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Author: Keith Pompey

  • Sixers need to hang on to Kelly Oubre Jr. — at least through the end of the season

    Sixers need to hang on to Kelly Oubre Jr. — at least through the end of the season

    People are asking: How long will Kelly Oubre Jr. remain in a 76ers uniform?

    If the Sixers are wise, the answer is at least through the end of the season.

    The 30-year-old swingman’s contract expires at the end of June. However, his name has been repeatedly mentioned in recent trade reports. And that could continue ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline as teams look to upgrade rosters and slash salaries.

    But at this point, the Sixers will be hard-pressed to find someone able to do what Oubre provides.

    The squad is starting to show glimpses of why it has received Eastern Conference championship-contender hype. And Oubre’s ability to adjust to his ever-changing role is a reason for that.

    The Sixers are still struggling with inconsistency at the NBA’s halfway mark. How will they address it?

    The Sixers dropped to 24-20 after Saturday afternoon’s 112-109 loss to the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Before that tilt, they defeated the Houston Rockets, 128-122, in overtime Thursday night at home. Oubre played a significant role in the victory, finishing with 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting along with four rebounds, three assists, and one block while starting alongside Paul George, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey.

    It was the first time the Sixers employed that starting lineup.

    Coach Nick Nurse said before Sunday’s game that they would stay with it for a while. And had another solid performance, finishing with 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

    His remaining as a starter is understandable, given that it was a lineup they were expected to unveil at the beginning of the season. But George missed the first 12 games with left knee injury management. Then Oubre was sidelined 22 games from Nov. 17 to Jan. 5. While those two were injured, power forward Dominick Barlow proved to be a solid fifth starter.

    But Oubre is a more experienced, more versatile player, and has been noted several times before as the team’s X factor. His ability to play shooting guard, small forward, and small-ball power forward gives the Sixers a variety of rotation options.

    Sixers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. has been noted several times before as the team’s X factor.

    While he starts at small forward, Oubre moves to shooting guard in a lineup that features George, Barlow, Embiid, and Maxey when Edgecombe is out of the game. And in his first game back from a sprained left knee ligament on Jan. 7, he played power forward in a small-ball lineup with Maxey, Quentin Grimes, Jared McCain, and Adem Bona.

    “He plays both ends, right?” Nurse said of his impact as a versatile player. “I think that’s the main thing. He’s been pretty effective on both ends, and the other probably main thing is he’s in about his 10th year. He’s got a lot of stuff under his belt. A lot of minutes. A lot of games, too. That helps, too. ”

    All-Star cornerstones, Embiid, Maxey, and George, along with rookie-of-the-year candidate Edgecombe, have deservedly received a lot of credit for the team’s being viewed as a contender.

    Embiid had scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games. While the 7-2 center is not where he once was defensively, he’s showing glimpses of being a 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star. Embiid is averaging 33.3 points, 10 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 58.3% on three-pointers in those games.

    Meanwhile, Maxey, who was named an All-Star starter on Monday, is averaging a league-third-best 29.9 points, a second-best 2.1 steals, and 12th-best 6.8 rebounds this season. He was also fourth (147) in made three-pointers.

    Sixers mailbag: Will Joel Embiid make the All-Star Game? Will Jared McCain be here after the trade deadline?

    George’s average of 15.4 points is below his career average of 20.5 points. But the nine-time All-Star has thrived at times as a facilitator and an elite defender. And it’s not uncommon for him to provide the bulk of the scoring during third-quarter stretches.

    Edgecombe is averaging 15.6 points, a league 11th-best 1.5 steals, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. The 20-year-old shooting guard’s elite potential was on full display in the Sixers’ season-opening victory over the Boston Celtics.

    That night, he scored 34 points to help lead the Sixers to victory. It was the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history behind Chamberlain’s 43 points on Oct. 24, 1959, and Frank Selvy’s 35 on Nov. 30, 1954.

    Concurrently, Oubre averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and shot 38.3% on three-pointers while continuously adjusting his role depending on who was playing or who the Sixers were playing against. The one constant thing is his defending the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

    Championship-caliber teams are built with players like Kelly Oubre Jr.

    Nurse was asked before Saturday’s game where he thinks Oubre has improved the most as a defender.

    “Listen, I think there are a couple of things, but probably at the top would be just his overall reading of situations,” Nurse said. “Just having a feel for anticipating what might happen next and getting involved in that and breaking that up. But he’s also been much better on the ball. He’s been much better in screen-and-roll. Stuff like that.”

    The New Orleans native has starred in all of his roles in addition to doing countless other things that go unnoticed on a stat sheet.

    As good as Embiid, George, Maxey, and Edgecombe are, championship-caliber teams are built with players like Oubre.

    The only benefit of trading him at this time is perhaps shedding his salary. Oubre’s expiring $8.3 million contract would help them gain salary cap relief and avoid the luxury tax. The squad is currently more than $7 million over the luxury-tax threshold. That’s why his name has been mentioned in reports.

    Don’t look now but the Sixers have turned a dire situation into a hopeful one behind their new Big Four

    But, night now, they can’t afford to let him go if contending for a title this season is truly the goal.

