The 32-41 Miami Heat have a healthy 5.5-game lead over the 27-47 Toronto Raptors for the 10th and final slot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament bracket.
At 23-50, the No. 12-seeded Philadelphia 76ers are nine games behind Miami, but have yet to be officially eliminated from postseason contention.
On Saturday night, the two former East contenders will square off in a critical game for both franchises.
Still smarting after an abysmal 10-game losing streak, Miami is looking to stabilize itself with the postseason looming. Philadelphia, meanwhile, is hoping to maximize its lottery odds.
After making a huge free agency splash over the summer, Philadelphia has been dealing with the fallout of a year from absolute hell.
Maximum-salaried new All-Star signing Paul George regressed mightily in his age-34 season, and was mercifully shut down when the 76ers acknowledged their playoff aspirations were all but dead. Philadelphia has already moved off another of its big free agent signings, ex-Heat forward Caleb Martin, in a trade to the Dallas Mavericks.
More NBA News:76ers' Nightmare Season Continues as Paul George Will Miss Remainder of Year
2023 league MVP center Joel Embiid struggled with left knee inflammation all year, and was officially ruled out for the rest of the season in Feb. The oft-hurt big man, 31, only suited up in 19 games. Philadelphia just extended him to the tune of a three-year, $192.9 million maximum deal over the summer, so confident was the club in his long-term health.
The 76ers' third All-Star, point guard Tyrese Maxey, has yet to be officially ruled out for the season, but is certainly trending to not play again in 2024-25 as team general manager Daryl Morey looks to increase his bid for a top pick in this summer's 2025 NBA Draft.
Per Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports, Maxey has been ruled out with a sprained right finger. The 6-foot-2 Kentucky product hasn't played since March 3. In his 52 healthy games this year, Maxey is averaging 26.3 points on .437/.337/.879 shooting splits, 6.1 dimes, 3.3 boards, and 1.8 swipes a night.
So what of Andrew Wiggins?
A one-time All-Star and champion with the Golden State Warriors, Wiggins was the most critical present-day piece to return to Miami (the team also added a first-round draft pick) as part of its blockbuster multi-team trade of six-time All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler, who landed with the revamped Golden State Warriors.
More NBA News:Warriors' Jimmy Butler Breaks Silence on Heat Suspension Ahead of Matchup
Wiggins and Butler have actually put up comparable scoring numbers on their respective new squads, but Butler remains by far the better defender, distributor, and (when so inclined) locker room presence.
Per Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters that Wiggins is sitting out this road jaunt against Philadelphia to treat a tight hamstring.
The 30-year-old is averaging 19.9 points on .465/.367/.761 shooting splits, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steal,s and 1.1 blocks in his 15 healthy games for the Heat.
More NBA News:
Heat Star Bam Adebayo Fined $50K for Profane Language, Making Contact with an Official
76ers Lose Another Crucial Player to Injury as Nightmare Season Continues
76ers Star Joel Embiid Ruled Out For Remainder of NBA Season
For more Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and general NBA news and rumors, stay tuned toNewsweek Sports.
Related Articles
76ers vs Hawks Injury Report: Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey Status Revealed
How to Watch 76ers vs Spurs: Live Stream NBA, TV Channel
76ers Nightmare Season Continues as Paul George Will Miss Remainder of Season
Celtics vs 76ers Injury Report: Status For Jayson Tatum, Paul George Revealed
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 2:53 PM.