Mar 24, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. (11) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The Sixers rested - yes, rested - Quentin Grimes, lost to the New Orleans Pelicans and kept pace in the tanking race. Mission accomplished.
Here's what I saw.
- I thought there was a high likelihood that Jeff Dowtin Jr. had suffered a significant knee injury when his knee buckled upon his foot sliding on the court in the first half. Glad he was able to come back and play pretty quickly.
Side note: The shot that he made upon sliding and knee buckling was maybe the most difficult jumper any Sixer has made this season. Contested, off balance, lacking upward energy through one of his legs and probably in some discomfort. Still drilled it.
- If you ever want raw film of just how easy it is to beat the Sixers' defense by simply running hard, watch Karlo Matkovic run the floor in this game. First of all, who?? Second of all, that dude need not do much more than sprint the court and make himself available for a pass and it was a bucket. Way too easy. These guys are ready for Cancun.
- I don't know whether to thank or chastise our Swiss Army knife managing editor Tim Kelly for starting me on Severance. But it's too late for me to go back now. Seeing that Quentin Grimes was ruled out for the game due to rest early in the afternoon made me think of one person - Helly R. For most of the post All-Star stretch, the Sixers have been Helly R - rebelling against the company line (refusing to admit, at least publicly, that they're best off tanking) that Lumon employees such as Irving, Burt and Milchick push so hard. Many of us on the outside have functioned as those Lumon employees who are bought into the cause (whatever the hell it is that Lumon does, I haven't gotten that far), seeing no problem with the morality of the severance operation or company shadiness (tanking, in this case).
That was until Monday, when Grimes was ruled out for the tank fest with the Pelicans due to rest. Now, I haven't gotten far enough to know exactly what happens. But I do know that (SPOILER ALERT) Helly R is around for season two. So I'm assuming that, on some level, she begins to buy into Lumon's conduct. It would just be a very tiring subplot if she spent the whole show trying to resign from the company. If my suspicion is correct, then today was the day the Sixers got off the elevator and decided to make it clear that they were done rebelling against the tank. Helly R finally stopped fighting Lumon. Disclaimer: In my analogy, Helly would be giving in for better or for worse, I haven't gotten far enough to know. By contrast, the Sixers "giving in" is objectively for their long-term betterment.
- If I'm wrong, I'm sorry I wasted your time with that.
- Every company has a corporate shill like Irving. Don't be an Irving.
The Sixers (23-49) will host the Washington Wizards (15-56) on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., Eastern time. You can watch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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