    The number of realistic available better options is slim. Even if they find a player as good, it will take the new person a while to adjust to the Sixers’ system. And Oubre’s ability to adapt is a primary reason why the team is starting to live up to expectations.

    With Embiid’s extension kicking in next season and Grimes becoming an unrestricted free agent, it may make sense for Oubre and the Sixers to part ways after the season.

    The way he’s been playing this season and elevated his stock during his Sixers’ three-year tenure, Oubre could become too costly to re-sign.

    It may make sense for the sides to part ways after the season.

    You can’t trade that away at this time.

  • Source: Former Sixers second-round pick Charles Bassey to rejoin team on a 10-day contract

    Source: Former Sixers second-round pick Charles Bassey to rejoin team on a 10-day contract

    The 76ers are signing Charles Bassey to a 10-day contract, according to multiple sources.

    The Sixers originally selected the 6-foot-11 center with the 53rd pick in the 2021 draft out of Western Kentucky. He played one season with the organization before signing with the San Antonio Spurs.

    The 25-year-old was preparing to play for the Golden State Warriors’ NBA G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, when the deal to return to the Sixers was agreed upon. But after agreeing to the deal, Bassey was scratched from the game.

    The Sixers are trying to figure out a way to fly him to Charlotte to join the team in time for Monday’s game against the Hornets, according to sources.

    That may be a problem due to the weather.

    What’s next for Charles Bassey? Charting the recently released Sixers center’s NBA journey and tenuous future

    But Bassey is scheduled to sign his contract on Monday, even if he has to do it via an electronic signature.

    Dominick and Jabari Walker, who are on two-way contracts, won’t be able to play against the Hornets on Monday unless Bassey signs his contract. That’s because the Sixers ran out of available games for players on two-way deals, since they have fewer than 15 players signed to standard NBA contracts. Bassey’s signing will bring the number up to 15.

    San Antonio Spurs’ Charles Bassey (28) tangles with Memphis Grizzlies’ Luke Kennard (10) and Santi Aldama, second from front right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

    In his previous Sixers’ stint, Bassey appeared in 23 NBA games as a rookie, averaging 3.0 points on 63.6% shooting along with 2.7 rebounds, 0.7 block, and 7.3 minutes.

    He played beyond those numbers when called upon in clutch situations. Teammates and coaches were impressed by his attention to detail, high basketball IQ and ability to protect the rim. However, he became expendable when the Sixers added reserve center Montrezl Harrell to the roster in September 2022.

    Sixers takeaways: Joel Embiid dominates, third-quarter woes return, and more in loss to Knicks

    As a result, the Nigerian player was waived on Oct. 13, 2022. Eleven days later, he signed a two-way deal with the San Antonio Spurs, which was converted to a standard contract on Feb. 14, 2023.

    He averaged 4.7 points and 4.7 rebounds during his three-season stint with the Spurs. Bassey had an Exhibit 10 deal with the Atlanta Hawks last season and signed a two-day deal with the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 27.

    Bassey has averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in a combined 115 NBA games with the Sixers, Spurs, and Grizzlies.

    He is averaging 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks with Santa Cruz.

  • Sixers takeaways: Joel Embiid dominates, third-quarter woes return, and more in loss to Knicks

    Sixers takeaways: Joel Embiid dominates, third-quarter woes return, and more in loss to Knicks

    Joel Embiid is back to playing at an All-NBA level.

    Yet, the 76ers are still dealing with third-quarter blues.

    And they made a decision that will affect Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker, who were in jeopardy of playing their games as two-way players.endnu

    These things stood out in Saturday’s 112-109 loss to the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Back to dominating

    Embiid, a three-time All-Defensive performer, still doesn’t protect the rim the way the 7-foot-2 center did before undergoing two left-knee surgeries in a 14-month span. (First surgery was for a torn meniscus in February 2024. Then he had arthroscopic surgery on the knee in April.)

    But you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone with a better offensive stretch than the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player.

    Embiid finished with 38 points on 13-for-21 shooting – including making 3 of 5 three-pointers – along with 11 rebounds and five assists in his fourth consecutive game with at least 30 points.

    On Saturday, 28 of his points came in the first half on 10-for-12 shooting. Embiid acknowledged it was the best groove he felt offensively this season.

    “I felt pretty good, just attacking, doing whatever I wanted,” he said.

    The seven-time All-Star has averaged 31.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 57.1 % on three-pointers in his previous three games.

    Embiid was asked if there was a carryover from his logging 45 minutes, 36 seconds while finishing with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in Thursday’s 128-122 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets.

    “I feel great,” Embiid said. “Nah, I was tired. Early game, too. Yeah, I was tired. But … just got to keep pushing.”

    More third-quarter blues

    After Embiid dominated the first half, the Sixers took a 64-60 lead into intermission.

    But the Knicks went on a 24-5 run early in the third quarter to build an 86-72 cushion. That was partly due to the Sixers missing 10 of their first 12 shots of the quarter.

    He would shoot 4-for-17 (23.5%) and commit five costly turnovers in the quarter, as the Knicks took a 90-77 lead into the fourth. Embiid was held scoreless in the quarter while shooting 0-for-3.

    The Knicks would extend their lead to 17 points early in the fourth quarter.

