Sixers's losing streak hits eight games as injuries and rotating lineups impact performance

The Philadelphia 76ers’ season continued to spiral as they suffered their eighth consecutive loss on Sunday night, falling 127-109 to the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. With only nine available players on the roster, the 76ers once again had to juggle lineups, marking their 51st different starting five of the season—a figure that ties the NBA record set last year by the Memphis Grizzlies. This ongoing shuffle has been a direct result of the team’s injury woes, and despite being competitive early on, the Sixers’ lack of consistency and depth ultimately caught up to them.

Lineup Woes Continue

The Sixers’ makeshift lineup on Sunday was another example of their mounting struggles. Starting for Philadelphia were Jared Butler, Lonnie Walker IV, Justin Edwards, Ricky Council IV, and Adem Bona. With just nine players available, the team was already at a disadvantage before stepping onto the court. Early in the game, the 76ers' inexperience and lack of cohesion were evident. Edwards and Butler quickly picked up early fouls, forcing the team to adapt on the fly. On top of that, Philadelphia committed six turnovers in the first quarter alone, many of them off-target passes, giving the Raptors easy fast-break opportunities. Toronto capitalized, with RJ Barrett’s aggressive play (10 points in under five minutes) and an Ochai Agbaji three-pointer extending the Raptors' lead to 21-12 early on.

By the end of the first quarter, the Sixers had shifted to a makeshift second unit, consisting of Jalen Hood-Schifino, Marcus Bagley, Alex Reese, and Phillip Wheeler. Hood-Schifino ended the quarter on a high note, hitting a step-back three-pointer that cut the lead slightly, but the Raptors went into the second quarter with a 63-49 lead.

Edwards’ Shooting Struggles

Edwards, who had been one of the few bright spots in the Sixers' recent stretch, struggled on Sunday. Prior to the game, Edwards had scored at least 17 points in seven consecutive contests and had been shooting an impressive 50% from beyond the arc during that stretch. However, against the Raptors, Edwards went 0-for-4 from deep, a significant part of the Sixers' larger shooting woes. As a team, the Sixers began the game 2-for-14 from three-point range, failing to capitalize on open looks and struggling to find any rhythm offensively.

The team’s offensive frustrations were compounded by sloppy turnovers and a lack of discipline in the second quarter. A notable miscue came just before halftime when the Sixers were called for an eight-second violation because Butler was unable to bring the ball across half-court in time. To make matters worse, Ja’Kobe Walter tipped in a basket just before the buzzer, giving Toronto a comfortable 63-49 lead heading into the break.

Bright Spots in Bona and Walker

Despite the loss, there were some positive individual performances for the Sixers. Lonnie Walker IV led the team with 23 points and seven assists, keeping the game competitive in spurts with his offensive creativity. Walker was able to create his own scoring opportunities and found his teammates with some clever assists. Additionally, rookie Adem Bona played one of his best games in a Sixers uniform, recording 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, grabbing eight rebounds, and blocking five shots. His defensive presence was particularly notable, as he has now recorded 11 blocks over his last three games. Although Bona’s efforts were admirable, it wasn’t enough to overcome the overall lack of depth and cohesion from the team.

A Losing Streak and the Race to the Bottom

With their latest defeat, the Sixers’ losing streak has now extended to eight games. At 23-52, they are firmly in the mix for a high draft pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. As things stand, the team has the fifth-best odds in the lottery, with a chance to retain their first-round pick if it falls within the top six. While Philadelphia may be facing a difficult rest of the season, the front office is likely hoping to secure a high pick that can help turn the franchise’s fortunes around in the coming years.

The Raptors, meanwhile, sit at 28-47 and have been plagued by their own injury issues, yet they have more depth and talent to work with. Despite being in a rebuilding phase themselves, Toronto proved to be the more complete team on Sunday, finishing the game with a relatively stress-free fourth quarter to secure the win.

Looking Ahead

The Sixers' next challenge comes on Tuesday night when they travel to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks. With the team’s current injury situation and lack of consistency, it’s hard to see them turning the corner anytime soon. However, the front office and coaching staff will have to focus on player development and evaluating potential pieces for the future. It remains to be seen how the team will address their shortcomings during the offseason, but for now, the 76ers are stuck in the race to the bottom as they aim for a better shot at the lottery.