The Sixers are 3-1 and second in the East after a 106-93 loss to Detroit in which they never led. Four injured players carry an estimated return of Wednesday at Indiana, and that date matters more than the loss.
Was Sunday a bad night or a real problem?
Mostly a bad first quarter. Philadelphia trailed 34-22 after one, and Detroit's lead reached 21 with no lead change all game. Jaylen Brown shot 5-for-20 in 40 minutes, and Gina Mizell of the Inquirer noted the team shot 36 percent. Tyrese Maxey scored 18 of his 29 in the fourth, which cut it to 79-75 before the Pistons pulled away.
Who actually comes back Wednesday at Indiana?
The estimates say Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Jabari Walker and Tacko Fall all return October 28. Estimates are not clearances, and Embiid and Edgecombe both sat Sunday. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was cleared Monday after a wrist tag, which helps. Dominick Barlow is listed for November 2, and Ariel Hukporti for October 1, 2027.
Does Nick Nurse need to change the closing group?
The five who finished, Wade, Brown, Caldwell-Pope, James and Maxey, posted plus-minuses of -1, -19, -18, -22 and -9. Mizell wrote that the early small-ball look was not great at 12-1 down, with Detroit up 7-2 on the boards. Adem Bona then grabbed 13 rebounds in 25 minutes. Give him more of those minutes.
How much does one loss cost in the East?
Little. Philadelphia is 3-1, the second seed, and 1.5 games ahead of 11th. The next five are Indiana, New York on October 30 in an Emirates NBA Cup game, Charlotte, Chicago, then Detroit again on November 4. Circle that rematch, because Sunday showed what a quarter spent chasing costs.
What is the Sixers' record after the Pistons game?
They are 3-1 and second in the East after the 106-93 loss to Detroit on October 25.
When do the Sixers play next?
They play Wednesday, October 28, at Indiana, with the game on ESPN.
