The Philadelphia 76ers' recent 101-123 loss to the Boston Celtics has sparked a tough conversation about their championship viability. Former NBA guard Jeff Teague pinpointed a major flaw, stating the team lacks the pure shooting needed to compete with the league's elite.
Jeff Teague was blunt in his assessment after watching the Celtics game. He argued the 76ers' roster doesn't have enough reliable perimeter threats. "I don’t think Philly’ shooting the ball good enough to compete with some of the other elite clubs," Teague said. He identified Tyrese Maxey as the team's only consistent, high-level shooter. "Tyrese Maxey is the only pure shooter that they got. JB? They’re superstars; they can make shots." His comments highlight a potential ceiling for a team with championship aspirations.
The numbers back up Teague's concerns. Despite every starter averaging at least 12.0 points per game, the team's offensive rating sits in the league's bottom ten. Maxey and Anfernee Simons are the only Philadelphia players consistently hitting two or more three-pointers per contest. Stars like Joel Embiid and LeBron James have struggled from deep, shooting below 24.0 percent from beyond the arc this season. This inconsistency was on full display against Boston, where Paul George alone made more than half as many threes as the entire 76ers squad.
The loss to Boston on November 10, 2026, cost Philadelphia the top seed in the Eastern Conference. It was a jarring result in an otherwise solid stretch. Their recent form shows three wins and two losses in their last five games. That run includes a 127-121 victory over the Chicago Bulls on November 8 and a tough 119-95 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers two days prior. You can review the full schedule on our schedule page. The team now sits second in the conference, a position they'll look to solidify quickly.
The immediate focus shifts to a quick turnaround at home. The 76ers host the Toronto Raptors on November 12, 2026. It's a prime opportunity to address the shooting woes and get back on track. Beating divisional opponents is essential for maintaining playoff positioning. Coach Nick Nurse will need to find solutions to create more open looks for his role players. If the supporting cast can't start hitting shots, the burden on Maxey, Embiid, and James will only grow heavier as the season progresses. This game against Toronto is more than just another fixture; it's a test of their ability to adapt and improve a clear weakness.
