Getty Sixers big man Joel Embiid notched his 23rd double-double in 40 games on February 4, 2022.
A crooked rim led to a 44-minute delay in the first quarter of the Sixers-Mavericks game on Friday night. The entire hoop, backboard, and stanchion had to replaced. The stoppage occurred with 6:03 left in the frame following a Luka Doncic three-pointer and the Sixers leading 19-17.
The officials examined it. Dallas center Boban Marjanović — a former Sixers fan-favorite — tried to fix it. And the Sixers and Mavericks social media teams played digital tic-tac-toe as everyone waited for arena maintenance. The scene went viral and the Sixers wound up losing 107-98.
After the game, Joel Embiid admitted the basket delay hurt his team’s momentum. Not an excuse, though. Dallas switched to a flummoxing zone defense in the second half that confused Philly. The Mavericks outscored the Sixers 54-35 in the second half.
ICYMI, against an adequate team like Dallas, …
-Tobias Harris is waaaay to slow, horrible decision maker vs zone D.
-Doc Rivers refuses to change rotations vs zone D
-Rivers didn’t have Thybulle on Doncic throughout.
-Danny Green is over the hill.
Result:bad Sixer loss
“It was ridiculous that we had to wait that long and that happened,” Embiid told reporters, via The Athletic. “But like I said, that’s not an excuse. We had a chance to win that game and we didn’t take advantage of it.”
18 straight games of 25+ points… but Joel Embiid will still dive on the floor to secure a loose ball!
@sixers lead at halftime on ESPN
Embiid finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds, good for his 23rd double-double in 40 games. The Sixers were cruising early and took a 63-53 lead into the halftime locker room. They shot 56.4% from the field before seeing that baffling zone.
“We should have really blown them out,” said Embiid. “We gave them life.”
The @sixers and @dallasmavs accounts played tic-tac-toe during the break 😂
“We gotta figure some stuff out,” Seth Curry said. “It’s been a few times this year we’ve been pretty bad against the zone.”
The latest Sixers news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on Sixers newsletter here!
Players Offer Fans Food During Basket Delay
There wasn’t much to do during the 44-minute hiatus, not for the players or fans. Embiid took a nap. Doncic offered to buy concessions for the entire arena (via Callie Caplan) but officials told him that wasn’t logistically possible. And Tyrese Maxey joked about everyone going to Whataburger, the beloved Texas fast-food chain.
Luka Doncic just came over to Mavs officials and offered to buy concessions for everyone waiting out this broken rim delay.
Logistically, Mavs and arena officials can’t make that happen on such short notice, but good on ya, Luka.
Meanwhile, Marjanović tried to save the day by using his 7-foot-4 frame to adjust the rim. Officials supplied him with a ladder, tape measure and level. It was a valiant effort, but the professionals had to be called in.
hey, @DallasMavs! 👋
Is Boban available to help hang our TVs?
‘Increasingly Likely’ Ben Simmons Stays
Following a report that the Sixers and Nets were engaged in trade discussions for James Harden, another report shot down the likelihood of that happening. Ben Simmons doesn’t appear on the verge of going anywhere.
According to Philly Voice’s Kyle Neubeck, Simmons will remain on the Sixers’ roster once the deadline passes on February 10. He cited sources saying that Philly has had “exploratory conversations” with the Hawks, Cavaliers, Raptors, Pacers, Pistons, Timberwolves, Kings, Trailblazers, Wizards. However, there is more than one major rub in a potential deal.
Neubeck wrote: “The Sixers continue to wait on an offer that either significantly moves their title odds forward this season or blows them away with assets that can help them acquire the level of star they are after at a later date. So far, such a deal has not materialized.”
Live NBA trade rumors: #Sixers have talked to these nine teams about a Ben Simmons deal