After Philadelphia’s disappointing loss to the Cavaliers, the team headed back to their welcoming home against the New York Knicks. Just like they have done all season long, the team appears to not be able to do any wrong in front of the home crowd. Without Ben Simmons, who missed the game with a back injury, and Joel Embiid, who suffered a sprained shoulder in the previous game, the short-staffed Sixers were able to take care of the 17-42 Knicks, 115-106. Tobias Harris led the way with 34 points in a bounce-back win for the Philadelphia Sixers. On top of the win, the Sixers also received word that Embiid had not done any structural damage and would be re-evaluated in a week for signs of healing. The best news they could have gotten given the circumstances, the team prepared for a long week without at least one, and maybe both, of their superstars.

To start off the month of March, the Sixers traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers, who they had defeated a few short weeks back. However, the Philadelphia lineup looked very different from the previous game, and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were too much for the Sixers to handle. Shake Milton led the way with 39 points, but the team fell short during the 136-130 loss. Given the circumstances, the Sixers did not look too bad. Losing by 6 points to a team on the road led by 2 of the league’s best players without Simmons and Embiid was not a bad game for the Sixers. However, they would have to play even better if they were to beat Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers later in the week.

The Sixers spent an extended stay in Los Angeles and had the opportunity to make a statement in the league with major road wins without Simmons and Embiid (who both were still out). Even after losing to the Clippers, Philadelphia had hope that the next game would be different. Unfortunately, it was very similar. The team fought hard and played well, especially given the circumstances, but the Lakers held off the injury-depleted Sixers 120-107, led by Anthony Davis and his 37 points. Thanks in part to a phenomenal second quarter by Davis, the Lakers were able to take home the win and push the Sixers out of Los Angeles with a second loss.

After a rough two home games, the Sixers would have loved to returned to their safe haven of the Wells Fargo Center. unfortunately, their road trip continued. Seeking their first home win in more than a month, the Sixers, still without Simmons and Embiid, hoped to squeeze out a win against the Sacramento Kings, who have been around .500 (equal number of wins and losses) at home this season. Somewhat shockingly, the Sixers were able to do just that. Tobias Harris notched 28 points and 14 rebounds en route to a 125-108 Philadelphia victory that ended more than 4 weeks of no road victories for the team. A small victory for the team for more than one reason, the Sixers hoped to use that win as the spark that they needed to find themselves on the road and make the push to be a serious playoff contender. Tune back in and read my next blog to continue to follow the Sixers as the team tries to finish the season strong amongst injuries and other uncertainties!