Philadelphia 76ers stars Tyrese Maxey and Paul George comment on the struggles of Joel Embiid after a loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

A season full of championship hopes in Philadelphia has turned into a debacle for the 76ers, and the latest blight came Saturday in a defeat to Brooklyn, their seventh straight loss, and, one that saw two-time NBA scoring champion Joe Embiid get benched.

PHILADELPHIA — D’Angelo Russell’s importance as the Nets’ leader and so-called alpha is clearest when they struggle without him. And Brooklyn will be without him for Saturday’s game in Philadelphia, sidelined with a sprained right ankle.

D’Angelo Russell had 22 points, five rebounds and four assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 100-96 on Wednesday night in the teams' last game before the All-Star break. Nic Claxton had 13 points,

Paul George gives his thoughts on why the Philadelphia 76ers are struggling after a loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

A season full of championship hopes in Philadelphia has turned into a debacle for the 76ers, and the latest blight came Saturday in a defeat to Brooklyn, their seventh straight loss, and one that saw two-time NBA scoring champion Joe Embiid get benched.

Philadelphia is tied with Brooklyn for the sixth-worst record in the league. Philly owes its first-round pick to OKC, top six protected.

D'Angelo Russell had 22 points, five rebounds and four assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers in the teams' last game before the All-Star break.

In the loss to the Nets, Embiid was benched for the final quarter. According to Steve Gardner on USA Today, Nick Nurse said: "That group was just playing so well together and had good feel for the game at that point, and just wanted to let them roll with it."

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse was hopeful Justin Edwards could return to the team’s lineup for their Monday night matchup against the Chic