3 76ers Bold Predictions Coming Out of the All-Star Break

The first half of the 2023-24 NBA regular season is officially in the books, with the Philadelphia 76ers in fifth place in the Eastern Conference (32-22). The Sixers’ season started with a ton of promise as reigning MVP Joel Embiid looked poised to win his second-straight league MVP.

However, Embiid suffered a knee injury earlier this month, which could sideline him for the rest of the regular season. Without Embiid, head coach Nick Nurse has had to lean on first-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul Reed, and new acquisitions Buddy Hield and Cameron Payne.

The Sixers have a tough stretch coming out of the All-Star game, where they will play the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics to end this month. 

It won’t be easy for Philadelphia. But if they can go 2-2 or 3-1 during that four-game stretch, it gives them a launch towards a strong second half.

With that in mind, we’ll discuss a few of our bold predictions for the Sixers when they come out of the NBA All-Star Break.

1. Ricky Council IV Joins Playoff Rotation

The former Arkansas standout has started to make a name for himself over the last few games before the All-Star break. The 22-year-old guard averaged 8.5 minutes per game in his first four games this month.

But with the Sixers missing numerous because of injury, it has allowed Council IV to get more minutes. Council had a ridiculous performance on Feb. 10 against the Wizards, where he recorded his first professional double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench.

The former Razorback star did a little bit of everything on the floor and brought energy to the Sixers, who needed it as they were trying to snap their four-game losing skid. 

After that career performance, Council saw 20-plus minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat. Sixers fans are excited to see what the rookie can do in the second half of the season, as he might end up playing himself into the playoff rotation.

Head coach Nick Nurse said after the Sixers’ loss to the Heat on Wednesday night that KJ Martin and Council could earn minutes when players come back and highlighted how the team doesn’t have a backup four behind Tobias Harris.

Nonetheless, if Council continues to play with a high motor and does those little things on the floor, I could see him boxing out a veteran for playoff minutes.