    Tyrese Maxey (right) challenges for a loose ball against Knicks guard Mikal Bridges in Saturday’s loss.

    Mounting a comeback, the Sixers pulled within two points on VJ Edgecombe’s three-pointer with 1 minute, 34 seconds remaining.

    The Knicks stepped up their intensity after intermission. They also benefited from their dominance of the boards. For the game, New York outrebounded the Sixers, 53 to 38, and had a 26 to 4 advantage in second-chance points. Knicks 6-5 forward and former Villanova standout Josh Hart finished with a game-high 13 rebounds to go with 10 points.

    Reserve center Andre Drummond didn’t play despite being one of the league’s best rebounders. He’s averaging a team-leading 9.0 rebounds while playing just 20 minutes per game. The 6-11, 280-pounder finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds in his lone game against the Knicks this season.

    Did Nick Nurse ever consider inserting Drummond because of the rebounding disparity?

    “Not really tonight,” he said. “I mean, I think both him and Jabari are probably two quality rebounders for us. The only thing we did think about was trying the big lineup [with Embiid and reserve center Adem Bona]. They weren’t very big much tonight. Nor were they five, four much tonight either. But we did think about that.”

    With the Sixers down three points, Tyrese Maxey (22 points, six assists) appeared to be fouled before misfiring on a 27-foot, three-point attempt with 5.8 seconds left.

    “I should’ve just took the one dribble and shot it right,” Maxey said of forcing the shot.

    And Embiid appeared to be fouled before turning the ball over in the final second as the Sixers dropped to 24-20 on the season.

    Sixers center Adem Bona blocks New York Knicks guard Miles McBride’s second-quarter dunk attempt on Saturday.

    Out of time?

    The Sixers have agreed to sign Charles Bassey to a 10-day contract.

    Before that, Saturday was believed to be the last game in which Walker and Barlow could be active without the team needing to make a roster move. That’s because the team ran out of available games for playing on two-way contracts, since it has fewer than 15 players on standard NBA contracts.

    But they’ll temporarily have 15 players on the roster, with Bassey’s addition.

    Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. is showing why he should be a keeper at the NBA trade deadline

    On Saturday, Barlow was the sixth man for the second consecutive game after starting at power forward. Meanwhile, Walker received a did not play coach’s decision for the second straight game. He was the backup power forward before Barlow was demoted.

    But the Sixers had to decide if they wanted to sign Barlow or Walker to a standard deal to avoid this restriction. Another option would have been to sign a player to a 10-day contract. And the Sixers could have sat both of them. But Barlow still has a vital role with the team, while Walker can still contribute when needed.

    New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby passes the basketball from the floor past Sixers forward Dominick Barlow (right) and guard VJ Edgecombe during the second quarter on Saturday.

    “I’d like to find a way to get him his five, six, eight-minute stints that he’s been providing as well,” coach Nick Nurse said of Barlow before the game. “So, there’s always room to be looking at stuff, and hopefully — I think I said this a few weeks ago — we gotta figure out kinda how things shape out. Role-wise, within the starters, within the bench guys. We’re still trying to develop some of that stuff because it’s been very few games.”

    With an impending storm coming to the region, the Sixers were set to travel to Charlotte following the game instead of Sunday. They’ll practice at the Spectrum Center on Sunday before facing the Hornets there on Monday. Bassey will sign his 10-day contract before Monday’s game.

    Shortly after the game, Barlow was asked whether he and Walker had received any indication from the team that he would remain with the Sixers.

    Follow the Inquirer’s complete coverage of Sixers basketball right here!

    “I mean, I don’t really ask those types of questions,” he said. “I would like to think so, but that’s for my agent and Daryl. They can all handle that kind of stuff. My goal is to be a great basketball player today, and then be a great basketball player tomorrow. And if anything happens in the future, see what happens. I try not to ask too many questions about that kind of stuff.

    “I’ve been in this situation before. It doesn’t really do anything for you, besides just make you think. I’ve kind of just been enjoying the day.

    Barlow’s previous two-way deals with the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks were converted to standard deals.

  • Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. is showing why he should be a keeper at the NBA trade deadline

    Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. is showing why he should be a keeper at the NBA trade deadline

    Kelly Oubre Jr. looks like someone the 76ers might want to hang onto.

    Oubre always said it was just a matter of getting back into basketball shape. And based on his recent performances, the 6-foot-8 small forward is now well-conditioned.

    He had 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting — including 4 of 5 from three-point range — to go with four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a block in Thursday’s 128-122 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Sixers takeaways: Surviving a blown call, grabbing a much-needed home win over Rockets and more

    Draining three-pointers and providing his trademark high energy, the 30-year-old looked like he deserved to remain in the starting lineup. More than that, Oubre looked like a key piece the Sixers need to retain beyond the trade deadline.

    He’s an asset to the Sixers because he can play shooting guard, small forward, and small-ball power forward. However, his name keeps coming up as someone the Sixers could possibly move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline because his expiring $8.3 million contract would help them gain salary cap relief and avoid the luxury tax. The squad is currently more than $7 million over the luxury-tax threshold.

