Sixers should be ready to bounce back vs. Tyrese Haliburton’s Pacers

It’s clearly been an exciting start overall to the 2026-27 season for the Sixers, but we got our first taste of a loss for this team on Sunday. On the second night of a back-to-back, with Joel Embiid out and a host of injuries to the backup center rotation, the Sixers lost to the Pistons, 106-93.

The Sixers shot just 7-of-25 from three, made only 14 of their 23 free throw attempts, Jaylen Brown struggled (as did most of the team) and shot 5-of-20, and they gave up 15 offensive rebounds. From the lacking center rotation in Embiid’s absence to the rebounding issues, it was a look at where the Sixers could use some improvement.

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On Wednesday, after getting an extra day of rest, the Sixers will be on the road with a chance to bounce back against the 2-2 Pacers.

Having Embiid back on Wednesday is huge. The already thin center depth was obvious against Detroit, and that was even with Jalen Duren out. The rest of the Sixers’ injured bigs are still included on the injury report, though. Dominick Barlow, Tacko Fall and Jabari Walker all remain out.

The Pacers are banged up themselves. Johnny Furphy (ACL surgery), T.J. McConnell (right hamstring strain), Ben Sheppard (left meniscus tear), and Ivica Zubac (left ankle sprain) are all out. Zubac’s absence in particular will make life far easier for the Sixers’ smaller lineups. Andrew Nembhard (neck soreness) and newly returned star Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring soreness) are both questionable. Obi Toppin (left hand sprain) is probable.

While the Sixers’ frontcourt remains shorthanded, we’ve seen a fair dose of LeBron at the 5. Which, despite not being something he or the team want to rely on using too much, has been effective in spells. The physicality, IQ, still versatile defense when he’s locked in, and offensive skill that needs no introduction makes LeBron a unique smaller option.

Apart from getting healthier at center, rebounding has to improve, too. As Nick Nurse emphasized after Sunday’s loss, it’s not just about one position: it’s a team effort.

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“All five guys got to rebound. I just look at the numbers there and the defensive rebounding, just…

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Publish date : 2026-10-28 13:17:00

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