76ers Brace for Cavs' Harden-Mitchell Backcourt

Sixers face tough task without key players against Cleveland's dynamic duo

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Philadelphia 76ers will be shorthanded when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, as they will be missing several key players including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George. This will make the challenge of facing the Cavs' dynamic backcourt of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell even tougher for the Sixers, who are currently the No. 8 seed in the East and fighting to avoid the play-in tournament.

Why it matters

The 76ers are in a precarious position, having fallen to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. A loss to the Cavaliers, who boast one of the most formidable backcourts in the NBA, could further jeopardize their playoff positioning. The Sixers will need to find a way to slow down Harden and Mitchell without their full complement of stars.

The details

In 10 games with the Cavaliers, Harden is averaging 19.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 44.6% from deep. Mitchell, in his first game back from a hamstring injury, scored 30 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in a loss to the Boston Celtics. The Sixers will have their hands full trying to contain this dynamic duo.

  • The 76ers and Cavaliers tip off at 7 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 9, 2026.
  • Mitchell returned to action on Sunday, March 8, 2026 after missing four games with a hamstring issue.

The players

James Harden

A 10-time NBA All-Star and one of the best playmakers in the league, Harden has been a key addition for the Cavaliers this season.

Donovan Mitchell

A dynamic scoring guard, Mitchell has teamed up with Harden to form one of the most formidable backcourts in the NBA.

Joel Embiid

The 76ers' star center and MVP candidate, Embiid will miss the game against the Cavaliers due to injury.

Tyrese Maxey

The 76ers' young and talented point guard, Maxey will also be out for the matchup with the Cavaliers.

Paul George

The veteran forward is another key player the 76ers will be missing against the Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“It's a big-time responsibility. They're great players. It's a team effort. We all just gotta do the game plan or whatever coach has got for us, and make sure we work together on the defensive end.”

— Cam Payne

What’s next

The 76ers will need to regroup and find a way to slow down the Cavaliers' backcourt without their full complement of stars. A loss could further jeopardize their playoff positioning, making their upcoming games even more crucial.

The takeaway

The 76ers' matchup with the Cavaliers highlights the challenges of facing one of the NBA's most dynamic backcourts, especially when dealing with key injuries. The Sixers will need to rely on their team defense and coaching adjustments to have a chance at pulling off the upset.