Is there anything more painful for a Sixers fan than watching a 25-year-old Philadelphia native and Villanova product, who was originally draft by the 76ers, dominant in the playoffs for another team?
Well, that's exactly what is happening.
Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges exploded for a playoff career-high and game-high 31 points in Tuesday's pivotal Game 5 win for the Suns over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Bridges, with Suns star Devin Booker out with an injury, played a game-high 47 minutes, racking up 31 points (12-17 FG, 4-4 3FG, 3-3 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks.
Sixers fans took their pain to Twitter.
Bridges' mom, as pointed out by @digitalgr8nes1, even worked for the Sixers, but Philadelphia chose to draft and trade Bridges on draft night for Zhaire Smith and a 2021 first-round pick.
Bridges has blossomed into one of the NBA's top ascending wing players for one of the best teams in the league, averaging 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.4 blocks while shooting 53.4 FG% / 36.9 3P% / 83.4 FT% during the 2021-22 season.
Meanwhile, the Sixers lack both perimeter defense and three-point shooting. They have lost two straight games after taking a 3-0 series lead in their quarterfinals series against the Raptors, which resumes on Thursday in Toronto.