The 76ers (43-35) will play their final road game of the 2023-24 regular season Sunday in San Antonio, visiting the Spurs (19-58).
Philadelphia arrives in San Antonio on a four-game winning streak, most recently featuring a 116-98 victory over the Grizzlies Saturday in Memphis.
“The vibes are immaculate again,” Kelly Oubre Jr. (17 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast) said postgame. “We’re just trying to keep this momentum, get better, and get our rhythm as a unit again. It’s taken time, but we’re here.”
The Sixers won the first meeting between San Antonio and Philadelphia this season, a 133-123 victory on Jan. 22 in South Philadelphia.
Joel Embiid’s career night lifted the Sixers to victory, notching a historic 70 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block. He shot 24-for-41 from the field, 1-for-2 from deep, and 21-for-23 from the foul line.
San Antonio rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama recorded 33 points, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks in that first matchup.
Following Sunday’s meeting with San Antonio, the Sixers will close the regular season on a three-game homestand, hosting the Detroit Pistons (13-65) Tuesday, the Orlando Magic (45-32) Friday, and Brooklyn Nets (31-47) Sunday.
As of Saturday evening, the Sixers occupy the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference, just 0.5 games behind the No. 7 Miami Heat (43-34), and 1.0 games behind the No. 6 Indiana Pacers (44-34).
The Heat and Pacers will face off against one another Sunday, a 5 p.m. ET tipoff in Indianapolis.
OPPONENT OUTLOOK
The Spurs (19-58) are 5-5 in their last 10 games. They won their most recent outing, 111-109, Friday at New Orleans.
Devonte’ Graham led San Antonio in scoring in the victory, finishing with 20 points, two rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 25 minutes off the bench.
Wembanyama finished his evening just one assist shy of a triple-double, recording 17 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, a steal, and three blocks in the win.
In his rookie campaign, Wembanyama leads San Antonio in scoring (21.1 ppg), rebounds (10.6 rpg), steals (1.3 spg), and blocks (3.5 bpg). He leads the NBA in blocks by a significant margin, with 2nd-place Anthony Davis averaging 2.4 blocks per game.
SPURS INJURY REPORT
Keldon Johnson (left foot sprain) is probable Sunday, while San Antonio will be without Dominick Barlow (left knee bone bruise), former Sixer Charles Bassey (left ACL tear), Cedi Osman (right ankle sprain), Jeremy Sochan (left ankle impingement), and Devin Vassell (right third metatarsal head; stress reaction).
SATURDAY’S TOP PERFORMANCES
Joel Embiid
- In just 23 minutes of play, Embiid finished with 30 points, 12 rebounds, an assist, and two blocks. He shot 9-for-13 from the field, 2-for-2 from long range, and 10-for-13 from the free throw line.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
- Oubre finished with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, a block, and two steals in his 27 minutes. He shot 5-for-10 from the floor.
QUOTES TO NOTE
Embiid on watching Marc Gasol’s jersey retirement postgame in Memphis:
“It’s great. That’s my guy. He’s a great guy, great human being. We had some great battles, especially in the playoffs. I’m happy for him. This is an honor, to get your jersey retired. I’m excited to go out there and watch it.”
Oubre on growing as a passer after his second five-plus-assist game of the season:
“I’ve been able to see the floor better. Coach Nurse has brought that up out of me. Making the play. Obviously I feel like I could score every time I get the ball, but at the end of the day, there’s often a better read, and a better shot to be made, by one of my teammates. So I’m just learning with the ball in my hands a little bit.”
FOLLOW ALONG
Sunday’s 76ers-Spurs game is a 7 p.m. EDT start in San Antonio.
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Listen: 97.5 The Fanatic
UNIFORMS
The Sixers are scheduled to wear their white Association Edition uniforms, while the Spurs will wear their black Statement Edition uniforms.
@SIXERS SOCIAL