    The Sixers could also get salary cap relief by moving the expiring contracts of Andre Drummond ($5.0 million) and Eric Gordon ($3.6 million with a dead cap hit of $2.2 million). Letting Drummond and Gordon go would be viewed as a softer blow than trading Oubre.

    Sixers guard Kelly Oubre Jr., blocks Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason’s first quarter three-point shot attempt on Thursday night.

    Oubre’s value stretches all over the floor. He had a sequence in the second half where he knocked the ball out of bounds twice while providing solid defense on Houston’s 6-foot-11 center Alperen Şengün. Those plays not only motivated his teammates but also electrified the sellout crowd of 19,746.

    “Obviously, that’s a huge center posting you up, you have to do something to disrupt the rhythm of that and not make it easy,” Oubre said. “And I think that over there they thought it was going to be an easy post up, post me up, whatever. I just tried to be disruptive.

    “Obviously, it sucks [for the Rockets] because they were all looking depleted every time they tried to throw it in, and it wasn’t complete. But it was just about me trying my best to stop him from getting the momentum to go score, because once he gets me under the basket. I’m done, right?”

    Kelly Oubre Jr. has had a quality season when healthy but continues to be the subject of trade rumors ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.

    Oubre recently scored 21 points on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns and 18 points on Monday against the Indiana Pacers, rounding out his three best games since missing 22 games with a sprained left knee ligament. After making 4 of 5 three-pointers on Thursday, he’s shooting 11-for-18 from deep in his last three games.

    “You just put the work in, man, and you have to trust it,” Oubre said of his shot. “That’s all it is. It’s just being confident in those positions and having faith that your shot will go in and you follow the right discipline.”

    Oubre started his third consecutive game, and was in the opening group for the fourth time in the nine games since his return. The first three starts came as Paul George was sidelined due to left knee injury management. But on this night, Oubre started alongside George, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey.

    Nick Nurse said starting Oubre over Dominick Barlow was based on performance.

    “I think Barlow has played outstanding and played outstanding again tonight,” Nurse said. “But Kelly obviously has been a pretty big spark plug, getting to the rim and just guarding. Just guarding really good, tough matchup every night as well. So I went that way. He’s pretty experienced as well.”

    Sixers consider starting Quentin Grimes; VJ Edgecombe embracing rigors of NBA season

    Maxey led the Sixers with 36 points, 10 assists, and four steals. Meanwhile, Embiid added 32 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and two blocks for his ninth career triple-double. Oubre has mastered playing off the two standouts by slashing to the basket and hitting opportunistic shots.

    For Oubre, it’s more than just getting the ball — it’s about moving bodies around.

    “I’ve always been a slasher,” he said. “Having a guy who creates as much energy around him as Joel, if my man goes to double or somebody is not looking or they’re not worried about the weak side, then that’s just a free lane to just cut into the paint and potentially give him an easy assist, or free somebody else up for a jumper.”

  • Sixers takeaways: Surviving a blown call, grabbing a much-needed home win over Rockets and more

    Sixers takeaways: Surviving a blown call, grabbing a much-needed home win over Rockets and more

    The 76ers were fortunate that a blown goaltending call didn’t doom them.

    In response, the Sixers (24-19) showed they can win a meaningful game at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    And they did that despite, once again, surrendering a high-scoring performance to an opposing player.

    All those things stood out in Thursday’s 128-122 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets.

    Missed call

    Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 36 points, 10 assists, and four steals. Joel Embiid added 32 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and two blocks for his ninth career triple-double. And Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting — including 4 of 5 from three-point range — to go with four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a block in a hard-fought victory.

    But with the score tied at 115 with three seconds remaining in regulation, Maxey’s layup attempt bounced off the backboard and in the direction of the rim. That’s when Houston Rockets small forward swatted the ball away for an obvious goaltending.

    Luckily for the Sixers, the game went to overtime, and they pulled out a six-point victory.

    ‘Drumming saved my life’

    But …

    “That was bad,” Paul George said. “It was a double goaltend. Yeah, that was bad. Luckily, basketball gods were on our side to win the game tonight. But yeah, that was a bad no-call.”

    Nick Nurse said he doesn’t always have the greatest view. But on this night, the no-call occurred in front of the Sixers’ bench.

    “And I think Tyrese almost, on purpose, tried to get it to the backboard extra quick,” Nurse said. “Like he almost threw it into the backboard real quick. I mean, listen, they are supposed to call those if there’s any chance at all there’s a goaltend, because they can review it. They can’t review it if they don’t call it. So they can get it right.

    “I’ve actually been in games with those guys that they’ve called them more than two or three times. You get it when they call it. But they didn’t. I guess they just thought it was too far under, or they didn’t see it. So they didn’t call it.”

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey attempts a lay up late that was goaltended and became a controversial no-call.

    Maxey responded “nope” when asked if the official gave him an explanation on the no-call.

    So what was his reaction?

    “Just get to overtime and try to win it there. That’s it,” he said. “I just was surprised. I kind of like laid it on the backboard. But it happens, man. We’re all humans.”

    Maxey scored six of his points and tallied two of his steals in the extra session, leading the Sixers to victory.

    Kelly Oubre Jr. said it was hard to let that blown call go in order to focus on overtime.

