PHILADELPHIA, PA—Coming home after a six-game road trip, the Sixers looked to whip up some home cooking against the visiting Phoenix Suns. A couple of hours before the opening tip, it was announced that the Sixers would be without Joel Embiid and Kyle Lowry, with Andre Drummond to be a soon-to-be-included addition.
Being shorthanded is nothing new to this season’s Sixers, who have spent the entire season with one malady or another, but as the year lingers on, Philadelphia has little option but to fight through the pain.
Though the visiting Suns are not world-beaters in the Western Conference, a team boasting the talents of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal cannot be taken lightly. Phoenix debuted a brand new starting lineup that saw Beal and Jusuf Nurkic head to the bench.
Initially, the Suns’ new lineup failed to pay off as Philadelphia pulled out to a quick 23-16 lead, but as the game labored on, the Sixers’ offense became more and more stagnant, allowing the Suns to not only pull back within reach but take the lead during the second half.
Philadelphia’s offense would come to a near stop in the third quarter, scoring nine points in the first eight minutes. Meanwhile, the floodgates would open defensively as the Sixers would allow 36 points to a Suns square who only managed 42 points in the previous two quarters.
Tyrese Maxey struggled early offensively, while Paul George could not find his footing against the Suns throughout the night. A lack of ball movement or any semblance of offensive cohesion limited the Sixers’ chances in this one from the moment the Suns adjusted.
A fury of Kelly Oubre toward the end of the third quart kept Philadelphia close, entering the fourth, as he continued to punish Phoenix inside the paint, being rewarded with both the basket and the foul repeatedly.
The resistance of a thousand Suns met another fourth-quarter push, although it was actually more like 11 members of the Phoenix Suns. Kevin Durant had woken up and would not be denied in this final quarter. Just like that, another winnable game goes by the wayside for Philadelphia, who now sits with a 14-20 record on the season.
Up next for the Sixers
The Sixers will next welcome Kyle Kuzma and the Washington Wizards to Philadelphia for a matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., and you can catch the game on NBA Sports Philadelphia or listen live at 97.5 FM the Fanatic.