Although the Philadelphia 76ers are now 2-11 following Monday night’s 106-89 loss to the Miami Heat, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI) is still giving the Sixers a 60.4% chance to make the playoffs.
2024-25 Philadelphia 76ers could become the ninth NBA team to start 2-11 or worse and reach the playoffs
The 76ers are currently tied with the Toronto Raptors (2-11) for dead last in the Eastern Conference standings. According to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, of the 106 teams to start 2-11 or worse in NBA history, just eight went on to make the playoffs.
Only three of those teams had a winning record as well. Against Miami, the 76ers also wound up becoming the first team this season to lead by at least 19 and trail by at least 20 in the same game.
Per ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, simulations using ESPN’s BPI show the Sixers winning 38 games. Of course, 39 wins are necessary to finish in the top six and avoid the play-in tournament.
The 76ers are 2-11. They're a half-game better than the worst record in the NBA.
106 teams have started 2-11 or worse in NBA history; just 8 have made the playoffs. Only 3 of those had a winning record.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) November 19, 2024
Philadelphia would have to go 37-32 over the rest of the season to reach that mark. Teams have reached the playoffs despite struggling earlier on. The 2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers began their campaign 2-10 before finishing with a 43-39 record.
Los Angeles defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in tournament to earn the No. 7 seed. The Lakers then eliminated the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round and knocked off the Golden State Warriors in the second round.
2021-22 New Orleans Pelicans started 1-12 and finished 36-46
Interesting enough, the 2021-22 Pelicans were in a rougher spot than this year’s Sixers after starting 1-12. They bounced back to finish the season 36-46 and ninth in the Western Conference.
New Orleans earned a playoff spot by winning back-to-back games in the play-in tournament, but they wound up losing in the first round to the Phoenix Suns.
However, the 76ers need to get and stay healthy if they plan to reach the postseason. Tyrese Maxey remains out indefinitely due to a strained right hamstring, and Joel Embiid missed the first six games because of left knee injury management.
Embiid, 30, was also suspended three games without pay for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after a 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 2.
Additionally, the NBA issued a $100,000 fine to the Sixers for public statements the organization made about the health status of Embiid. The public comments did not properly reflect his health issues with his left knee.
The little stuff can pile up and distract a team. All of these events have contributed to the 76ers’ rocky start. Even at full strength, the Sixers face an uphill battle. They have not advanced to the conference finals since 2001.
Philadelphia ends a three-game trip Wednesday in Memphis.