    “But that’s why you have a 15-man roster,” he said. “Everybody kind of collectively [kept the team focused]. But it started with Kyle [Lowry]. You know in his prime, he was the biggest complainer of them all, right? But when you have a guy who accomplished so much and is who’s so just witty and smart, and he knows the game. He just rallied us all and told us just to forget about it. We got five more minutes to go in the basketball game.”

    Much-needed home victory

    The Sixers’ home arena has been far from a safe haven. Heading into Thursday, they had lost five of their last seven home games and were 11-12 at this building. The fifth-place squad and 10th-place Atlanta Hawks (7-13) are the Eastern Conference’s only top 10 teams without winning home records.

    Jabari Walker was asked following Thursday’s shootaround if there was a sense within the Sixers’ locker room that they need to start winning some of their home games.

    Yes, Philly is most definitely a basketball city. Dating all the way back to 1898.

    “That’s always been like that,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any extra pressure, recently. That’s always been the standard. … We are just going to continue to rely on the attitude that we’ve had. And I think we will bounce back.”

    And they did just that with a victory over one of the league’s best teams.

    “That was huge,” Nurse said. “We needed a good home win. We needed … to beat somebody really good. We needed a good, tough close-game win. Hopefully, we can get some momentum off of it.

    “We certainly need to play better at home.”

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey scored 36 poins to lead his team in scoring.

    The Sixers will conclude their current six-game homestand at 3 p.m. Saturday against the New York Knicks. After facing the Charlotte Hornets on Monday in North Carolina, they’ll return to Philly for another three-game homestand.

    They’ll host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday in the second game of a back-to-back before entertaining the Sacramento Kings (Jan. 29) and New Orleans Pelicans (Jan. 31).

    The Sixers must find a way to keep racking up wins at home, where they are supposed to have an advantage. They blew golden opportunities to take advantage of home-court advantage in recent losses to the Cavs on Jan. 14 and 16, and to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

    Unfortunately for them, those losses weren’t surprising after losing home games to the tanking Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 23 and the depleted Denver Nuggets on Jan. 5. The Nuggets were without their entire starting lineup and eight players total.

    Right now, the Sixers are better on the road, where they’re 12-7. While the road record is impressive, they need to play much better at home. And as Nurse said, beating the Rockets was a good starting point.

    Another player torches Sixers

    We shouldn’t be surprised that Durant torched the Sixers for 36 points.

    The 6-foot-11, 240-pound forward is the 2014 MVP, a four-time scoring champion, an 11-time All-NBA selection, and a 15-time All-Star. He came into Tuesday’s game with a career scoring average of 27.2 points. And scored at least 30 points in 14 games played.

    To add to that, the Sixers have had a knack for allowing high-scoring performances from opposing players. So Durant’s performance was just part of a trend.

    Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant scored 32 points against the Sixers, becoming the latest star to score big against them.

    Boston Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown (32 points), Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (31), Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell (46 and 35), Milwaukee Bucks point guard Ryan Rollins (32), Miami Heat shooting guard Norman Powell (32), Orlando Magic point guard Anthony Black (31), Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (41), Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (40), New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (31), Orlando shooting guard Desmond Bane (31) and Cleveland point guard Jaylen Tyson (39) were the others who scored at least 30 against the Sixers.

  • Sixers consider starting Quentin Grimes; VJ Edgecombe embracing rigors of NBA season

    Sixers consider starting Quentin Grimes; VJ Edgecombe embracing rigors of NBA season

    After a great start to the season, Quentin Grimes found himself in contention for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.

    But he has been inconsistent as of late, and the 76ers are trying to get the guard back on track.

    ‘Drumming saved my life’

    “I think we really thought that he was a much better player off the bench,” coach Nick Nurse said. “That he liked to see the game a little bit and come in and play. And I think we’re having some discussions lately, that maybe that’s not the case, and maybe we’ll start sticking him back into the starting lineup a little bit to see if that helps.”

    The 6-foot-4, 210-pound shooting guard may have broken out of a recent slump in Tuesday’s 116-110 setback to the Phoenix Suns at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    In nine games entering Tuesday, Sixers guard Quentin Grimes averaged 10.4 points on 42.9% shooting – including making just 31.0% on three-pointers.

    Grimes scored 12 points on 3-for-7 shooting, adding five assists and three steals. However, with the Sixers down six points with 17.1 seconds remaining, he blew a layup, ending the comeback attempt. He also surrendered three turnovers.

    Entering Tuesday’s games, Grimes averaged 10.4 points on 42.9% shooting — including making just 31.0% on three-pointers in his last nine contests.

    “I really need him to attack the rim more,” Nurse said. “He’s good at it in the open floor and just a little bit more decisive when he’s coming up the floor to make a play in the paint, and then also to pull the three balls. Make sure he has the confidence to continue to take those. I think the light is green and getting greener, not the other way around, and just play with great confidence.”

    Edgecombe embracing rigors of NBA season

    With 38 NBA games under his belt, VJ Edgecombe already has played in five more games than he did during his lone season at Baylor. Yet the Sixers (23-19) still have 40 games remaining, meaning the rookie could play in 78 contests — more than double his total in college.

    How is the 6-5 shooting guard handling the NBA grind?

