Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Sixers big man Andre Drummond
Firing up a back-to-back set, the Philadelphia 76ers are hosting the Brooklyn Nets in South Philly on Saturday afternoon.
As expected, both teams are going to be down several key players. For the Nets, it’s not a massive deal, considering they are recognized as one of the league’s rebuilding squads.
For the Sixers, on the other hand, they are in a tough spot. The team recently slipped to ninth in the Eastern Conference. Despite being shorthanded against Brooklyn on March 14, the 76ers hope to avoid dropping two games in a row.
76ers Reveal Starting Lineup vs Brooklyn Nets
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 23: Andre Drummond #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Sixers are going to roll out a starting lineup with VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, Justin Edwards, Dominick Barlow, and Adem Bona.
Lineup alert: Sixers will start Edgecombe, Grimes, Edwards, Barlow, Bona on Saturday.
All eyes were on the veteran center, Andre Drummond, in the hours leading up to the 1 PM ET tip.
Ahead of the Sixers’ recent loss against the Detroit Pistons, Drummond was downgraded on the morning of the matchup as he experienced back spasms. Eventually, he was ruled out.
Drummond was the Sixers’ final hope of having a healthy center in the lineup on the road in Michigan. On Saturday, there’s no chance he’s playing. Hours before the Sixers, the Sixers downgraded Drummond from questionable to out.
This time around, all eyes were on Adem Bona. The second-year center out of UCLA has been dealing with back soreness. He missed the outing in Detroit and was listed as questionable against the Nets as well. Fortunately, the Sixers will have the chance to roll with Bona on Saturday. He’s been cleared to return.
At the head of the snake, the Sixers have another Joel Embiid issue. After the star center suffered an oblique strain against the Miami Heat two weeks ago, he hasn’t been on the court since.
Ahead of Saturday’s action, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse offered an update on Embiid, suggesting he could return during the upcoming road trip. For the time being, he’s out. The big man will miss this weekend’s back-to-back set entirely.
Beyond the center position, the Sixers are without Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre, Jabari Walker, and Paul George.
Where The Sixers Stand
GettyPaul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Joel Embiid #21 during a timeout in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Going 5-5 over their past 10 games, the Sixers are 35-31 on the year. They hold the same record as the Hawks, who are in the midst of an eight-game winning streak. The Charlotte Hornets are behind the Sixers by 1.5 games.
As the injuries and losses pile up for Philadelphia during the back half of the year, it’s becoming clear the Sixers are headed for the Play-In Tournament for the second time in three years.
The sixth seed isn’t totally out of the question, but the Sixers have lost more steam than any other Eastern Conference postseason contender since the All-Star break.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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