KEY POINTS
- The Philadelphia 76ers struggle to find consistency as Joel Embiid remains sidelined with knee and shin injuries.
- Philadelphia has dropped seven of their last eight contests when playing without the former league MVP.
- The New Orleans Pelicans aim to bounce back at home after a high-scoring loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Philadelphia 76ers are searching for internal solutions as they begin a difficult three-game road trip. The team travels to New Orleans on Saturday to face the Pelicans without the services of Joel Embiid. The star center is currently managing ongoing knee and shin issues that have kept him out of the lineup. His absence has created a significant void in both the offensive and defensive schemes for head coach Nick Nurse.
Philadelphia’s recent form highlights the massive impact of losing their primary interior presence. The Sixers have struggled mightily without Embiid, losing seven of the last eight games he has missed. This trend continued on Wednesday with a frustrating 117-107 home defeat against the Atlanta Hawks. In that contest, the team shot a disappointing 38.4% from the field and lacked their usual rhythm.
Tyrese Maxey has taken on a heavy burden to keep the Philadelphia offense afloat during this stretch. While he managed 28 points against Atlanta, he struggled with efficiency by shooting 8 of 23 from the floor. Rookie standout VJ Edgecombe provided a spark with 20 points and nine rebounds in the same game. However, the team managed only 17 total assists, reflecting a lack of fluid ball movement without their focal point.
Veteran center Andre Drummond has stepped into the starting role to provide rebounding and physical presence. Drummond recorded 14 rebounds against the Hawks, but the team still lacks the 30-point threat Embiid provides. Nick Nurse expressed optimism that Embiid’s stint on the sidelines will not be a long-term situation. For now, the Sixers must find ways to manufacture points through collective effort and better shooting.
The New Orleans Pelicans present a unique challenge despite their own recent struggles on the court. New Orleans enters the matchup following a 139-118 loss to Milwaukee where they allowed 30-plus points in every quarter. Zion Williamson remains a dominant force, recently scoring 32 points on 13 of 17 shooting against the Bucks. The Pelicans focus heavily on scoring in the paint, where they recently tallied 84 points in a single game.
Injury concerns also affect the home team as they host this cross-conference battle. The Pelicans recently played without Trey Murphy III, who provides over 22 points per game and critical perimeter spacing. Without Murphy, New Orleans struggled from long distance, making only 4 of 25 attempts from beyond the arc. Coach James Borrego emphasized the need for other players to step up if their primary shooters remain out.
Both teams are desperate for a win to stabilize their respective seasons as the playoff race tightens. Philadelphia needs to prove they can win difficult road games without their best player to maintain postseason positioning. New Orleans wants to capitalize on their five-game homestand to climb out of the bottom of the Western Conference. The game will likely be decided by which team better manages their missing offensive production.
Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday evening at the Smoothie King Center in Louisiana. Fans are eager to see if the Sixers can finally snap their losing skid without Embiid. A victory would provide much-needed confidence before the team heads to Minnesota and Indiana. Meanwhile, the Pelicans hope their interior dominance can overwhelm a shorthanded Philadelphia frontcourt.