    Yes, Philly is most definitely a basketball city. Dating all the way back to 1898.

    “I’ll be honest, I’m embracing it,” he said. “I’m one of the few rookies who can say I’m playing 30 minutes. You know, that’s the blessing. Just once I’m on the floor, I’ve just got to be productive. I’ve got to not try to win every possession.”

    Heading into Thursday’s games, Edgecombe is sixth in the league in minutes at 35.8 per game, trailing teammate Tyrese Maxey (39.5), Houston Rockets stars Amen Thompson (37.2) and Kevin Durant (36.6), Los Angeles Laker guard Luka Doncic (36.3), and Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (36.0).

    Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe is 11th in the league in steals (1.5) while averaging 15.8 points and 4.2 assists.

    He is 11th in the league in steals (1.5) while also averaging 15.8 points and 4.2 assists.

    Edgecombe posted a team-high 25 points while logging 36 minutes, 45 seconds in Tuesday’s loss to the Suns. The 20-year-old scored 11 points in 35:18 in Monday’s victory over the Indiana Pacers.

    “I’m good with the back-to-backs now,” Edgecombe said with a laugh. “My first back-to-back, I wasn’t. I’m being completely honest, I wasn’t. But now I’m fine with it now. It’s still a lot. It’s still NBA games in two days.

    “It’s a toll on your body, but I’m young, and I’m grateful that I’ve got a healthy body where I can go up and down the floor. So yeah, I’m just taking it game by game, regardless if it’s back-to-back or not, just try to be the same person.”

    Sixers forward Dominick Barlow and Indiana’s Pascal Siakam battle for the ball on Monday. The Sixers have only two games left in which Jabari Walker and Barlow can both be active without the team making a roster move.

    Dwindling days

    The Sixers have only two games left in which Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow can both be active without the team making a roster move. That’s because the squad has only four total games available to players on two-way contracts, since it has fewer than 15 players on standard NBA contracts.

    Sixers takeaways: Poor three-point defense, Tyrese Maxey’s inefficiency, and more from loss to Suns

    The Sixers could sign Barlow, the starting power forward, or Walker, his backup, to a standard deal to avoid this restriction. They could also opt to sign a player to a 10-day contract. That would temporarily halt the under-15 penalty. And the Sixers could sit the two-way players, but they both have vital roles with the team.

    If nothing is done, the Sixers’ two-way players will be unable to play in NBA games following Saturday’s home game against the New York Knicks.

    Injury report

    Joel Embiid (right ankle injury recovery) is listed as probable to play Thursday against the Rockets (26-15) at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Meanwhile, Paul George (left knee injury management) is questionable.

    Houston will be without Steven Adams (sprained left ankle) and Fred VanVleet (right knee ACL repair), while Aaron Holiday (back spasms) is questionable.

  • Sixers takeaways: Poor three-point defense, Tyrese Maxey’s inefficiency, and more from loss to Suns

    Sixers takeaways: Poor three-point defense, Tyrese Maxey’s inefficiency, and more from loss to Suns

    Kelly Oubre Jr. has found his rhythm.

    There will be times when teams get physical with Tyrese Maxey and he isn’t efficient, but his overall play often makes up for it. The 76ers needed more than that on Tuesday night.

    They also must do a better job of guarding the three-point line and converting their own wide-open looks.

    Those things stood out in the Sixers’ 116-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Oubre is back

    Tuesday marked Oubre’s eighth game back with the Sixers (23-19) since he sprained a left knee ligament against the Detroit Pistons in November. He made his second straight start and third overall in that span because Paul George was sidelined for left knee injury management.

    Sixers’ Andre Drummond and Adem Bona savor minutes behind Joel Embiid: ‘I never take it personal’

    And if we learned anything in the last two games, it’s that Oubre is back to being a solid contributor.

    The 6-foot-8 small forward finished with 21 points while making 5 of 10 three-pointers against the Suns (27-17). Oubre was a game-best plus-13 in 34 minutes and added four rebounds and two steals. This comes after he had 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting along with five assists, two steals, and one block in Monday’s 113-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers. George missed both games.

    Oubre has played with his trademark energy upon his return. It was just a matter of making shots. He’s now done that in each of the last three games.

    “I’m not getting tired as easily as I was when I first started coming back,” Oubre said. “Obviously, I had to weather that storm and getting in game shape. But now my legs are under me. I’m able to pick up full [court], allow my defense to pick up my offense, and just lock in on my fundamentals. Everything is working out.”

    Oubre’s performance didn’t prevent the Sixers from losing four of their last six games. Against the Suns, they were without Joel Embiid (right ankle injury management). So that put a heavy onus on Maxey and VJ Edgecombe (25 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block).

    Maxey’s lack of efficiency

    Maxey had his second-worst shooting performance of the season (28.0%) while shooting 7 of 25, including missing six of eight three-pointers, and finishing with 20 points. However, he had game highs of seven assists and three steals to go along with one block.

    The 6-2 point guard’s all-around play usually enables him to overcome rough shooting nights. His ability to get to the rim, drain three-pointers, rack up assists, and compile steals earned him a spot as an Eastern Conference All-Star starter on Monday.

