Less than four weeks into the season, the Philadelphia 76ers are already in search of answers.
The Sixers are desperate for a victory on Sunday when they host the Charlotte Hornets, who are eyeing their third straight win.
Philadelphia (1-7) was expected to be a championship contender behind the dynamic trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. However, a series of injuries has disrupted their season.
Embiid has yet to play this season due to a knee injury and was recently given a three-game suspension for shoving a columnist. The former NBA MVP is expected to make his season debut on Tuesday when the New York Knicks visit.
George (knee) missed the first five games and is shooting just 41.7 percent overall (3 of 16 from 3-point range) since returning. Maxey injured his hamstring in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and is expected to miss multiple weeks.
At this point, the Sixers are trying to stay afloat until they can get healthy.
In their most recent game, the Sixers suffered a 116-106 loss to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Rookie Jared McCain came off the bench to lead Philadelphia in scoring with 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting. George and Kelly Oubre Jr. combined for 8 of 29 shooting (0 of 10 from deep) and finished with nine points each.
Defensive struggles have been a significant issue for Philadelphia, as they have allowed at least 105 points in all eight of their games. This trend could spell trouble against the Hornets’ impressive duo of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
Ball is averaging 28.4 points per game and is coming off a 31-point performance in Charlotte’s 103-83 win over the Indiana Pacers. He had 17 points in the fourth quarter, matching Indiana’s team total, and leads the NBA in fourth-quarter points this season.
Miller, who hit a game-winning putback at the buzzer against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, then scored 29 points on 7-of-11 shooting from long range against Indiana.
The Sixers have dominated the Hornets in recent history, winning 23 of the last 25 meetings, including all four matchups last season.
