Upon the conclusion of the pretty divisive 2025 All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, the Philadelphia 76ers will be back on the hardwood to commence their pursuit of a playoff spot. Still 14 games below .500, time is running out for them to qualify for the postseason, although thanks to some teams similarly putting on mediocre finishes on a nightly basis, they remain just a hair within the final play-in tournament spot.
As currently projected, the 76ers will have one of the “easiest” schedules remaining. However, taking this into account could be a dangerous proposition, especially in light of the fact that this team has shown time and time again that they are capable of losing to any team, no matter how disadvantaged or unfavored their opponents are.
Aside from any outside moves they can seek, the main remedy for whatever Philly is going through is to just play much better and consistent basketball on both ends for their final 28 games. That way, they can maximize their relatively softer slate and inch closer to climbing to a .500 record and approach the postseason with momentum on their side.
The 76ers badly need Joel Embiid to step up on defense if they want to make the playoffs
Having said that, one department they would have to vastly improve on is defense, with Joel Embiid pitching in as their defensive anchor. Thanks to his slew of injuries and relative lack of on-court reps, the superstar has not been up to speed on that end and his decline has been pretty noticeable.
That cannot be the trend moving forward. The 76ers already have a problem with their lack of size across the board, and they simply cannot afford to let their lone enforcer to be substandard steering the wheel for the team on that end, especially with more than three-fourths of their remaining games coming against opponents in the upper half of the league in offensive rating.
Embiid’s rebounding will also be key. This season, he is tallying just 8.5 boards per outing — his lowest mark since his rookie campaign. His presence has not been nearly enough to abate the fact that the 76ers have been the worst rebounding team in the league all season long, which has contributed to their decline on defense.
If the Philadelphia 76ers wish to follow through on their tough trek to make the playoffs, they will need Joel Embiid to start playing like the reliable defensive anchor he has been for most of his career. Otherwise, their chances of making it into the postseason will be closer to nil than anything.