Philadelphia 76ers: From Offseason Triumph to Early Season Turmoil
THE JULY 6 POST on Daryl Morey’s Instagram page was a snapshot of triumph, a moment that seemed to encapsulate the Philadelphia 76ers’ offseason victory. Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, stood on the left in the photo, dressed in all black with a sharp blue suit jacket. Beside him was general manager Elton Brand, arm draped around his colleague. Free agent forward Paul George, casually sporting sweat shorts and an Allen Iverson T-shirt, had his arms around owner Josh Harris and assistant general manager Peter Dinwiddie. And on the far right? None other than Hall of Famer Julius Erving, holding a black leather baseball cap.
The photo was taken in the early hours of July 1, just after George committed to a four-year, $212 million deal with the Sixers. It was a celebratory moment, marking the team as the unofficial winners of the NBA offseason. Everyone in the picture looked happy, albeit tired, as they stood in their socks after a two-hour meeting at George’s Los Angeles home. Yes, socks—because the group had respectfully removed their shoes to avoid tracking dirt onto George’s pristine hardwood floors.
But as the Sixers’ disastrous 3-13 start to the season has shown, not all the baggage was left at the door that night.
A Championship Roster in Freefall
What was supposed to be a championship-caliber roster has instead plummeted to the second-worst record in the NBA. Injuries and suspensions have plagued the team. Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, has played in just four games due to knee injury management and a suspension. George has appeared in only eight games after suffering two frightening left knee hyperextensions. Meanwhile, All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has missed six games with a hamstring injury.
To make matters worse, the Sixers have faced a karmic gauntlet of matchups against teams they’ve made blockbuster trades with in recent years. First, they eked out an ugly 113-98 win over Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets. Then came a demoralizing 125-99 loss to James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers, followed by a Wednesday night showdown with the surging Houston Rockets, who have thrived after rebuilding with assets from the first Harden trade.
From Title Contenders to Play-In Hopefuls
The Sixers entered the season with high expectations, projected to win 51.5 games. Now, their goal has shifted to simply staying within striking distance of a play-in tournament spot. Team sources estimate they’ll need at least 33 wins to make it in the Eastern Conference, which has been underwhelming this year.
Already, the season has been marred by drama. Embiid, frustrated by criticism of his commitment, lashed out, saying, “I’ve done way too much for this f—ing city to be treated like this.” Days later, he was suspended for shoving a reporter who mentioned his son and late brother in a critical column. In a team meeting, Maxey called out Embiid for being “late to everything,” which led to Embiid and George questioning who leaked the story to ESPN. Maxey later made a public plea for the team to “play with some pride” after a particularly disheartening loss.
Bright Spots and Brutal Realities
Despite the chaos, rookie guard Jared McCain has been a rare bright spot. Pressed into action due to injuries, McCain has emerged as a leading Rookie of the Year contender, averaging 16.6 points per game and scoring 20 or more in seven of the last 10 games. His on-court success and viral TikTok videos have provided a glimmer of hope for a team otherwise mired in dysfunction.
But the harsh realities remain. Embiid’s knee issues, which the team hoped to manage with rest and medical procedures, have persisted. When he finally debuted on Nov. 12, he looked far from his usual self, scoring just 13 points on 2-of-11 shooting in a 111-99 loss to the New York Knicks. The Sixers are winless in the four games Embiid has played this season—a stark contrast to last year, when they went 31-8 with him on the court.
Locker Room Tensions and Leaks
After a loss to the Miami Heat on Nov. 18, tensions boiled over in a team meeting. Maxey criticized Embiid for not being present at shootarounds and meetings, while other players aired frustrations with the coaching staff. Head coach Nick Nurse acknowledged the meeting, calling it “brutally honest” and a necessary step toward addressing the team’s issues. However, the meeting’s details were leaked to the media the next day, further eroding trust within the locker room.
Looking Ahead
The Sixers’ season has been a perfect storm of injuries, underperformance, and internal strife. While the team clings to the hope that their three stars—Embiid, George, and Maxey—can eventually find their rhythm together, the clock is ticking. With their first-round pick in this year’s draft potentially owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it falls outside the top six, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For now, the Sixers can only hope that their fortunes will turn around. But as the losses pile up and the drama continues, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this season might already be slipping away.
Originally Written by: Ramona Shelburne
