Chapter 386: The Moment of Truth.
After securing back-to-back victories in Cleveland, the Cavaliers and 76ers were set to shift the series to Philadelphia for the next two games.
76ers head coach Brett Brown wasted no time—immediately after Game 2, he had the team board a late-night flight back home.
His message was clear: No time to dwell. No time to sulk.
First thing in the morning, they were back in the gym.
Down 0-2, the Sixers were like wounded prey, cornered by a relentless hunter. There was no time to lick their wounds—if they didn't fight back now, they wouldn't get the chance later.
But something was off.
The energy was dead.
The players went through the drills, but their focus was elsewhere. Their bodies were in the gym, but their minds were still stuck in Cleveland, replaying those two humiliating losses.
Halfway through practice, Jimmy Butler had enough.
Frustrated, he stormed off the court and dropped onto the sideline, arms crossed, fuming.
Joel Embiid might've been the Sixers' best player.