Embiid battled through injuries, Maxey and PG turned into ghosts, Sixers lost 4th straight game 106-103 to the Toronto Raptors

This Sixers season continues to be a brutal, soul-sucking grind, and Tuesday night’s 106-103 loss to the Raptors was another reminder that this team just can’t get out of its own way.

Let’s start at the end. Down three with under 15 seconds left, Joel Embiid had a wide-open look on a pick-and-pop from Tyrese Maxey—exactly the kind of shot you want in a big moment. Instead of stepping into it, he hesitated, drove into traffic, and coughed up a game-sealing turnover.

The most important possession of the game ended with Embiid melting down in real time, which pretty much sums up this season.

Tyrese Maxey & Paul George Disappear in Another Ugly Loss

Speaking of things that sum up the season, Maxey finished with just five points. That’s not a typo. The guy who has been carrying this team for most of the year didn’t score in the first half and looked bizarrely passive all game.

Toronto’s defense wasn’t even doing anything special—Maxey just never flipped the switch and seemed to second-guess himself when he actually had an open look.

Paul George wasn’t much better. Another night of floating. You look up, it’s the fourth quarter, and he’s somehow sitting on 12 points with no real impact.

I get that he’s more of a “pick his spots” type of player, but at some point, spots need to be picked. This team desperately needs one of their stars to show up next to Embiid, and neither guy did against Toronto.

At least Jared Butler & Quentin Grimes Were a Breath of Fresh Air…Right? RIGHT?

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the deadline additions already look like they belong. Butler, in particular, was the Sixers’ second-best player Tuesday (which is both a compliment and an indictment of the rest of the team).

He pushed the pace, used hesitation moves to get to the rim, and looked like a legitimate NBA guard—a welcome sight after suffering through Kyle Lowry and Reggie Jackson’s empty cardio.

Grimes started the second half and had some nice moments, including a blow-by dunk that showed exactly why the Sixers need more athleticism on the perimeter.

He also took some questionable shots and tried to do too much, but you can live with that from a young player still finding his role. At least he’s bringing energy and defensive effort, which is more than I can say for half the team most nights.

Nick Nurse’s Offense Needs More Structure

This offense is way too reliant on guys just figuring it out.

The Sixers aren’t running enough designed plays to get their shooters clean looks. Sure, they’ll run a flare screen or a dribble handoff here and there, but where’s the actual movement?

Maxey and George aren’t being put in positions to succeed, and that’s on Nick Nurse. If the plan is “let Embiid get doubled and hope someone bails us out,” it’s no wonder the offense craters in big moments.

Joel Embiid Plays Through Pain (Again), But At What Cost?

It’s hard to watch Joel Embiid’s body take a beating night after night and not feel concerned about the future. In the fourth quarter, he landed hard on his left arm in a scramble for the ball, was clearly in pain, and then refused to use that arm for the jump ball seconds later.

Obviously, Embiid kept playing. Say what you will about Embiid’s durability, but the guy plays through a lot. The problem is that the Sixers are one awkward fall away from their season being completely torpedoed.

Where Do The Sixers Go From Here?

Listen man, I honestly have no idea. This team seems completely drained and it’s been tough to watch during their latest four-game winning streak. Tonight, we are talking about the Toronto Raptors. Before that it was the Bucks without Giannis and the lowly Detroit Pistons.

I don’t have much left to give, ya know? If you’re losing multiple games to a horrible Toronto Raptors team then maybe we just all pack it up and focus on Phillies Spring Training now that the Eagles won the Super Bowl?

I have no idea. This Sixers season has been a constant loop of frustration, injuries, and missed opportunities, and with the standings tightening, there’s no easy fix.

This was supposed to be a bounce-back game after the trade deadline. Instead, it was just the latest disaster in a Sixers season that’s been riddled with nothing but disappointment.

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