    Tyrese Maxey gets to a loose ball before the Suns’ Grayson Allen in the second half of Tuesday’s game against the Suns.

    But while his versatility is great, the Sixers need him to make shots. And for the third time in his last four games, he hasn’t been efficient.

    “I don’t think it’s physicality,” Maxey said. “I think it’s just more me, just a little tired. I don’t know. But it will be all right. I’ll be fine.”

    Tyrese Maxey addresses viral argument with VJ Edgecombe: ‘That’s my little brother’

    The sixth-year veteran, who is third in the NBA in scoring at 30.0 points per game, believes he’ll bounce back.

    “That’s what I do,” he said. “That’s why I’m here. I’ll be just fine. Take a day off tomorrow, and get some treatment. I’ll be back at it, whatever day it is. I don’t even know what day.”

    The Sixers’ next game is Thursday against the Houston Rockets at home.

    For a while, Maxey’s all-around contributions kept the Sixers competitive.

    Tyrese Maxey lands in the crowd after diving for a loose ball during Tuesday’s game against the Suns.

    There was a stretch in the third when Maxey took over the game without making a basket. He stole Mark Williams’ bad pass 28 seconds into the half, raced downcourt, and assisted on Edgecombe’s three-pointer to knot the score at 57.

    Maxey later assisted on three consecutive baskets — one by Oubre, followed by two straight by Dominick Barlow — to help the Sixers take a 68-61 lead with 8:44 left in the quarter.

    But as the game progressed, his team needed him to make shots rather than set up teammates.

    “It’s a fine line,” Maxey said. “ … I was getting in the paint, creating shots for us. But in games like this, I know we need that scoring punch, you know what I’m saying? It can come late sometimes. It can come early. But I know it’s going to be a time in the game where we need it.

    “I just couldn’t make certain shots. Like, I got easy, easy, easy, easy looks tonight, like floaters, wide-open threes, layups. Just tough. Ball didn’t bounce my way tonight. So it’s all right.”

    Better job of defending the three

    One can argue that one of the biggest differences between the Sixers and the squad they aspire to be is consistent three-point shooting. The season will remain rocky until they correct that.

    Against the Suns, they made just 11 of 34 threes (32.4%). Even that’s misleading, considering Oubre made 5 of 10. So his teammates shot 6-for-24 from deep.

    It’s hard to win shooting that poorly.

    Meanwhile, the Suns shot 16-for-39 from deep. A lot of their three-point attempts came on wide-open looks. The Sixers basically left Grayson Allen (16 points on 4-for-9 three-point shooting) and Royce O’Neale (nine points on 3-for-7 three-point shooting) all alone.

    The Sixers also struggled with pick-and-roll defense. But the disparity at the three-point line really doomed them.

  • Paul George out Tuesday vs. Suns with left knee injury management

    Paul George out Tuesday vs. Suns with left knee injury management

    Paul George will miss Tuesday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns at Xfinity Mobile Arena with left knee injury management.

    This comes after the 76ers forward missed Monday’s 113-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers with the same designation. George is averaging 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 23 games. Tuesday’s game will mark the 19th game (of 42) that he has missed this season. George missed the start of the season after recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid (right ankle injury management) is also sidelined due to not being cleared to play on both nights of back-to-backs. The 7-foot-2, 280-pounder finished with a game-high 30 points on Monday.

    With the star duo out, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr. join Dominick Barlow, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe in Tuesday’s starting lineup.

  • Tyrese Maxey addresses viral argument with VJ Edgecombe: ‘That’s my little brother’

    Tyrese Maxey addresses viral argument with VJ Edgecombe: ‘That’s my little brother’

    There will be times when passionate teammates have heated exchanges.

    One of those occasions happened Friday night between the 76ers’ backcourt mates, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, during a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

    The two were spotted arguing near the bench during a break in action after Edgecombe left Cavs standout Donovan Mitchell wide-open for a three-pointer. Maxey yelled something to Edgecombe after the made basket, and the discussion continued on the sideline during a timeout. The two-time All-Star point guard even rose from the bench to further explain his point to Edgecombe, leading to a spirited discussion in front of teammates, coaches, fans, and cameras.

    https://www.inquirer.com/sports/sixers-indiana-pacers-takeaways-tyrese-maxey-joel-embiid-pascal-siakam-20260119.html

    A video of the exchange, which circulated on social media, has gone viral.

    “I was not aware until my dad called me and was like, ‘Hey, you and VJ good?’” Maxey said. “I was like, ‘Uh, yeah. Why?’ A couple of people sent [the video] to me, and I kind of just laughed at it. We want to win so, so bad. And we talked about the scenario of, like, not leaving Donovan Mitchell. … I didn’t want him to leave Donovan Mitchell.”

    With Mitchell running down the court, Maxey wanted Edgecombe to switch off Craig Porter Jr., the ball handler. Instead, both players followed Porter, who passed to a wide-open Mitchell.

    After catching the pass, the six-time All-Star stepped into a 27-foot three-pointer to knot the score at 16 with 6 minutes, 52 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Sixers held Mitchell to 13 points on 4-for-13 shooting that night after he tormented them for 35 points two nights before.

