In the Post- Sixers Lose To The Wizards
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: James Harden #1 and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers speak during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Wells Fargo Center on October 24, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers snapped their three-game winning streak on Wednesday night. They returned home to Philadelphia to host the visiting Washington Wizards at the Penn Medicine Court at The Center — falling, 121-111. Here are a few notes from the game:
- With All-Star center Joel Embiid out for a second consecutive game due to a non-COVID illness, the Sixers’ lack of size played a big part in the loss. The Wizards’ 7’3 center Kristaps Porzingis had his way against the smaller Sixers frontcourt, led by starting “center” PJ Tucker en route to a 30-point night. This was an adjustment that was made after game one on Monday where the Sixers defeated Washington by imposing their will. Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. made the necessary changes in order to exploit the matchups.
- A key reserve, De’Anthony Melton, also missed the game due to lower back tightness. Forcing head coach Doc Rivers to make another adjustment to the starting lineup. Rivers called Matisse Thybulle’s number as he got the nod in the first five. Thybulle had an immediate defensive impact on the game early on in the first quarter. But the 4th year wing suffered an ankle sprain that only allowed him to play 15-plus minutes on the night. Philadelphia was now down their top two perimeter defenders. Against a team with some pretty good scorers on the perimeter, led by All-Star Bradley Beal. Thursday’s off day should help them heal up. Potentially allowing Melton and Thybulle to be ready for their next game on Friday.
- 18 minutes combined from your backup big men, Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed, was not enough against Porzingis and backup center Daniel Gafford. The small ball lineup may work against a team like the Toronto Raptors who starts 6’9 power forward Pascal Siakam as their “big man”. But that may not always work with a team that has a traditional big. With one open roster spot should the 76ers explore the free-agent market for some more size? Maybe.
A disappointing loss in a winnable game against a team that you beat just two days ago. Now they have to pick up the pieces and try to start a new winning streak. They next play Friday night as they host their Atlantic Division opponent rival the New York Knicks.
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