Philly has been playing well with the playoffs right around the corner, could the team climb the east standings and be poised for a deep playoff run?
A recent take from Kevin O'Connor has sparked an interesting conversation. Could the Philadelphia 76ers make a deep playoff run as the No. 5 seed?
"HUGE win for the Sixers. #5 seed still in reach. Getting healthy at the right time. As long as they enter the playoffs healthy I don't think you should rule out a Conference Finals run," O'Connor posted to X.
It's not as unrealistic as it may seem.
Despite an up-and-down season, Philly remains one of the most dangerous teams of the Eastern Conference when healthy. That belief starts with Joel Embiid. The former MVP continues to be one of the most dominant players in the league, capable of scoring from all three levels and spearheading a team as the dominant offensive force.
Alongside him is Tyrese Maxey, who has taken another leap as a primary scorer and playmaker. He combines electric speed with a great shot from beyond the arc. Maxey is one of the most difficult scorers to game-plan against in the NBA.
The emergence of younger contributors has added another layer to the Sixers roster. V.J. Edgecombe is a rookie guard who provides both athleticism and scoring punch, while players such as Kelly Oubre Jr. bring energy, defense, and versatility on the wing. This sort of depth is needed in the playoffs, as the game slows down and matchups and adjustments are made on both sides.
The path itself is what makes this scenario intriguing.
As a potential five seed, Philadelphia would play the four-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. After a slow start in the first half of the season, Cleveland traded for star guard James Harden to diversify the offense. The trade has been a massive success, as the Cavs are 15-5 with Harden on the team and look far better on offense now that Donovan Mitchell does not have to do a large majority of the on-ball creating. It would be a difficult matchup, but if the Sixers manage to win, then a deep playoff run would come down to health and execution.
The Sixers have reached the second round multiple times in recent years but have yet to break through to the conference finals, often falling short in heartbreaking fashion. This time, however, the combination of star power and improved depth could give them a different outcome if the stars align.
The margin for error remains thin, though. Teams like the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons still present major obstacles, but the East is wide open with no clear-cut contender, and seeding may matter less than matchup and circumstance.
If Embiid is healthy, Maxey can continue his scoring dominance, and the supporting cast holds up, a fifth-seeded Sixers team making a conference finals run is within reach.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.