The Philadelphia 76ers are currently grappling with a challenging phase in their season, having recently endured a three-game losing streak. Despite securing some commendable victories earlier in the month against opponents like the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks, their recent performance has raised concerns. The latest defeat came at the hands of the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder, a close match where the Sixers showed promise in the first half but ultimately fell short.
This recent slump has been compounded by unexpected losses to teams such as the Brooklyn Nets and the Chicago Bulls, which the Sixers were expected to defeat. Philadelphia now faces a crucial matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, who sit at 15-17 and occupy ninth place in the Western Conference.
The Sixers’ injury report shows that forwards Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford will be sidelined, and there’s uncertainty surrounding star center Joel Embiid, who is listed as questionable due to a right ankle sprain and knee management issues. Coach Nick Nurse confirmed that Embiid’s ankle injury was the factor that kept him out of the game against OKC.
On the flip side, Memphis is dealing with significant injuries as well, featuring a long list of players including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke, and Ty Jerome, all ruled out with various ailments. Jock Landale remains questionable for the Grizzlies.
One bright spot for Memphis has been sophomore center Zach Edey, who has been instrumental on both ends of the court this season, averaging 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. However, Edey is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, putting more pressure on Jaren Jackson Jr. to lead defensively alongside Santi Aldama, who has stepped up significantly in his recent performances.
The Grizzlies have faced their own challenges this season, particularly with star guard Ja Morant playing in only 15 games and struggling with his shooting efficiency. As a result, Memphis’s offensive rating has plummeted from sixth last season to 24th this year. Despite these issues, Morant remains a critical challenge for the Sixers, who will need Tyrese Maxey to continue stepping up defensively.
Jackson’s performances have also been noteworthy; he has recently averaged 24 points while shooting 47.1 percent from beyond the arc in his last seven games. Additionally, rookie Cedric Coward, the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft, is making waves with his impressive play, averaging 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
For the Sixers, a turnaround in shooting is essential, particularly for shooters like Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain, both of whom have experienced difficulties in recent games. Facing the Grizzlies presents a crucial opportunity for Philadelphia to overcome their losing streak and regain momentum in the tightly contested Eastern Conference.
The matchup is set for Tuesday, December 30, at 8:00 p.m. ET, at the FedExForum in Memphis. Fans can catch the action on NBC Sports Philadelphia or listen in on 97.5 The Fanatic. With a strong performance, the Sixers have the potential to shift the narrative of their season and set a more positive trajectory moving forward.