Philly is just two back of a play-in spot despite Monday’s loss to Phoenix.
Before the 2024-25 NBA season, big things were expected from the Philadelphia 76ers in the East and the Phoenix Suns in the West.
The Sixers acquired Paul George during the summer to form a star trio with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Meanwhile, the Suns already had a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, but the triad wasn’t healthy enough to make a run last season.
After Monday’s games, both teams are outside the Top 10 in their respective conferences and have disappointed. Comparing the two squads, former NBA player Chandler Parsons explained why Phoenix is the bigger disappointment.
“It’s the Suns, especially because of the health situation in Philly and the Joel Embiid unknown,” said Parsons. “I think we are more upset with his comments, the no back-to-backs, and I still think that it’s gonna be bigger that’s going to be handled surgically, but to me, it’s healthy with them. When they all play, they are good. Paul George is starting to get his legs back, Tyrese Maxey’s back. That team still has a chance in the East.”
Injuries are Philly’s main issue
The 76ers began the season with a 3-14 record. Embiid missed the start of the year to manage his left knee, as George and Maxey had their own share of injury woes. However, with Joel starting to play more games recently, Philly has begun to climb back into the team standings.
JoJo has played nine games since December 9th, with Philly going 7-2 during that span. The big man missed Monday’s contest against the Suns with a foot sprain, and the Sixers lost 99-109. Despite falling to 14-20, the 76ers are just 3.5 games off the sixth seed and only two behind the 10th seed. Meanwhile, it’s a different plot in the Valley of the Suns.
“The Suns, now there’s the drama with Beal and Nurkic coming off the bench,” added Parsons. “And when this team is healthy, they were also pretty good. If you remember early in the season when all three of them played together, they actually were a pretty solid basketball team, but they just haven’t found ways to do that consistently.”
Suns are making rotation changes
After losing seven of their previous eight games, Mike Budenholzer decided to make a drastic lineup change by making Beal and Jusuf Nurkic come off the bench against the Sixers. That worked, as Bradley scored 25 points in his first non-start in nine years, and the Suns emerged victorious. However, at 16-18, they are not where they are supposed to be.
“To me, I look at the Suns as one of the best teams in the Western Conference, and I thought for sure they would be a Top 4 seed, especially with that Big 3. They just haven’t figured out a way to get those guys to play together. They have all the pieces, but whatever reason, basketball fit-wise, just haven’t gone the Suns’ way,” continued Chandler.
The Suns’ path to the postseason is more challenging, with the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, and Sacramento Kings joining them in the battle for the final two playoff spots in the West. It also remains to be seen if Beal and PHX can win consistently.