Kendrick Perkins believes the Philadelphia 76ers are capable of reaching the 2027 NBA Finals, pointing to their comeback wins and four players he considers reliable late-game options.
Speaking on the Road Trippin’ Show, Perkins said Philadelphia has shown an ability to recover from significant deficits during its 4-1 start to the 2026-27 season. He highlighted the team’s ability to raise its level on both ends of the floor after falling behind by as many as 25 points.
“The 76ers are going to the NBA finals. They have something that no other team in the NBA has. They got 4 go to guys who can go close out a game,” the former player said.
Perkins also identified the 76ers’ number of potential closers as a major strength. He argued that having four players capable of taking responsibility in possession-by-possession situations during the fourth quarter gives Philadelphia multiple options in tight games and playoff series.
The 76ers’ early-season production supports the depth of their scoring options. Tyrese Maxey leads the team with 28.4 points per game, while Joel Embiid averages 21.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in four appearances.
Jaylen Brown is contributing 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, while LeBron James is averaging 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists.
Maxey, Embiid, Brown and James combine to average 86.0 points per game, accounting for 77.6% of Philadelphia’s team scoring average of 110.8 points.
Maxey has also recorded 4.6 assists per game, while Embiid averages 4.8. Brown and James add 4.2 and 6.8 assists, respectively, giving Philadelphia four players combining scoring and playmaking responsibilities.
Philadelphia’s 4-1 record represents an early-season sample, but Perkins has already backed the 76ers to reach the Finals based on their comeback ability and late-game personnel.
