The Philadelphia 76ers knew their challenge when they paid a visit to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. The Sixers were already down Kelly Oubre Jr., Danuel House Jr., and Jaden Springer, but roughly half an hour before tipoff, it was ruled that Joel Embiid would be out due to an illness.
The Sixers struggled from the start as they allowed New Orleans to shoot 77.8% from the floor in the first quarter and they were fighting an uphill battle all night long. The Pelicans led by as many as 29 and they made quick work of the short-handed Sixers 124-114. New Orleans star Zion Williamson had 33 points on 11-for-11 shooting, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 33 points, De’Anthony Melton had 17 points, five assists, and four steals Tobias Harris added 12 points, Marcus Morris Sr. added seven points, and Patrick Beverley had 11 points and seven assists. Robert Covington also had 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Here are the player grades following the loss: