The Sixers after the meeting now turn to the Grizzlies in the room in Memphis

The Philadelphia 76ers have flipped the map and gone back to zero days without being unnecessarily dramatic. On Monday, after blowing a 19-point lead to a Miami Heat team missing a few key rotation pieces and playing the second night of a back-to-back, the Sixers held a team meeting in the locker room where the details were. leaked and reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Tyrese Maxey challenging Joel Embiid on his perpetual lateness was the headliner, and there was also some disconnect between the coaching staff and players. With Philadelphia now 2-11 on the season, Play-In Tournament speculation has begun and deliberations about the team’s 2025 draft pick, which is due to Oklahoma City being just 1-for-6 protected, are taking place across the Delaware Valley. The good vibes from the offseason have not only been erased, they have been sucked into the vacuum of space and pulled into a black hole.

If you’re the rare optimistic sort who also happens to be a Philadelphia sports fan, the hopeful view is that the meeting could end up being seen as a turning point in the season. Perhaps being taken to task by someone he loves and respects as much as Tyrese Maxey is the kick in the pants Embiid needed to refocus. Instead of further dividing the team, the meeting could serve to bring it together. Of course, there’s also always the straighter line, that this week’s events are another hole in the road to destruction.

Another positive note was a bit in Charania’s reporting that Maxey is expected back on the field sometime this week and has now been upgraded to questionable for tonight’s game in Memphis. Although the Sixers needed to strike a balance with the injury gods by letting Kyle Lowry sit out at least the next three games with a hip strain, we finally got to see the first time the Sixers have ever had Maxey, Embiid and Paul George available. together. Add in the team’s best player this season, rookie Jared McCain, and you’re cooking with gas. That group should definitely win basketball games at better than a .154 winning percentage clip going forward.

The Grizzlies endured their season from hell last year and have been much more normal this season, posting a respectable 8-7 record on the year. They lost last night at home to Denver, 122-110, so the Sixers catch a team in the second half of a back-to-back for the second straight game. Hopefully the less rested team won’t shockingly advance in the second half like we saw Monday in Miami.

Memphis won the meeting between these clubs earlier this month, 124-107, with reserve big man Jay Huff pacing the Sixers for 20 points in 14 minutes. The Grizzlies have some injury issues of their own, with Ja Morant (hip) and rookie Zach Edey (ankle) both currently out on a week-to-week timeline. Marcus Smart also missed last night’s game due to illness, and GG Jackson II remains out until January with a broken foot.

On paper, tonight’s contest could be where the Sixers get back on track. The Grizzlies are missing their star point guard, while Philadelphia could see their own return to action while also having the rest advantage. Win tonight and they can head back into a three-game homestand that starts with a winnable game against Brooklyn on Friday with some momentum. Of course, nothing about this Sixers season has gone to script, so let’s just hope things are better after Monday’s meeting spoke to the elephant in the room.

Game details

WHO: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Clock: NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers