What’s Happening With the 76ers?

The Philadelphia 76ers’ rocky start got worse on Monday as they squandered a 19-point lead and fell to the Miami Heat, 106-89. After leading 46-27 in the second quarter, the Sixers were outscored 61-26 in just under 15 minutes. By the third quarter, it was game over.

Miami welcomed back Jimmy Butler, who posted a season-best 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 13-for-13 from the line.

Rookie Jared McCain led the Sixers with 20 points. Paul George added 18, but his 1-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc didn’t help.

Joel Embiid, returning from illness, managed just 11 points with no free throw attempts in 31 minutes, a career first for games where he played 25+ minutes. At 2-11, the Sixers are now tied for the league’s worst record, alongside the Wizards. Could this be a sign of deeper problems for a team with high preseason expectations?

Damian Lillard's Heroics Snap Rockets’ Streak

Damian Lillard returned with a bang after clearing concussion protocol, hitting a game-winning layup with just 3.9 seconds left to edge the Bucks past the Rockets 101-100.

He managed to pull 18 points, including the clutch basket. Brook Lopez dominated with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks while Giannis Antetokounmpo chipped in 20 points, 14 rebounds, and a game-saving block on Alperen Sengun. The Rockets, fresh off a 143-point explosion in Chicago, struggled offensively, managing just 100 points, their lowest output of the season.

Lakers Immortalize Pat Riley

Pat Riley, the mastermind behind the Showtim” Lakers, is getting a statue outside Crypto.com Arena. And honestly, how could he not?

Riley’s impact on basketball extends far beyond his immaculate suits and slicked-back hair. He coached the Lakers to four championships in the 1980s, pioneering the fast-paced, high-energy style that became synonymous with basketball excellence.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss reflected on Riley's legacy:

With his statue joining legends like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Jerry West in Star Plaza, Riley’s legacy is officially cemented in Lakers history.

A Chicago Legend Remembered

The NBA family mourns the loss of Bob Love, the three-time All-Star and Chicago Bulls icon, who passed away at 81 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Known as Butterbean for his childhood love of lima beans, Love's journey from northern Louisiana to NBA stardom is the stuff of legends. Drafted in the fourth round in 1965, Love blossomed into one of the league’s finest forwards with the Bulls, averaging a remarkable 21.3 points and 6.8 rebounds during his nine seasons.

His No. 10 jersey was retired in 1994, a testament to his impact both as a player and as a community ambassador. The Bulls’ statement summed it up perfectly:

"Bob's impact transcended basketball."

Bob Love wasn’t just a player, he was a beacon of hope, an inspiration, and a cherished member of Chicago's fabric. May his soul Rest In Peace.

Kings Await Key Reinforcements

The Sacramento Kings are finally seeing light at the end of the injury tunnel.  Malik Monk who has been out with an ankle sprain since Nov. 10, has been cleared for individual workouts. Sacramento’s bench desperately needs his scoring boost (12.6 PPG) after struggling as the league’s fourth-worst second unit.

DeMar DeRozan, averaging 22.9 PPG, has been cleared for on-court work. And Domantas Sabonis is on another day-to-day case, (20.2 PPG, 36.5 MPG) working toward rejoining the lineup.

Kristaps Porzingis Works Toward Celtics Return

Boston’s 7’3” Kristaps Porzingis is inching closer to his comeback. Assigned to the Maine Celtics for practice, Porzingis is entering the next phase of his recovery from ankle surgery, per team officials. While this doesn’t mean he’s game-ready just yet, December remains the likely target for his return.

The Celtics, sitting at 11-3, haven’t missed a beat without him. Veteran Al Horford has stepped up big time, connecting on 45% of his 3-point attempts while holding the fort down.

Bronny James Sidelined with Heel Injury

Bronny James, the Lakers’ rookie guard and son of LeBron James, is doubtful for today’s game against the Utah Jazz due to a bruised left heel. While the injury was only disclosed Monday, Bronny has been active between the NBA and G League, gaining valuable court time with the South Bay Lakers.

In the NBA he has only managed to play 16 minutes across five games, mostly in garbage time while in the G League he played extensively in two games, scoring six points in one and four in the other.

Meanwhile, LeBron and Bronny made history last month as the first father-son duo to play in the NBA simultaneously, but they haven’t shared the floor since. On the injury front, Rui Hachimura (ankle) remains questionable for the Jazz game, though coach JJ Redick hinted he’s making a lot of progress.

Seattle Storm Under Investigation

It’s not all sunny in Seattle. Reports surfaced Monday about an investigation into the Seattle Storm coaching staff for alleged harassment and bullying tied to player performance during the 2024 WNBA season. The Storm hired a law firm to investigate claims of mistreatment during practices and games.

This incidence came after multiple players reportedly come forward, triggering the probe two weeks ago. The coaching staff, led by Noelle Quinn and assistants Perry Huang, Pokey Chatman, and Ebony Hoffman, is under scrutiny.

Despite finishing the regular season 25-15, the Storm were swept by the Aces in the first round of the playoffs. Quinn, a former player, has been head coach since 2021 and signed a multi-year extension in 2023. The investigation is ongoing, and the WNBA Players Association is reportedly involved.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team