Sixers aim to break four-game losing streak in matchup vs. Pacers

While Joel Embiid remains on the sidelines, the Sixers’ schedule isn’t letting up as their weekend back-to-back on the road begins against a hot Pacers team.

The shorthanded Sixers put up a good fight in their overtime contest against the Knicks, but ultimately still fell short for their fourth straight loss.

This gruelling stretch of their schedule is hitting them just as you’d expect and it continues this weekend with a road back-to-back, starting against the Pacers on Saturday night. And the Sixers have to continue fighting through a host of injuries as well, including Joel Embiid.

Embiid had been oddly listed as day-to-day for over 10 days, until we received an update on Friday that he’s more injured than expected. As he was trying to work his way back from his left foot sprain, he experienced swelling in his surgically repaired left knee. He’s now sidelined again and will be re-evaluated in one week, and joins Kyle Lowry (right hip sprain), Caleb Martin (right hip sprain), KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction) and Jared McCain (left knee meniscus surgery) as out.

Another couple of notable additions to the Sixers’ injury report are Paul George (groin tightness) and Guerschon Yabusele (knee swelling) listed as questionable. Meanwhile, Andre Drummond has been upgraded to probable, which could give the Sixers some welcome size against the frontcourt of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner.

For the Pacers, Isaiah Jackson (right achilles tendon tear) and James Wiseman (left achilles tendon tear) are out. Aaron Nesmith has just returned from injury, giving Indiana another sharpshooter who’s been a solid piece for them since being traded from Boston in 2022.

As is the case for what feels like most teams in the NBA right now, things have been going better for the Pacers than the Sixers. Since mid-December, Indiana has played a two-game series against each of the Celtics and Cavaliers, picking up a win against each, while winning 13 of their last 17 games overall.

This strong spell has turned the Pacers’ season around, taking them over .500 to a solid 23-19 record and 5th place in the East. They’ve even ranked in the top eight in both offensive and defensive rating in this stretch.

The Pacers’ depth and offensive balance has been on display lately, as it has been for much of the season. They have four players averaging at least 15 points per game this season and seven averaging at least 10, led by Siakam’s 20.1 per game on the second-best true shooting percentage (60.9) of his career. If George and Yabusele are out, handling Siakam’s size, speed, and finishing as a ball-handler is going to be a tricky task for the Sixers’ smaller lineups.

Even though Tyrese Haliburton’s production and efficiency has dropped a little this season, he’s got going since a slow start as he dealt with injury. He’s still one of the league’s better playmakers and a dangerous pick-and-roll creator for the Sixers to handle, and he’s got plenty of help. Whether it’s Myles Turner’s rim protection or continually improving perimeter play (he’s at a career-high 40.4 percent from three on 5.1 attempts per game), Siakam, or solid role players like Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and Bennedict Mathurin who’s having a career year.

There have been some small positives to take from the Sixers’ recent games, though. George has started to warm up a bit offensively, scoring at least 25 points in each of his last three games. Yabusele (the only Sixer to play in every game so far this season) continues to be a dependable, standout performer. He’s always battling and making an impact at both ends of the floor, whether it’s his pick-and-pop game or hard work on the boards.

Jeff Dowtin Jr. has made the most of his extra minutes over the last two games, looking in control offensively and finishing well inside with his 18-point night against OKC.

Then there’s Justin Edwards in particular, who’s proved to be a bright spark recently and dropped a team-high 25 points against the Thunder. While there’s obviously things for him to work on, he’s quickly played himself into the depleted rotation. There’s a lot of budding skills to like with Edwards, such as his physical tools on defense, comfort as a catch-and-shoot threat, and flashes handling the ball to beat closeouts or finish in traffic.

However, until the Sixers prove they have enough health and form otherwise, you can’t favor them heading into this matchup. The Pacers are really hitting their stride at both ends of the floor right now.

Philly’s schedule only gets harder after Saturday, too. From then, this weekend’s back-to-back finishes on the road against the Bucks, followed by games against the Nuggets and Cavaliers — with Embiid out for at least the first two of these games.

Maybe Tank Season, to pursue the small chance they have to keep this year’s first-round pick, is looming after all… Our Erin Grugan looked at the odds of that happening.

Game details

When: Saturday, January 18, 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Follow: @LibertyBallers