Sixers Set NBA Record for Most Unique Starting Lineups in a Season

NEW YORK — The Philadelphia 76ers set a new NBA record for the most unique starting lineups in a season Tuesday night, using their 52nd different starting five in a game against the New York Knicks.

The record-breaking starting unit included Quentin Grimes, Lonnie Walker IV, Ricky Council IV, Justin Edwards, and Adem Bona. This unprecedented lineup surpassed the previous record held by the 2023-24 Memphis Grizzlies, which used 51 different starting units.

Head coach Nick Nurse lamented the challenges his squad faced throughout the season, as injuries plagued key players. “This is not the record we aimed to break,” he said. “It’s been a challenging year.”

The Sixers, currently struggling with a 23-53 record, experienced a range of injuries that have hindered their performance. Joel Embiid and Paul George, the team’s highest-paid players, both missed significant time with injuries, combining to play only 60 games this season.

“It started before the season even began,” Nurse noted. “We’ve had players unable to stay healthy, which has led to a lack of stability in the lineup.”

Guerschon Yabusele was one of the few consistent performers, appearing in the first 39 games. However, even he has faced complications due to knee issues. Kelly Oubre Jr. was previously the most reliable player on the roster until a recent knee sprain sidelined him.

The injury list for the Sixers has ballooned throughout the season, with Tyrese Maxey missing games due to a finger sprain and Andre Drummond unable to find consistent playing time after suffering a toe sprain. Additionally, Jared McCain faced a season-ending torn meniscus injury that altered the trajectory of his promising rookie season.

The Sixers’ woes continued with season-ending injuries to Eric Gordon and the struggles of Kyle Lowry, who recently made a return after a long absence due to a hip injury. Nurse expressed hope that Lowry could contribute again but acknowledged the limitations imposed by the earlier injury setbacks.

“Our situation this year has forced us to feature talent we simply wouldn’t have used otherwise,” Nurse said. “Each night, we have a new lineup, and that has made it difficult to establish any rhythm.”

The night culminated in a disappointing 105-91 defeat to the Knicks, marking the Sixers’ ninth straight loss, further highlighting their troubles this season. Grimes led the way for the Knicks with 26 points. Meanwhile, the Sixers could only manage 16 points in the second quarter.

The loss has reinforced the reality of the Sixers’ season and the record they have set. The franchise, which aimed for a competitive playoff push, is now faced with the ramifications of its unprecedented turnover in the starting lineup.

As the season enters its final weeks, the Sixers will look to regain some semblance of success when they return home to face the Milwaukee Bucks.