No Identity: Sixers fall 109-99 to the Phoenix Suns in South Philly

The Sixers fell 109-99 to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, undone by sloppy transition defense and an underwhelming performance from Paul George.

Despite a fourth-quarter surge from Tyrese Maxey, the team couldn’t claw back into the game, leaving fans scratching their heads over yet another disjointed outing without Joel Embiid, who was out with an apparent foot injury after suiting up against the struggling Nets just two days prior.

Sixers make quick work of the shorthanded Brooklyn Nets, 123-94: Embiid dominates, Maxey struggles, Justin Edwards impresses

The Sixers have an identity problem on offense. Even without Joel Embiid, there are ways to play competitive basketball, but once again, they failed to find answers, leaving fans wondering when—if ever—this team will figure it out.

The Sixers now sit at 14-20, just five games out of the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Thanks to the mediocrity of the East, they’re still in the fight, but performances like this don’t inspire much confidence.

Guerschon Yabusele continues to be one of the lone bright spots

14 PTS, 10 REB

One bright spot in the loss was Guerschon Yabusele, who continues to be a surprisingly effective fill-in starter. Phoenix seemingly forgot to update their scouting report on him, leaving him wide open on the perimeter far too often. Yabusele took advantage, showing why his 38.5% three-point shooting isn’t something teams should ignore.

three, merci! pic.twitter.com/IhrjAGPS6k

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 7, 2025

Yabusele’s impact isn’t limited to his shooting. He forces opposing bigs to defend in space, opening up driving lanes and creating opportunities for players like Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. While he’s not Embiid, his ability to stretch the floor and contribute offensively has been crucial in keeping the team afloat in these tough games.

a beary good finish. 🧸 pic.twitter.com/zEbV6iqft3

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 7, 2025

Paul George’s Struggles Are Becoming a Problem

13 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST

It’s hard to ignore how much Paul George has struggled this season. While his defense has been solid, his offensive contributions have been a letdown. Monday night was another example of George defaulting to slow, isolation-heavy possessions that ended in contested midrange jumpers or turnovers.

George has always had the shot-making talent to make those plays work, but this year, it’s not happening consistently. And the Sixers’ coaching staff isn’t doing him any favors. Instead of running George off screens or setting him up for catch-and-shoot opportunities, they’re leaning into a playstyle that isn’t working.

Compounding the issue is George’s inability to put pressure on defenses by getting downhill. It’s becoming painfully obvious, especially when you see someone like Kelly Oubre (26 PTS, 11 REB) attacking the rim with authority, drawing fouls, and finishing through contact.

George’s slower, more methodical style has been played to a standstill, and teams are capitalizing on his lack of explosiveness.

Mr. Inconsistent: Tyrese Maxey

31 PTS, 10 AST

Tyrese Maxey’s performance against Phoenix was a microcosm of his season: uneven and frustrating but punctuated by flashes of brilliance. He started off slow, struggled through much of the third quarter, and then erupted in the fourth with a solo scoring run that gave the Sixers a sliver of hope.

Maxey’s fourth-quarter burst was a reminder of what he’s capable of—tough finishes, catch-and-shoot threes, and dynamic assists. But without Embiid, Maxey doesn’t have the luxury of waiting until late in the game to make an impact. He needs to bring that energy from the opening tip if the Sixers hope to win games like these.

A Broken Offensive Identity

Far too often, watching the Sixers feels like a lesson in “what not to do” on offense. There’s no clear identity, no consistent approach, and far too many wasted possessions.

Case in point: out of a timeout in the second half on Monday, the best shot the Sixers could manage was a spinning, fadeaway two from Paul George. It’s not just that the shot missed—it’s that it never should have been the end result of a designed play. This lack of creativity and execution is emblematic of the team’s offensive struggles.

Transition defense wasn’t much better, as Phoenix repeatedly scored off of made baskets. Attention to detail, especially after scoring, has been an ongoing issue for the Sixers, and it’s costing them valuable possessions and momentum.

Sixers Standings and What Comes Next

Despite their 14-20 record, the Sixers are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in a weak Eastern Conference. They’re only five games out of the fifth seed, which speaks more to the quality of the conference than the quality of their play.

The opportunity to climb the standings is there, but games like this highlight how far the Sixers are from capitalizing on it. The talent is present, but the execution isn’t, and the coaching staff needs to figure out how to better position this team for success—Embiid or no Embiid.

For now, the Sixers need to stop squandering opportunities. The East is bad, but that won’t matter if they can’t get out of their own way. There’s still time to right the ship, but the clock is ticking, and performances like this don’t inspire much confidence that they will.

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