Just over 24 hours after one of their ugliest losses of the season, the Philadelphia 76ers are back on the hardwood Tuesday night, this time hosting the Milwaukee Bucks - and they’ll be doing it without having to deal with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That’s a break the Sixers will gladly take after what went down Monday afternoon in Charlotte. Philadelphia was run out of the building by the Hornets, falling 130-93 in a game that was, frankly, over before halftime.
At one point, the Sixers trailed by 50. Yes, Joel Embiid and Paul George were sidelined due to left knee injury management, but even with that context, it was a performance that left fans shaking their heads.
The good news? There’s no time to dwell on it.
The Sixers are right back at it in less than 36 hours, giving them a chance to quickly turn the page. This marks their ninth back-to-back of the season, and with seven more still to come, this group is no stranger to the grind.
They’ve held their own in these quick turnarounds, going 5-3 on zero-days rest so far.
They’ll also benefit from a bit more recovery time than usual. Monday’s game in Charlotte was moved up to a 3 p.m.
ET tip to give the Sixers extra travel time in light of the winter storm that swept through the East Coast. That shift could prove valuable as they prepare to face a Bucks team that, while still dangerous, is missing its engine.
Milwaukee will be without Giannis, who’s currently sidelined with a calf strain and has no timetable for return. His absence is massive - the Bucks are just 3-11 without him this season.
That’s what happens when you lose a guy averaging 28 points and 10 boards per game. Simply put, Milwaukee is a different team without him.
They’re also missing Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique strain) and Taurean Prince (neck surgery), so this is not the Bucks’ full-strength squad rolling into South Philly.
As for the Sixers, their injury report is still pending as of Tuesday afternoon. But based on recent patterns, there’s a decent chance both Embiid and George suit up tonight.
Neither has been playing both ends of back-to-backs, and with Monday off, tonight could see the All-Star duo return. That would be a huge boost as the Sixers look to steady the ship after Monday’s collapse.
Interestingly, this is the third time in four meetings this season that the Sixers will face the Bucks on the second night of a back-to-back. Sometimes the NBA schedule just doesn’t do you any favors.
Still, Philly has handled Milwaukee well this year. They’re 2-0 against the Bucks so far.
Their most recent win came on December 5 in Milwaukee - a 116-101 victory with both Embiid and Giannis out. Quentin Grimes was the unexpected hero that night, dropping 22 points off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting, including 6-of-7 from deep.
He also added five assists in what was, honestly, one of his last standout performances. Grimes has struggled since, but that night he was lights out.
Their first meeting came back on November 20, and that one was all about Tyrese Maxey. The guard exploded for a career-high 54 points on 18-of-30 shooting, including six threes, while also contributing nine assists, three steals, and three blocks. No Embiid or Giannis in that one either - but Maxey made sure Philly didn’t miss a beat.
Tonight’s game is more than just another regular-season contest. It’s a chance for the Sixers to build some momentum - something they’ve struggled to sustain.
After an emotional overtime win against the Rockets on January 22, they followed it up with Monday’s disaster. That up-and-down pattern has plagued them all season.
In fact, they haven’t strung together four straight wins since starting the year 4-0.
With a Giannis-less Bucks team in town and matchups against the 12-win Kings and 12-win Pelicans on deck, the Sixers have a real opportunity to get on a roll. But it starts with showing up tonight.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET in South Philly. Let’s see if the Sixers can bounce back and start building something.