George’s minutes restriction, which Nurse said was an issue in achieving continuity on the offensive end, could resolve some of the complications. Sticking points like rebounding and spacing are at obvious deficits through the absence of an all-star center.

Whenever it feels like the Sixers have reached rock bottom, they find a new low. On Friday night in Los Angeles, they sunk to 1-7, pitting them with the worst record in the entire NBA (tied with the Utah Jazz).