Jan 2, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts in front of the bench after hitting a three-point shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
The Sixers were not prepared for battle on the second night of a back-to-back and got absolutely stomped by the Golden State Warriors to drop their second game in a row.
Here's what I saw.
- Paul George retained the rhythm he had in Wednesday's loss to the Sacramento Kings. Not only was it encouraging for the face value of he shot the ball well two nights in a row amid what has mostly been a season of struggles finding his stride next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. But, it was also encouraging because it was the second night of a back-to-back and he appeared to have some back discomfort after a hard landing against the Kings. Good sign.
- The game ended before 12:30 a.m., Eastern time. That was the last 10 p.m., Eastern time, tip-off of the season for Philadelphia. We can all return to our normal sleep schedules now.
- Starting Kyle Lowry next to Maxey, or playing Lowry really at all, is just not working out for this group. There's no reason to believe it will turn around. As smart as Lowry is, his body just doesn't have the juice.
Even when he got to the basket early on, Draymond Green was there to spike the shot away. He took a catch-and-shoot three with no separation, maybe because he couldn't create the separation. Lowry had no chance of getting the stop when making a low-man rotation early in the game, giving Green a dunk. And he had a brain freeze on an exchange with Embiid, resulting in a dead-ball turnover. The only question is, will Nick Nurse see what everyone else sees?
- The Sixers barely got off the bus for the first half of this game, making Wednesday night's collapse all the more brutal. Embiid's desire to get up the court was non-existent, although I will say he was Philadelphia's only formidable defender in the halfcourt. The fundamental problem all night long was that the perimeter defense was butter. The Warriors - every Warrior, for that matter - was the hot knife. Embiid's effort was not great, but even he isn't capable of covering up every single leak the Warriors bashed in the Sixers' hull.
- I don't think I've ever been able to say this before, but even Maxey's effort wasn't there. As we've come to learn, he's usually one of the main sources of energy on any given night. But, his head was just not in the game from the start.
Let's start with a possession in the first half in which Maxey had George one pass away on a perimeter swing and either did not see him or ignored him, instead opting to drive into three Warriors for a missed layup. That was one of a handful of missed layups for Maxey in the game. There was an opportunity to retrieve a loose ball in the first half, but Maxey stood nearby, practically disinterested in going for it.
Like I said, that's maybe an unprecedented night for Maxey. But, man, was he ready to get on the plane.
- Guerschon Yabusele only playing 11 minutes in the first half is an atrocity. Simply unacceptable.
- It's really important to not get lost in the narrative of a Stephen Curry heater. He was 8-for-8 from three. That's flirting with history. But, that does not excuse the disastrous display of defense that Philadelphia put forward in this game. The Sixers do not get to say they fell victim to a night of Curry doing Curry things.
The Sixers (13-19) will visit the Brooklyn Nets (13-21) on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., Eastern time. You can catch the action on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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