Sixers Season on the Brink: The Shocking Numbers You Need to See

Sunday stats are always a good time for reflection, and the Philadelphia 76ers certainly have a lot to reflect on after the first month of the 2024-25 season. With the calendar flipping to December, the Sixers find themselves at a critical juncture in their campaign. After a summer of high expectations and lofty projections, the team has stumbled out of the gate, struggling to find consistency and traction in the competitive Eastern Conference.

Here are the statistics that define the Sixers’ major struggles and few glimmers of hope after one month of action. Joey Hauser and the starting five have been a major bright spot, but even their best efforts haven’t been enough to mask the team’s depth issues. Despite solid showings from Tyrese Maxey and Jalen McDaniels off the bench, Philly’s reserves have struggled mightily to keep pace with opponents.

One area of concern is three-point shooting, where the Sixers have fallen short of expectations. After a promising preseason, the team has been inconsistent from beyond the arc, and have paid the price as a result. Their struggles have exposed a lack of spacing, and forced Joel Embiid into the unenviable position of leading the charge on offense alone.

Another area of concern is the Sixers’ defense. Their rating of 115.8 is 27th in the league. Joel Embiid has limited contributions as a rim protector. Tobias Harris is not being aggressive in his attempts to block shots and there is no lockdown wing to contain opponents offensively or on the glass.

There is reason for optimism, however, and the Sixers can point to several encouraging signs that have emerged over the first month of the season. For one, the starting five has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the pick-and-roll. What’s more, the team has shown resilience in the face of adversity, fighting back to win several close games that could easily have gone the other way.

There is work to be done for Doc Rivers, but his team has so far shown an ability to adapt, adjust and fight through tough times. That’s exactly what the Sixers will need to do if they hope to turn their season around and compete in the cutthroat Eastern Conference.