In 1995, a child was quoted outside of a Springfield-area Krusty Burger saying, “Stop, stop, he’s already dead.”
Those words have never rung more true than after the Sixers‘ latest embarrassing loss, this time at the hands of the Chicago Bulls. Coming into the night having lost seven straight games, the Sixers seemed poised for a potential bounce-back game against the Bulls, who, like the Sixers, were on their own extended losing streak (six games).
While the Sixers would not have Joel Embiid, as he and the team continue to re-evaluate his knee condition, the Bulls would be without Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, and Jalen Smith.
Without Embiid, there was even optimism that the Sixers could operate with a bit more efficiency than they have as of late. Embiid’s knee condition has caused him to lumber and limp, while his stubbornness has caused the offense to stagnate. That optimism proved unwarranted though as the Sixers, effective from the jump, were raced off the floor by the far hungrier Chicago Bulls.
Since they traded away Zach LaVine on Feb. 5, the Bulls have boasted the NBA’s sixth-worst offensive rating (110.5). Among the five teams with a worse offensive rating are the Hornets, the Nets, the Raptors, the Heat, and the Sixers (110.0). They scored 142 against the Sixers in this game.
In a season that has seen several unserious defensive performances by the Sixers, this was truly a next-level effort — or rather lack thereof.
Kevin Huerter, who has struggled all season, even after his move from Sacramento to Chicago, looked like the second coming of Reggie Miller, knocking down 7-11 threes. The Bulls as a team have been the eighth-worst team shooting beyond the arc since they traded away LaVine (33.7%). They shot 18-40 (45%) against the Sixers in this game.
Just an embarrassing game on many levels, none more so than the complete lack of effort put forth by this team.
Up next for the Sixers
Philadelphia will next head up to New York to the Garden as they prepare to face the Knicks on Wednesday night. The Knicks are coming off two straight losses, which, for some teams, would motivate them in an upcoming matchup.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. You can catch the game live on NBC Sports Philadelphia or ESPN. As always, you can also listen live at 97.5 FM, the Fanatic.
For the latest breaking news on your Philadelphia 76ers and other Philly sports, follow Zach Ciavolella on X — @CiavoNBA and Bluesky — @ciavo.bsky.social
