76ers Off to Fastest Start in Over a Decade Following Win vs. Nets

Another public standoff couldn’t hold the Philadelphia 76ers back. In fact, they seem stronger than ever, despite the ten-time All-Star James Harden forcing his way out, getting to work on that plan as early as June.

Harden would last just three games in Philadelphia during the 2023-2024 NBA season. Although he didn’t play in a single matchup until he got out West, Harden sat on the Sixers’ bench for his final night with the team. At that point, the Sixers improved to 2-1 on the year, with their lone loss coming on opening night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

From the second game of the season up until November 14, the Sixers went undefeated. When they hosted the Indiana Pacers for a rematch in South Philly, the 76ers held a league-leading eight-game win streak. They had to lose at some point, and the Pacers were the team to take them down.

The following night, the Boston Celtics got a crack at the Sixers and took advantage of the 76ers’ tough scheduling. While the Sixers didn’t want to make excuses for the loss, they were understandably frustrated with losing two in a row.

Since then, the Sixers have bounced back. Entering a new weekly slate of games, the Sixers made it to November 20 with ten wins on the year. It’s their quickest start in over ten seasons.

According to Sixers Stats, the 76ers’ win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon ensured the Sixers secured ten wins faster than any other season between now and 2011-2012.

That season, the Sixers had a similar start. After dropping the season-opener, Philadelphia split the record with a bounce-back win. Although the third game resulted in a loss as well, the Sixers won nine of their following ten games.

You probably know the famous saying, though, when it comes to sports and many other things, It’s not about how you start; it’s about how you finish. The 2011-2012 Sixers team is a great example of what you don’t want, considering they finished the condensed season with a 35-31 record, placing them third in the Atlantic Division before heading into the playoffs and dropping out in the second round.

The Sixers have higher expectations this season. The quick start is promising, but they are expected to remain near the top of the Eastern Conference throughout the year, while hoping to advance past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2001.