By: Kylan Watson
After beating the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Atlanta Hawks in their next to last home game of the season. Both teams traded blows throughout this game, but Atlanta used a second-half explosion to crush Philly 124-110. With this loss the Sixers have assured themselves a top five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Sixers once again found their offensive rhythm early in this game, they were able to create and cash in on multiple high-percentage shooting opportunities throughout this contest. Before Atlanta could even settle into this game the Sixers had a sizable lead over them. Jared Butler (25 points) and Marcus Bagley (20 points) combined for 45 of the Sixers 110 points.
Both players have taken full advantage of their increased roles in the last few weeks of the season. Butler has flourished has the Sixers back-up point guard and could be a key role player for Philly if he continues to develop his game and becomes a more consistent three-point shooter. He made 4/9 of his three-pointers in this game and if he can become a three-point sniper then his stock will really rise as a player in the NBA.
Bagley had his best game in a Sixers uniform after being re-signed to another 10-day contract, and his coaches have encouraged him to continue to shoot and his shots would start falling. This was that game for him, he made 4/8 of his three-point attempts tonight and that is a new career high for him. He may not be in a Sixers uniform next season, but he has shown enough to at least get a two-way contract to develop with the Blue Coats in Wilmington, DE.
Despite the offensive explosion from Butler and Bagley the Hawks were able to overcome the Sixers thanks to a third quarter explosion from Trae Young. Philly was able to limit him in the first half, and he finally found his offensive rhythm in that third quarter. He scored 36 points in this contest, and he saved multiple possessions for Atlanta that would have ended in a bad shot. Philly did not have enough players available to stop him in this contest and once again he took full advantage of this by attacking the basket and knocking down tough three-pointers. When he was not hitting his shots, Caris Levert kept Atlanta afloat until Young got going. He scored 31 points and this contest and made his first four three-pointers in this contest. That was enough to keep Philly at bay in this game.
The Sixers will now prepare for their final game of the season against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon. Philly will need to limit their turnovers, cash in on the high-percentage shooting opportunities created off their ball movement, and make sure Chicago’s shooters are taking well contested shots throughout the game. Implementing these things into their game plan on Sunday afternoon should help them be in great shape to win their 25th game of the season and bring this tumultuous season to a merciful end.
