Earlier Friday, we talked about how close the 76ers have been playing teams and that you can feel the end to the losing streak at least becoming possible. In Friday’s 93-92 loss to the Knicks, that especially seemed to be the case. But the way the game unfolded, and what lies ahead, it really seemed like the one they needed to put an end to the drought, which began following Jan. 29’s win, fueled by an Evan Turner buzzer beater.
This tweet from Chris Vito captures the double-whammy in last night’s loss—not just losing, but the slim chances ahead.
A three-ball from Thaddeus Young got the score down to a one-possession game after one of the Sixers’ season-high 41st three-point attempt of the season. Down by two with eight seconds left, James Anderson botched a pass for Young in the corner and the Sixers dropped their chances of what could have been a go-ahead shot from one of their most reliable players. The ball trickled out of bounds and allowed the Knicks to make it a three-point game. Michael Carter-Williams would miss in his attempt to tie the game in the final seconds with a three, and Philadelphia had its 23rd consecutive loss.
Amar’e Stoudemire had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Carter-Williams posted a near triple-double, coming one assist shy. The rookie had 21 points and matched a season-high 13 rebounds.
To make things worse for Philadelphia, they will be without arguably their third best player on their upcoming road trip to Chicago. Tony Wroten suffered what appeared to be a very painful high ankle sprain. The sixth man and energy bunny will not travel with the team on the three-game road trip as he seeks further treatment on the injured ankle.
The injury and going nearly two months now made Wroten frustrated after the game. He admitted that the losing is not easy as the team is not used to it.
"Hell no," guard he said. "I'm never used to losing. I speak for the team, too. There's no such thing as getting used to losing. I never come into a game talking about, 'Oh, we're going to lose, let's just play."
