76ers Looking For Momentum Entering The Postseason

by Marc Narducci | Mar 30, 2026

The 76ers have flown under the radar for most of the season, one that included several key injuries, or in the case of Paul George, a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

In a statement to ESPN, George admitted to taking “Improper medication” for a mental health issue.

He also later admitted that the 25-game suspension helped his body to heal.

If that is the case and George, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are all healthy, which they were on Saturday during one of the most impressive wins of the season, a 118-114 victory in Charlotte, then this could finally be some good news for a Sixers franchise in need of some. That win improved the Sixers’ record to 41-33.

It marked the return to the lineup of Tyrese Maxey, who had been sidelined since suffering a finger injury in the last minute of a 125-116 loss on March 7 in Atlanta. Maxey had 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.

George added 26 points and 13 rebounds and Joe Embbid, who had recently returned from an oblique injury, scored 29 points.

The Hornets have been one of the NBA’s most improved teams and as a bonus, the Sixers had to overcome a 13-point second half deficit.

This is not to suggest that the Sixers are heading toward an NBA title, but after last year’s 24-58 record, this team will not only be playing following the regular season, but has the ability if healthy – and that is a big if – to scare plenty of teams.

The Sixers begin the week with eight games left in the regular season.

With the way things are, they can finish anywhere from fifth to 10^th place.

The top six teams quality for the playoffs, with teams 7-10 competing in the play-in tournament. If the Sixers are in the play-in, they would have to win either one or two games to qualify for the postseason.

If the playoffs were today, the Sixers would face the New York Knicks if they earn the No. 6 seed and the Cleveland Cavilers if they earn the fifth seed.

The Sixers would be underdogs to either team, but again, with a healthy Embiid, George and Maxey, in addition to Kelly Oubre, who has been a big-time scorer, they would take their chances against anybody.

If they earned the No. 7 seed (as of the beginning of this week) they would face Boston and if the No. 8 seed, the opponent would be Detroit. Again, the Sixers would be underdogs to both teams, but the status of Detroit star Cade Cunningham is unknown for the postseason as he recovers from a collapsed lung.

The Sixers would love to finish in the top six and avoid the play-in because anything can happen in a one-game matchup. Teams that finish ninth or 10, would need two wins to enter the playoff field, while those who finish seventh or eighth, would only need one win.

Here are the Sixers’ remaining regular season games.

Monday March 30 at Miami

Wed. April 1 at Washington

Friday April 3 vs Minnesota

Saturday April 4 vs. Detroit

Monday April 6 at San Antonio

Thursday April 9 at Houston

Friday April 10 at Indiana

Sunday April 12 vs. Milwaukee

Three of the final opponents are either in tank mode or are simply terrible – Washington, Indiana and Milwaukee. The rest are quality teams who will likely still be fighting for playoff seeding,

If the Sixers can keep Embiid, Maxey, George and Oubre healthy and if rookie VJ Edgecombe continues his swift development, this can be an interesting postseason team. No doubt they won’t be favored against any team in the first round, but Sixers fans, after last year’s disaster at least have hope, and that is nothing that most felt was possible even a few short weeks ago.

Photo courtesy of Sixers X/Twitter

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Author: Marc Narducci

76ers Looking For Momentum Entering The Postseason

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