76ers’ Playoff Hopes On Life Support As Disastrous Start Rolls On

November 28, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers were supposed to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season. But after an offseason that had fans buzzing with excitement, the reality has hit hard.

As Ramona Shelburne of ESPN pointed out, the Sixers have gone from championship contenders to possibly fighting just to stay in the mix for a play-in spot.

A team that was widely regarded as having one of the league’s most dynamic duos in Joel Embiid and Paul George is now a shell of that potential. With a 3-14 start, the clock is ticking, and their chances are fading fast.

According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI), the Sixers are projected to finish with 36.3 wins, which would put them on the bubble for a play-in berth. However, this forecast is hardly a guarantee.

The BPI model assumes that Embiid and George will stay healthy and available throughout the season, but as we’ve seen, injuries have been a consistent issue for both stars. That’s a massive caveat, especially when you consider their recent struggles to even play at an All-NBA level when they are on the court.

The model does give the Sixers a 78% chance of reaching at least 33 wins, but even that isn’t a safe bet. There’s a 14% chance they could fall short of that mark, meaning they’re walking a fine line.

And while the team’s struggles are alarming enough, what’s more concerning is the fact that they’re in this position so early in the season. With the trade deadline months away, it’s hard to imagine how they’ll find a way to turn this around, especially if Embiid and George can’t stay healthy and find their rhythm.

For a franchise that had hopes of contending, the next few weeks could determine whether they’re just a story of missed opportunity or something much worse.