March 7, 2026, 10:10 a.m. ET

CAMDEN, N.J. — As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for a quick 2-game road trip starting with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, one has to wonder if this is a must-win game for them. The Sixers have lost all three of the previous matchups with the Hawks on the season and are only 2.5 games up on the Hawks for the No. 6 seed in the East.

The Sixers will be short-handed as they will enter this contest without Joel Embiid and Paul George, but they will have Tyrese Maxey still to lead the way. Others will have to step up such as Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr., Adem Bona, and others to help Maxey get the job done on the floor and help Philadelphia stay in the win column. Every game is hugely important from here on out.

“It’s big, man,” Trendon Watford said. “Didn’t they (the Sixers) just play in the play-in recently? I don’t think they want to do that again. I think they want to rest. I don’t think they want to do the extra games and stuff. So, it’s big for me. We just want to stay where we at or even go up. So, like I said, we got 20 games left, so every game matters and we can control our own destiny.”

With that being said, the Hawks already have the season series secured. The Sixers just want to make sure they are able to string some wins together. That is the most important thing when considering they are only half a game ahead of the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the East. The Sixers do control their own destiny at the moment. All of these games are about as “must-win” as one can get.

“I mean, listen, I think every game is super important to try to again, like, I say, pick off some wins here and there,” coach Nick Nurse stated. “There’s nothing really extra on this one, other than we’re playing each other and a team that’s fairly close to us. They’ve already got the season series, so there’s no leveling that out to add to that.”

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The Hawks have had Philadelphia’s number all season long. Between All-Star Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and others, this is a talented team. Throw in the addition of Jonathan Kuminga who has had some good moments and the Sixers will have to prepare for a lot on Saturday.

“They’ve been a tough team for us to play,” Nurse added. “I think we lost two buzzer beaters early, then they took care of us pretty good. They’re playing great right now. I think it’s five in a row. All their new guys have kind of got kicked in. I mean, Kuminga hasn’t much, but I think he’s back. He’ll be playing tomorrow as well.”

Before the other additions they made, the Hawks were a team focused on a lot of wings. Throw in the additions of CJ McCollum, Gabe Vincent, and others, and they have found a way to make things work in all facets of the game.

“They’re playing super fast and loose and just a lot of guys,” Nurse finished. “A lot of shooting. Just a lot different. They were kind of all the same size, switchable. Was still very tough early in the year. Now there’s a little bit more guard power to go along with those wings.”

Tip off from the State Farm Arena is set for 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.