Due to Joel Embiid's oblique injury, Paul George's suspension, and Tyrese Maxey's finger injury, the Philadelphia 76ers have played each of their last six games without three of their most important players (not to mention VJ Edgecombe also missing one of these games due to a back injury).
And while some people expected the 76ers' collapse to get even worse (Hi, I'm some people), it's been way better than anybody thought. If their recent play is any indication, Philadelphia is proving that it can't be counted out just yet, which is huge considering that the playoffs are roughly a month away.
Across their last six games, the 76ers are 3-3. And the losses they had were to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, and Denver Nuggets, who are all going to be playoff-bound.
It hasn't been pretty. During this stretch, their 25.1 3FG% ranks last in the league, their 22.7 APG is tied for last with the Brooklyn Nets, their 108.4 ORTG ranks 29th, and their 109.7 PPG ranks 27th, all according to NBA.com. However, the 76ers are staying afloat, and they may be ready to make some noise when the time comes.
The 76ers are a team to monitor ahead of the playoffs
With less than a month left in the regular season, Philadelphia is 37-32 and owns the No. 9 seed in the East. Additionally, it is sandwiched between the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets, who are two of the hottest teams in the NBA.
As it stands, the 76ers are most likely headed for a Play-In spot, but a streak in either direction could drastically change things. They are just five games behind the No. 4 seed Cavaliers and 8.5 games ahead of the No. 11 seed Milwaukee Bucks, meaning that every game from here on out is incredibly important.
Are the 76ers legitimate contenders in the East? Probably not this year. A lot of it will come down to health, but it is also just very difficult to picture them eliminating a team like the Pistons, Boston Celtics, or New York Knicks in the playoffs at this point.
Regardless, they still have a talented team that seems to be incredibly resilient. They clearly don't back down from a challenge, and when the lights are at their brightest in the playoffs, that mentality is crucial to have.
Fans should have some hope that the team can put the rest of the conference on notice in the postseason, if it hasn't already. And because of that, it wouldn't be wise to count Philadelphia out just yet.