The 2024-25 Sixers reached the midway level with a winless weekend.
The staff misplaced its sixth straight sport Sunday evening in Milwaukee, dropping 123-109 to the Bucks.
In 41 video games, the Sixers are 15-26.
Tyrese Maxey had 37 factors, seven assists and 6 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 factors, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the Bucks, who improved to 24-17. Damian Lillard scored 25 factors.
Once more, the bullet factors are acceptable for perception into the Sixers’ marginalized gamers:
- Joel Embiid (left knee harm administration)
- Paul George (left groin tightness)
- Andre Drummond (recovering from left toe harm)
- Guerschon Yabusele (swelling of the suitable knee)
- Kyle Lowry (proper hip sprain)
- Caleb Martin (proper hip sprain)
- KJ Martin (left foot stress response)
- Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgical procedure)
The Sixers will end their three-game street journey Tuesday evening towards the Nuggets. Listed here are some observations from their loss to Milwaukee:
Bona faces Antetokounmpo in his first NBA begin
In Sport 41, the Sixers used their twenty sixth beginning lineup. Adem Bona acquired his first NBA begin after a sensible efficiency the day earlier than towards the Pacers. He opened the sport with Maxey, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ricky Council IV.
Requested 10 days in the past in regards to the notable moments of his rookie yr involving opposing stars, Bona named Antetokounmpo.
“There have been a couple of guys I actually appeared as much as coming into the league,” he stated. “Taking part in towards Giannis. I did not have the possibility to do something towards him. He was changed instantly, however I shared the pitch with him, so I can say that.
Bona had far more on Sunday than a quick second on the ground with Antetokounmpo. He saved it on the primary possession of the sport and contested a mid-range miss. The Sixers shortly switched to zone protection, however Bona was Antetokounmpo’s major defender all through the evening.
Offensively, Bona wasn’t afraid to assault within the first quarter. He turned to Bobby Portis and shouted, “And-one!” after a very good rotational motion and leap the contact hook. The 21-year-old additionally confirmed main rebounding within the second quarter when he faked a dribble and flew between Antetokounmpo and Lopez for a slam.
On a minor notice, Bona shot 2-for-6 from the foul line. He had been stable there – 17 out of 23 – earlier than Sunday. On the sector, Bona was good this weekend at 9 for 9.
A lot on Maxey’s shoulders
The Bucks’ benefits in measurement, star energy and well being had been all evident by the tip of the primary quarter.
An Antetokounmpo layup with 2.1 seconds left within the first gave him 12 factors and put Milwaukee up 30-21. As a staff, the Bucks scored 24 factors within the first quarter within the paint.
The Sixers then pushed again in the beginning of the second half. Maxey hit two three-pointers and the Sixers began the quarter on a 10-0 run. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers known as a timeout as his staff confronted a 36-32 deficit after a wide-open jumper by Gordon.
Though the Sixers tried to differ their offense and had some success with double drag and stack choose and roll actions, many possessions inevitably trusted Maxey late within the shot clock. Whereas gamers like Oubre (19 factors) and Council (13 factors) contributed, it was apparent who the Sixers wanted to show to to create photographs.
Maxey performed 41 minutes and scored 28 baskets, a really heavy workload on the second evening of a row. All issues thought of, Maxey’s effectivity and persistence had been spectacular.
Virtually no depth
Bona picked up his fourth foul with 7:20 left within the third quarter. About two minutes later, Pete Nance entered.
The Sixers’ depth has been minimal in current days. The staff’s three gamers on two-way contracts had been the three males to test in on the bench Sunday evening. Nance logged 24 minutes and had eight factors on 3-for-9 taking pictures and 6 rebounds.
The Sixers continued to play onerous and keep within the sport. Council made two consecutive triples within the third quarter and an Oubre triple to chop Milwaukee’s result in 79-76.
Whereas Lillard was comparatively quiet for a lot of the sport, his leap photographs began to drop within the fourth quarter. And whereas the Bucks’ protection wasn’t nice Sunday, they’d a low-turnover evening — simply seven giveaways — towards an opponent that usually causes a excessive variety of errors.
Even when the Sixers handle so as to add a participant or two in Denver, the fact is that each sport has appeared extraordinarily intimidating when they’re shorthanded. The Nuggets improved to 26-16 on Sunday by beating the Magic. After Denver, the Sixers will face the Cavs, leaders of the Japanese Convention.
