Quick update from Temple University and their search for a new basketball coach. According to reports, it looks like we can officially take Sam Cassell off the list of candidates.

Temple moved on from Aaron McKie after four seasons and a 52-56 record as the Owls head coach. It was widely reported that Owls expressed interest in bringing in Cassell, who has been an assistant coach in the NBA for 14 years and counting. To note, eight of those seasons have been with current Sixers’ head coach Doc Rivers as a member of the Clippers and Sixers coaching staffs. 

Despite Temple University showing interest in Cassell, Keith Pompey over at the Inky reported that Caseell is not leaving the Sixers at this time. 

Pompey reported Sam Cassell is not leaving the Sixers any time soon

Temple has inquired about the 76ers assistant coach for its head-coaching job, a source has confirmed. The source added that Cassell is not leaving the Sixers at this time.

This is good for the Sixers. If Doc Rivers has yet another subpar performance when the playoffs come around this year, then in my opinion, the Sixers should strongly consider parting ways and promoting Cassell to be the next head coach. 

The Sixers destroyed the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, winning 116-91 to improve to 49-23 on the season. They are just a half game behind the second place Celtics and three games back of the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks. 

Sixers Injury Report vs Warriors Tonight

As for tonight, the Sixers are dealing with a few key injuries and currently have Embiid, Harden, and McDaniels all listed as questionable.

On Wednesday night, the Sixers handled business without Harden (left achilles soreness) and McDaniels (right hip) and even lost Joel Embiid at halftime, which was originally due to “point differential” but then switched over to “right calf tightness” all while the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast didn’t even acknowledge the fact that Embiid never returned to the bench after the half until there was 2:30 left in the third quarter. 

The entire situation was a mess and honestly, tone deaf for a team that has spent the last few years dealing with bizarre injuries at the end of the season, hindering their performance in the playoffs. 

Regardless, that’s neither here nor there. Harden, McDaniels, and Embiid might be a little banged up, but it doesn’t appear that there is serious concern so let’s keep it that way. 

The Warriors will enter tonight 38-36 on the season and in sixth place in the Western Conference Standings, which are currently a jumbled mess with roughly 10-12 games left in the regular season. 

While the Warriors record might not show it, they are very reminiscent of the Sixers team a few years back that couldn’t win on the road to save their life. Golden State is dominant at home, with a 29-7 record while just 9-29 on the road. 

The Sixers are winners of nine out of 10 games but of course, without Embiid and Harden, things could get messy tonight. Maxey scored 16 of 21 points in the first half Wednesday night, while De’Anthony Melton led the way with 25 points for the Sixers in the win. 

Can they handle a tough road game on the first night of a back-to-back on the road?

Who knows, but if you’re looking to bet on something, I would keep an eye on the injury report and Melton, Harris, Maxey point totals, along with Paul Reed rebounds if Embiid and Harden aren’t playing. 

From there, the Sixers will make a stop in Phoenix tomorrow night to face the Suns before heading to Denver on Monday night to face the Nuggets. 

Tipoff from the Chase Center on Friday is set for 10PM.

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