Wednesday was set to be a turning point for the Philadelphia 76ers, a team grappling with a challenging start to their NBA season. After just two wins in their first 13 games, the 76ers were eager to see how their core could perform when finally brought together on the court. However, the night unfolded with a mix of hope and heartbreak, as injuries and poor shooting overshadowed their efforts against the Memphis Grizzlies.
A Season Marred by Injuries
The start of the 76ers' season has been rocky, mostly due to injuries that benched crucial players. At the forefront of this injury list is Paul George, who made his first appearance this season alongside fellow stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. The game against the Grizzlies briefly teased what a healthy 76ers lineup might achieve.
Unfortunately, during the game, Paul George suffered a setback when he hyperextended his left knee in a collision with Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies. It's the same knee that had given him trouble with a bone bruise during the preseason. An MRI later confirmed there was no structural damage, bringing some relief to the team, but he's now slated to miss the next two games with a re-evaluation scheduled for Monday.
Disappointing Performance and a Tough Loss
Despite these setbacks, Joel Embiid delivered a standout performance with 35 points against Memphis. His effort, however, wasn't enough to stave off the 76ers' 117-111 defeat, which plunged their record deeper to a challenging 2-12, the worst in the league.
Tyrese Maxey, playing only his second game of the season, also struggled to make an impact. Maxey achieved a mere 3-of-13 shooting from the field and was unable to connect on any of his six attempts from beyond the arc. His return to the court has yet to deliver the spark the 76ers had hoped for.
A Grim Milestone
The current streak sets a grim scene for a team with championship aspirations. With only 14 games into the season, the marquee combination of Embiid, Maxey, and George has managed to share the court for a total of just six minutes. This lack of playing time together underscores the hurdles the team faces in building chemistry and ironing out gameplay strategies.
History offers minimal comfort for the 76ers. In NBA chronicles, just six teams have managed to overcome a 2-10 start to finish at .500 or better. The New Orleans Pelicans, who made a remarkable postseason run in 2022 following a dismal 3-16 start, might offer a blueprint for hope, but it's an exception rather than the norm.
As they face uncertainty in the coming games, the 76ers must rely on their resilience. With George sidelined and the team still learning to coalesce on the court, Philadelphia's focus will likely shift to finding immediate ways to overcome these internal and external challenges.
For the 76ers faithful, it's a trial of patience and belief, pinning hopes on the eventual return of a fully healthy roster. Meanwhile, the rest of the league watches closely, as Philadelphia attempts to navigate through the stormy early-season waters.