Sixers — with at least one reinforcement — host Chicago Bulls ahead of three-game roadtrip

The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who predictably had their means with the injury-riddled Sixers of their final matchup. Now they’re going to have a first-rate alternative to bounce again in opposition to a group tumbling towards the underside of the standings — the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls have had an #OnBrand season, that means they’re hovering across the backside of the Eastern Conference at twelfth. Compared to previous years, although, that is truly decrease than their regular. There’s a purpose for that: the Bulls have seemingly ripped the tanking bandaid off after practically a decade and seem like really embracing an actual rebuild.

For the primary time shortly, the Bulls have one thing of a basis to construct on. After some tense negotiations, they locked up Josh Giddey to a team-friendly contract at $100M over 4 years. Giddey possible would’ve been in All-Star conversations earlier within the 12 months if the Bulls had been extra aggressive, however alas. Still, he is averaged 17.6 factors, 8.3 rebounds and 9.0 assists on 45.5 p.c taking pictures and 37.5 p.c from three. He’s given the Sixers suits previously, and that’ll possible be an space to look at as soon as once more.

Outside of Giddey is Matas Buzelis, a rank ahead and product of the now-defunct G League Ignite. The verdict remains to be out on Buzelis, however there’s a lot of purpose to be enthusiastic about him if you happen to’re a Bulls fan. He’s having a stable sophomore 12 months, averaging 16.1 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks whereas taking pictures 46.6 p.c from the sphere and 35.9 p.c from three. Buzelis dropped a career-high 41 factors not too way back. We’ll see what he does or would not turn out to be, however he and Giddey appear like main items in regardless of the Bulls try to construct.

Look down the remainder of the roster and it will clarify why the Bulls are the place they’re. The backend is essentially the product of what’s left from their unusually busy commerce deadline shenanigans. There’s no scarcity of guards right here, with Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton and Jaden Ivey all being newer additions on expiring offers. Tre Jones, a serviceable NBA guard, can also be nonetheless round alongside with Rob Dillingham, who nonetheless has two years left on his rookie deal after this season.

Beyond that could be a combine of forwards and bigs, with Zach Collins, Patrick Williams, Noa Essengue, and our previous good friend Guerschon Yabusele rounding out the remainder of the roster. A short enjoyable truth: Yabu truly opted out of his participant choice for subsequent season — price roughly $5M — to assist facilitate the commerce from New York to Chicago, which is a reasonably uncommon factor to see play out within the NBA.

The Sixers, however, are on the cusp of turning issues round (I really feel like I’ve stated that means too many occasions this season). Paul George’s 25-game suspension is over, and barring any weirdness, he ought to be good to go shifting ahead. The Sixers have desperately wanted taking pictures, and PG ought to be capable to assist with that fairly a bit.

Along with George, the Sixers might be getting extra help within the type of Joel Embiid, who could return after lacking 13 video games with an indirect pressure. This means VJ Edgecombe ought to be getting some severe offensive help with each of them again within the fold.

There wasn’t a lot to remove from the OKC-Sixers sport, other than Edgecombe — who put up one other 35-point sport in opposition to the most effective protection within the league. If there’s any silver lining to accidents taking the group hostage, it is the elevated utilization for the Sixers’ rookie, who has made essentially the most of his new alternatives. Over the previous three video games, Edgecombe has averaged 31.7 factors, 8.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals on 52 p.c taking pictures and 42.3 p.c from three. He’s appeared nothing like a 20-year-old guard in any respect, and the Sixers need to hold him rolling even with some massive names returning.

The official damage report has no scarcity of names. For the Sixers, Embiid is questionable as talked about, alongside with Quentin Grimes who missed their final sport with an sickness. Two-way participant Tyrese Martin is uncertain with a G League project, whereas Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre stay out. For Chicago, Yabusele, Isaac Okoro and Simons are all uncertain, with Collins, Essengue and Ivey remaining out.

The Sixers are by some means inside hanging vary of a top-6 seed, regardless of the mounds of accidents and losses piling up during the last 20 or so video games. This is a must-win within the sense that they should capitalize on these alternatives now, to ensure they are not caught within the play-in — the place they’d need to win simply to succeed in the postseason. The Bulls, regardless of a win in opposition to the Rockets just a few nights in the past, really aren’t making an attempt to win this sport. Let’s see if the Sixers can bounce again with a victory and improve their possibilities of locking up a top-6 seed.

When: Wednesday, March 25 2026, 7 pm
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers