March 9, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse argues with referee Curtis Blair (74) over a call during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images With their roster up and down due to injury issues, the team visiting the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets will need role players to play Saturday afternoon.
The Sixers have lost five of their last seven games, playing their last three contests without All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey (finger). Joel Embiid (oblique) is not ready to return, nor are Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow) and Paul George (suspension) for extended absences.
Philadelphia also was missing Embiid’s two key backups, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona, for Thursday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. With a small and inexperienced roster, the Sixers struggled to contain the best teams in the Eastern Conference in a 131-109 loss.
“We couldn’t protect the rim, and that set off all kinds of chain reactions,” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said. “So hopefully we can get one or two of our big players back (Saturday).”
Another issue for the Sixers was 3-point shooting. They made just 8 of 35 from beyond the arc, while Detroit made 14 of the same number of attempts.
“There shouldn’t be that difference in shooting percentage from three,” Nurse said, adding, “They kept hitting it and we kept missing it.”
MarJon Beauchamp led Philadelphia with 17 points off the bench, while fellow reserve Jabari Walker chipped in with 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting. The team’s starting guards, VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes, combined for 24 points on 8-of-28 shooting, including 1-of-13 from long range.
“Now our starting guards, VJ and Q, have to get this guy out of the way and get ready to be themselves on Saturday,” Nurse said. “And they have to be great.”
The Nets could use a boost from their own starting guard.
The team currently features starters Ben Saraf and Drake Powell in the backcourt.
Saraf scored 10 points in Thursday’s 108-97 loss to the Atlanta Hawks but committed five of the team’s 20 turnovers.
Powell had 11 points despite shooting just 4 of 13 from the floor and missing 5 of 6 attempts from 3-point range.
Nevertheless, coach Jordi Fernandez was satisfied with the performance of his team, which took the court without Michael Porter Jr. (ankle), Egor Demin (foot) and Dayron Sharp (thumb).
“I’m very proud of the whole group, the way they competed and how connected they were throughout,” Fernandez said. “Even though I put them in different positions, I thought everyone played the right way.”
Josh Minot scored a career-high 24 points for Brooklyn, which has lost 12 of its last 14 games.
“He was really great,” Fernandez said of Minot, who scored with three steals, three blocks and three rebounds. “He was aggressive. … (I’m hoping for) a little more rebounding, because that’s where we struggle and he provides size. Rebounding is important, not only for him, but for everyone.”
This is the fourth and final meeting between the Nets and Sixers. Philadelphia won the first two contests before Brooklyn pulled out a 114-106 road win in their last meeting on December 23.
–Field level media
