76ers fans have hilarious reactions to wild starting lineup against Thunder
Finding a way to win dominant Oklahoma City Thunder is hard work even when at full strength, but Philadelphia 76ers entered Tuesday night’s showdown frighteningly thin. Fans prepared to shellack the Wells Fargo Center after seeing the team’s injury report and five starters.
With Joel Embiid, Tyrese McKay and Paul George All ruled out for the game, head coach Nick Nurse introduces a lineup consisting of Reggie Jackson, Eric Gordon, Gershon Jabussel, Ricky Council IV and Kelly Oubre Jr. As one can imagine, the public had strong reactions.
“Can they just simulate this game,” @igs_podcast is live on Ks. “Is this a joke?” @AidanLaPorta69 asked rhetorically. “Someone should be arrested for this” @tommiob95 was joking. “We’re back in the process, aren’t we,” @jimmi_harriti postedreferring to the darkest stretch in 76ers history.
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If Philly had lived up to expectations this season, the makeshift starting five wouldn’t have seemed like the end of the world. The problem, however, is that fans have rarely seen the main trio share the court together. Injuries are destroying the team’s playoff chances, as the Sixers currently sit in 11th place in the East with a 15-22 record.
Joel Embiid continues to nurse a foot injury, while Tyrese Maxey and Paul George have a tendency hand and ankle injuries, respectively. Some of the supporting cast members have given Nurse key minutes, to be fair, with Jabusele in particular making an impact (39.3 percent shooting from 3-point range). But the team obviously cannot survive without its stars.
As expected, the Thunder enjoyed the painfully undermanned 76ers and led 58-43 at halftime. Philadelphia, however, temporarily cut the 21-point deficit in half, so the starting five deserves credit for their efforts. But determination can only take a team so far. Health and happiness are qualities this franchise must acquire for the final 45 games of the season.
2025-01-15 01:05:00
