Sixers Trending Up: Power Rankings, Playoff Buzz, and a Rookie Making Noise
Two weeks ago, the Sixers were hovering in the NBA’s middle class - good enough to be in the conversation, but not quite loud enough to grab national attention. Fast forward to now, and things have shifted. Despite battling through injuries, illnesses, and that ever-persistent third-quarter curse, Philadelphia has won six of its last nine games and is starting to look like a team nobody will want to face come playoff time.
Even after a tough, short-handed loss to the struggling Nets on Tuesday, the Sixers are earning respect across the league. The vibes?
Surprisingly strong. “We’re in a good place,” said Paul George after the game.
And based on the latest power rankings and on-court trends, he’s not wrong.
The Third-Quarter Blues, the Fourth-Quarter Fire
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the Sixers’ third quarters continue to be a roller coaster - mostly the kind that drops straight down. Saturday’s comeback win over Dallas was another example of this team’s bizarre trend.
They were outscored 35-23 in the third, only to storm back with a 30-17 fourth quarter to steal the win. That’s not a one-off.
It was the 10th time this season they’ve lost the third quarter by double digits. It was also the seventh time they’ve flipped the script in the fourth with a double-digit win.
Nick Nurse, never one to shy away from a joke, summed it up after the Dallas game: “Hurry up, get the third [quarter] over, so we can get to the fourth.”
That trend continued against Brooklyn. The Sixers came out of halftime and managed just 20 points in the third, digging a 12-point hole they couldn’t climb out of - a rare game where their late-game magic didn’t show up in time.
ESPN Power Rankings: Holding at 11
ESPN kept the Sixers locked in at No. 11 this week, but the spotlight was on rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, who’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting young players in the league. Just a year ago, the Sixers weren’t even sure they’d keep their top-six protected first-round pick.
Now? That pick turned into Edgecombe - and he’s already playing like a foundational piece.
With Tyrese Maxey sidelined recently due to illness, Edgecombe stepped up in a big way, taking on more playmaking responsibilities and continuing to earn the trust of Nick Nurse. He’s leading the team in plus-minus - a stat that often reflects impact more than box score flash - and he’s been a two-way force, especially in crunch time.
Need proof? Just rewind to Friday’s win at Madison Square Garden.
Edgecombe hit two clutch jumpers, threw down a put-back dunk, and made a hustle play that set up the dagger three from Maxey. That’s not just playing well - that’s making winning plays when it matters most.
Through 24 games, Edgecombe is averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 43.2% from the field and 38.3% from deep. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
He’s already one of the team’s best perimeter defenders and has emerged as a reliable secondary scorer behind Maxey. For a rookie, that’s rare air.
The Athletic: Up to 11, and Climbing
The Athletic’s Law Murray bumped the Sixers up three spots to No. 11 this week, revisiting the question he posed back in Week 1: How does Paul George change things?
The answer? A lot.
Since George made his debut on November 17, the Sixers’ defensive rating has improved significantly - from 115.2 points allowed per 100 possessions (18th in the league) to 111.7. That’s a real jump, and it speaks to George’s presence as more than just a scorer. His length, awareness, and experience have helped solidify a defense that was struggling to find its identity early in the season.
He’s not logging huge minutes - around 25 per game - but his impact is undeniable. He gives Philadelphia a steadying force on both ends, and when he’s on the floor, the Sixers look more connected, more disciplined, and more dangerous.
Murray grouped the Sixers in a tier called “In Good a Place.” For a franchise that’s been through its fair share of chaos over the years, that phrase feels almost surreal - and yet, it fits.
Big Picture: A Team Finding Its Identity
The Sixers still have their flaws - the third-quarter issues are real, and health remains a lingering concern - but there’s a lot to like about where this team is headed. Maxey continues to blossom into a star.
Edgecombe is ahead of schedule. George is anchoring the defense.
And Nurse has this group believing in itself, even when the odds are stacked against them.
They’re not a finished product, but they’re trending in the right direction. And if they can clean up those post-halftime lapses, they might just be one of the most dangerous teams in the East when the playoffs roll around.
For now, they sit just outside the top 10 in most rankings. But if this upward trajectory continues, don’t be surprised if they crash the party at the top sooner rather than later.