The Philadelphia 76ers started their 2023 NBA playoffs campaign with a convincing win over the Brooklyn Nets. Led by Joel Embiid’s 26 points, five boards, and three blocks, the Sixers dominated the game, finishing with a 121-101 victory. James Harden also had a record-setting night from beyond the arc, going 7 of 13 and finishing with 23 points and 13 assists, while Tobias Harris added 21 points on 9 of 14 shooting from the field.
The Sixers’ success this season is a far cry from their underwhelming performance last year, where they suffered a second-round exit at the hands of the Miami Heat. However, the mid-season acquisition of James Harden seems to have made a significant impact on the team’s fortunes.
When has curry done this
— Jax 🔔 (@Jax_Santo) April 15, 2023
Fans take a jab at James Harden’s impact for ankle-breaking dribbling to Dinwiddie and suggest that he needs to invest in ski boots after a playoff match against the Nets.
Travel
— Pat Meyers (@PatMeyers187) April 15, 2023
Despite initial chemistry and injury issues, the Sixers have adjusted well to Harden’s presence, and he finished the season as the assist-per-game leader with 10.7.
"Harden might be a superstar on the court, but he's a nightmare for my bro's ankles. Time to invest in some ski boots for that extra support bro! #HardenHatesAnkles"
— The OUTLAW BENNY ANDERS (@undefin48889696) April 15, 2023
As they head into the playoffs, Harden is confident that the team is ready to make a deep run. With a full year under their belts, they know what to expect, what works, and what their strengths are. The team is well-positioned to make waves in the playoffs, and if they can maintain the momentum they built during the regular season, they could very well be title contenders.
Of course, a large part of the Sixers’ success this season can be attributed to the dominant season that Joel Embiid just had. The All-Star center has been in exceptional form, and his contributions will be crucial to the Sixers’ success in the playoffs. P.J. Tucker has also been a menace on the glass, with five offensive rebounds in the opening game against the Nets.
All in all, the Sixers have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about their prospects in the playoffs. They look like a completely different team compared to previous years, and with the talent they have on their roster, they are capable of making a deep run. The playoffs are always unpredictable, but the Sixers have shown that they are well-prepared for the challenge.
Best handle of any player 220+ lbs in NBA history
— Jon Juko (@jon_juko) April 15, 2023
Lmao Sixers assistant coach pic.twitter.com/khvWY6eiOT
— Chank (@DelcoDev) April 15, 2023
Dinwiddie after the game🥹 pic.twitter.com/0Kx5HjBlmm
— Sensei Aviles®️✝️🇻🇦👔💼📈🥋 (@Aviles1910) April 15, 2023
James Harden Optimistic about Health Ahead of Playoffs: Ready to Lead Sixers to Victory
The Philadelphia 76ers head into their playoff opener against the Brooklyn Nets with a clean injury report. James Harden, who sat out four late March games with left Achilles soreness, stated that he feels “great” ahead of Round 1, Game 1. Harden expressed optimism about his health, noting that he had prepared his body for the playoffs by balancing work and rest.
He believes he will perform better than last postseason, where he struggled with a lingering left hamstring issue. In his first full season as a Sixer, Harden averaged 21.0 points on 44.1/38.5/86.7 shooting splits and an NBA-best 10.7 assists.
Danuel House Jr. noted no differences between Harden now and how he looked entering the playoffs during his Rockets days, stating that “It’s the same Playoff James that’s getting ready to play.”
