PHILADELPHIA — Third quarters have been bad for the Philadelphia 76ers this season.

Like monstrously bad. Like 2024-25 bad.

That was the blight on Sunday’s 111-108 loss to the Detroit Pistons. And it’s been the blip on a 6-4 start that, given three back-to-backs and still-resolving injuries, has generally been pretty good.

Coach Nick Nurse hasn’t identified a specific throughline in the third-quarter ailments. Sunday’s was a 34-21 deficit that erased a 10-point halftime lead. The 76ers weathered the Pistons’ first wave, Detroit getting within 68-66 before the Sixers ballooned the lead back out to a game-high 13 at 79-66.

But behind Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham, the Pistons headed to the fourth with an 88-85 lead.

“I think it’s just basketball,” Nurse said. “I think if you’re watchi

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