta behind Norman Powell’s 25 and Pelle Larsson’s 21, while Phoenix rode Devin Booker’s 30 to a 115-108 victory in New Orleans.
Elsewhere, LaMelo Ball’s 22 lifted Charlotte past Orlando, and Jaren Jackson Jr. posted 24 points and nine rebounds as Memphis thumped Milwaukee 125-104.