Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images The Spurs and Sixers face off as injury meets malfeasance One winter afternoon, many years ago, I backed into a pole. On my way to work at the hellish confines of a local outlet mall, I lucked into an excellent parking space. Normally, due to the popularity of said mall, I had to park a long way away from my workplace. Having been at it for several months, I no longer looked for closer parking. However, on this occasion, I had been running late, so in a harebrained attempt to reduce that deficit I drove to the front of the lot. Lo and behold, off in the narrow, almost hidden, front corner of the lot, I saw a vacant space. I immediately whipped into it, noting mentally that the way the curb curled back around the edge of the space made it a tricky fit. Only a compact car really could have fit there comfortably. Making it even trickier was the cylindrical concrete base of what had once been a light pole located at the edge of the jutting curb, which forced anyone entering the space to do so from an angle. It was only a slight angle, but if you tried to pull in without doing so, you’d almost certainly make contact with the concrete base. Hours later, in the early dark of winter, I slumped into my seat, dead on my feet. Christmas, I’m afraid, does not bring out the best in human beings, and I was ready to get the heck out of dodge. So ready, that in my weary state, I forgot completely about the remains of the former light pole (which sat just low enough not to be visible in the rear-view mirror), and threw my car into reverse to the symphony of a sickening crunch. And so my newly purchased car sustained its first disfigurement. The tail-light was easily replaced. The partially crushed bumper, however, remained in its lesser state for the lifespan of the vehicle. How could I have been so stupid? So unlucky? So thoughtless? I swore endlessly as I reversed my car more carefully, avoiding yet another tilt with the concrete barrier. I continued to kick myself mentally as I pulled into a much more open (and better lit) section of the lot further down the row to more fully assess the damage. No sooner had I started taking pictures of the ruinous rear end than I heard repeated honking from the nearby highway entrance. A hulking, black Ford F-450 squealed into the lot above recommended speeds, and spotting the close, open space in a packed holiday lot, made a beeline straight for it. The thing about concrete is that it really blends well into a background of concrete. Especially in the dark. And especially at higher speeds. I could almost hear Carl Orff’s O Fortuna section of Carmina Burana playing in my head as the truck sprinted towards the empty space. At that distance, there was nothing to do but watch. I saw the tail lights blush a sudden red — heard the squealing of the oversized vehicle braking in vain — and then impact. It wasn’t too terrible. In all reality, the truck was probably only going 10 mph by the time it hit the pole base. Based on the sound, though, the front left corner was going to need some serious work, and the airbags had probably activated. I lingered for a few minutes to see the occupants get out, as bystanders ran over to check on them. Everyone seemed okay. Then I got in my blemished ride and made my way out of the lot, smiling a bemused smile. “Accidents can happen to anyone”, I thought to myself. “But there’s nothing like someone else’s misfortune to make you feel better about yours.” And that is, in essence, my preview for tonight’s game. As hobbled as the Spurs are, with their best two players riding pine for the rest of the season, it’s not exactly a mess of their making. Bad things have happened to them. The Sixers, on the other hand, are currently being forced to lay down on a festering bed of their own making. Having signed both Joel Embiid and Paul George to ill-advised max contracts, the season has gone just about the opposite of the way fans and the front office hoped it would. Throw in a season-ending injury to promising rookie (and my draft favorite) Jared McCain, and the Sixers’ season is all but over. As a result, they appear to have decided to throw in the towel and fully tank, attempting to protect their draft position by placing every decently contributing player on their roster on the upcoming injury report. Spurs fans won’t even get to enjoy the homecoming of fan-favorite Lonnie Walker as he appears to be destined for street clothes as well. To that end, I hope the Spurs beat the snot out of whoever does take the court for Philadelphia, supposing they have enough players for a starting five. In full disclosure I must admit an almost lifelong animosity for Philadelphia sports teams (and fans) after witnessing them cheer Michael Irvin’s career-ending back injury, so to witness their downfall is always a delight (No, I’m not a Cowboys fan either, thank goodness). To that end, I hope the Spurs beat the snot out of whoever does take the court for Philadelphia, supposing they have enough players for a starting five. Coming on the exuberant heels of a highly enjoyable victory over the Kicks, I hope Mamu goes for fifty points tonight. This cowardice will not stand! Pistols at dawn...er, 7pm! Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs March 21st, 2025 | 7:00 CT Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southwest/NBA TV | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM) Spurs Injuries: Victor Wembanyama - Out (Slumbering Beast), DeAaron Fox - Out (Hand), Charles Bassey - Out (Knee) Sixers Injuries: Adem Bona - Out (Ankle), Andre Drummond - Out (Toe), Kyle Lowry - Out (Hip), Kelly Oubre Jr. - Out (Knee), Lonnie Walker IV - Out (Concussion), Tyrese Maxey - Out (Back), Paul George (Knee), Joel Embiid - Out (Carbonite), Eric Gordon - Out (Wrist), Jared McCain - Out (Knee) For the Sixers’ fan’s perspective, please visit Liberty Ballers. PtR’s Game thread will be up this evening for those who want to chat through the game. You can also follow along with the action through PtR’s Twitter feed. ...read more read less