The Philadelphia 76ers are back on the road Monday afternoon, heading to Charlotte for a matinee matchup against the Hornets. After a rough 2-4 stretch during their six-game homestand, the Sixers are looking to reset and get back in the win column - but they’ll be doing it without two of their biggest names.
Joel Embiid and Paul George will both sit out this one, resting on the front end of a back-to-back. That’s a significant amount of star power on the bench, and it means the Sixers will need to lean on their depth - and lean hard.
Stepping into the starting lineup are Dominick Barlow and veteran big man Andre Drummond. They'll join Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., and rookie VJ Edgecombe, who continues to earn minutes in a rotation that’s been tested by injuries and schedule congestion.
For Barlow and Edgecombe, it's another opportunity to show they belong in meaningful minutes. For Drummond, it's a familiar role - anchoring the paint and bringing toughness on the glass.
Even with Embiid and George out, there’s reason for optimism. The Sixers have had the Hornets’ number for a while now.
In fact, Philly hasn’t dropped a game to Charlotte since November 23, 2022 - an 11-game winning streak that spans more than three seasons. That kind of dominance doesn’t happen by accident, and the Sixers will look to keep the streak alive, even with a reshuffled lineup.
Tip-off was originally slated for 7 p.m. EST, but due to a winter storm, the game has been moved up to 3 p.m.
EST at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. It’s a rare midday game, but one that could give the Sixers a chance to recalibrate and build momentum heading into the second half of the season.
With Maxey leading the charge and a mix of youth and experience filling out the starting five, this one will be a test of resilience - and a chance for the Sixers’ supporting cast to step into the spotlight.