The 76ers lack someone who can close out games down the stretch (10/23/21)

With 5:32 left remaining in the game, the Sixers took a 108–98 lead against the Brooklyn Nets off a lob pass from Tobias Harris that resulted in a slam dunk for Matisse Thybulle.

After that play, the Nets called a timeout, as the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center was on their feet filled with excitement. At that point during the game, it looked as though that the Sixers were going to win the game and start the season 2–0.

That wasn’t the case, as the Nets went on a 16–1 run, which ultimately won them the game by a score of 114–109.

The Sixers were unable to muster a single basket for the rest of the game. Danny Green air-balled two shots during the final few minutes and the rest of the team looked completely lost on the offensive end, including Joel Embiid.

Ever since the departure of Jimmy Butler, the Sixers have lacked a go-to player that you can rely on during crunch time to put the ball in the basket.

Not only was it evident last night, but during last season’s playoff series vs the Atlanta Hawks, the team was unable to put up any points within the last few minutes of games four, five, and seven, which was the main reason why they lost that playoff series.

All the elite to good teams in the league have closers, such as Steph Curry for the Warriors, Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Bucks, Lebron James for the Lakers, and Kevin Durant for the Nets, where he showed that late-game dominance last night vs. the Sixers.

If the Sixers were to acquire a closer via trade, it would have to be superstar players Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal, and unfortunately, both of those players do not intend to leave their respective teams at the moment.

Right now, the Sixers will just have to rely on either Embiid, Harris, or Seth Curry to get them late-game buckets until one of those star players mentioned above requests a trade.

Without a quality closer, the Sixers will not be able to contend for a championship.