2024 Philadelphia 76ers playoff picture after win vs OKC Thunder (April 2): Updated standings, schedule and more

The Philadelphia 76ers secured a thrilling 109-105 victory at home against the understaffed OKC Thunder on Tuesday, giving a boost to their chances of making the playoffs.

The competition celebrated the comeback of Sixers’ exceptional center Joel Embiid, who participated in his initial match since Jan. 30. Embiid was absent for 29 consecutive games due to surgery on his left knee meniscus, causing Philly to have a record of 11-18 during his absence.

Despite the Sixers gaining their top player, the Thunder suffered a loss as their superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unable to play due to a right quad injury. Additionally, rising star wing Jalen Williams was also sidelined with an ankle injury, giving Philly a valuable chance to secure a crucial win.

Despite being short-handed, OKC maintained control throughout the game and even built a 13-point lead in the second half. With 7:27 remaining, the Thunder still held a 94-83 lead and seemed to be on track for a major upset as they worked towards securing the top seed in the Western Conference.

Despite the Sixers initially falling behind, they managed to mount a comeback and ultimately secured a four-point victory with a 26-11 run to close the contest.

In the crucial moments of the game, Embiid stepped up and made several clutch free throws to secure the victory. He ended the game with 24 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, shooting 42.9% from the field. Similarly, his teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. also had an impressive performance with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, and four 3-pointers made on 50.0% shooting.

Regarding OKC, their rookie big man Chet Holmgren’s 22-point performance was the driving force behind their success.

Despite Tuesday’s win, the Sixers are still in the hunt for a playoff spot and currently in play-in positioning. This makes their remaining schedule crucial for their chances of reaching the playoffs.

With six games left in the regular season, here is an overview of where Philly stands in the Eastern conference playoff picture.

Philadelphia 76ers Playoff Push: Current Standings and Potential Matchups

After defeating OKC on Tuesday, the Sixers (41-35) maintain their position as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. They are currently 1.5 games behind the seventh-seeded Miami Heat (42-33) and 2.0 games behind the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers (43-33). This means they still have a chance to secure a top-six seed and avoid the play-in tournament.

Despite being 3.5 games behind the fifth-seeded New York Knicks (44-31), it is improbable that Philly will secure a higher position than sixth.

Luckily for the Sixers, they currently hold a significant 5.0-game lead over the Chicago Bulls (36-40), who are in ninth place. Therefore, they are not at risk of falling below the eighth spot.

Philadelphia 76ers Playoff Schedule

Regarding the remainder of the season for Philly, their outlook remains positive as they have the easiest remaining strength of schedule in the NBA. Their opponents have an average winning percentage of just. 378.

Four out of the remaining six games for the Sixers will be played against teams with records below. 500, which includes two games against the three lowest-ranked teams in the NBA.

Therefore, Philly is poised to finish the season with a strong finish.

Philadelphia 76ers’ Key Player for Playoff Success

Despite having six remaining games to potentially improve their standing, the Sixers should prioritize Embiid’s health.

Despite the presence of the reigning MVP, Philly is expected to be a strong contender in the playoffs, regardless of their seeding. However, in his absence, the team’s performance has been comparable to that of a lottery team, with a record of just 14-27 for the season.

If the Sixers decide to take a careful approach with Embiid towards the end of the season, they should still be well positioned for the playoffs.