    Aside from the miscommunication, the Sixers guards did a solid job defending him. However, they struggled offensively. Maxey had 22 points on 9-for-23 shooting. Edgecombe scored 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting. He didn’t attempt a shot in the third quarter and scored three points on 1-for-2 shooting in the fourth.

    But a lot of attention went to their exchange in the video.

    Second-half goals for the Sixers: Tyrese Maxey’s MVP push, Jared McCain’s minutes and more Joel Embiid dunks

    “I just told him, like, man, in certain scenarios, certain principles go out the window,” Maxey said of wanting Edgecombe to switch on to Mitchell. “Like, this dude is really good, and he had 35 on us last night. I say all that to say, we just want to win. Like, we laughed about it after the game. I was the first person to tell him, like, ‘Dude, you shooting five times in a basketball game is not going to cut it for us. Like, we need you. You’ve got to be up to 10, 12. Like, you’ve got to be aggressive.’

    “So, man, that’s fine. That’s my dog. That’s my little brother.”

    McConnell’s milestone

    On Friday, T.J. McConnell joined another former Sixer, Lou Williams, as the only players in NBA history to record 3,000 assists off the bench.

    McConnell, who’s in his seventh season with the Indiana Pacers, reached the milestone with two assists in the first quarter of the Pacers’ 129-117 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

    Williams, who played a combined 17 seasons with the Sixers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers, recorded 3,262 assists as a reserve and added 527 as a starter.

    Former Sixers guard T.J. McConnell (9), now with the Indiana Pacers, posted a stat that is unique to only two players who spent time in Philly.

    After adding three assists in Monday’s 114-103 loss to the Sixers, McConnell has 3,010 assists off the bench. The 11th-year veteran is just one of five players to reach career marks of 3,000-plus points, 2,000-plus assists, 1,500-plus rebounds, and 500-plus steals as a reserve.

    “I feel like my playing here established the player I was going to be throughout my career,” McConnell said of spending his first four NBA seasons with the Sixers. “It established a mindset on how I’m going to play, how I’m going to go about it, and how I’m going to be a pro.

    “Obviously, I’m very thankful for my time here, because I wouldn’t have been put in a position to play as many years as I did. For them to take a chance on me and establish the type of player I want to be, I’m thankful.”

    The NBA journey of former Villanova star Collin Gillespie seems unlikely to everyone — except him

    Undrafted out of Arizona, McConnell began his NBA journey as the Sixers’ fifth-string point guard during training camp in 2015. At the time, the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder didn’t even have a locker.

    The former Sixers fan favorite averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 assists in 314 games with 72 starts before signing a free-agent deal with the Pacers on July 29, 2019.

  • Sixers takeaways: More urgency needed, Tyrese Maxey’s rising ceiling, and more from win over the Pacers

    Sixers takeaways: More urgency needed, Tyrese Maxey’s rising ceiling, and more from win over the Pacers

    The 76ers must play with a sense of urgency against bad and/or undermanned teams.

    Tyrese Maxey is a newly minted Eastern Conference NBA All-Star starter. But the Sixers point guard, and coach Nick Nurse, believe he has more to give.

    And the Sixers need more production from their bench.

    These things stood out in Monday’s 113-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Lack of energy

    Maxey and Joel Embiid’s play, especially late in the game, enabled the Sixers (23-18) to avoid an embarrassing loss to the Pacers (10-34).

    Maxey scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder also had four assists and four steals while playing 10 minutes, 35 seconds in the quarter.

    In the quarter, Maxey was able to get to the paint more frequently and finish at the rim.

    “We kind of opened the court up a little bit,” he said. “Me and Joel didn’t play a lot of two-man game. So it’s kind of like just getting him the ball, coming off screens, and doing that.”

    But before Embiid reentered the game with 5:01 remaining, Maxey was paired with Quentin Grimes, Jabari Walker, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Adem Bona.

    “And with that unit, I know I have to be ultra-aggressive for myself, for my teammates as well, getting to the paint, kicking it out, generating threes. That’s what I tried to do. Got a couple of corner threes with that group, and that’s good offense for us.”

    Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey named starter in NBA All-Star Game

    For the game, Maxey made 12 of 24 shots to go with eight assists, four rebounds, a career-high eight steals, and one block.

    “I was just trying to be aggressive, you know, make plays for my teammates,” Maxey said of his steals. “I think it gets us going when we get out in the open court [after stealing the ball] and get some easy baskets.”

    Meanwhile, Embiid scored nine of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. The center also finished with nine rebounds and four assists.

    But it was like the Sixers fell into a deep slumber against the Pacers before they took over.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid poured in 30 points in a combeack win Monday over Indiana.

    At the start of the game, they looked like a well-oiled machine.

    Embiid had 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting. Oubre, who started in place of Paul George, had six points on 3-for-3 shooting. And Dominick Barlow had the other two points on 1-for-2 shooting, as the Sixers had an 18-15 lead with 6:19 remaining in the first quarter. They had made 9 of 12 shots at the time.

    They couldn’t shake the Pacers and clung to a 33-30 lead heading into the second quarter. And things only got worse for the Sixers in the second. They shot 26.3% and trailed by as many as 10 points against the NBA’s second-worst team. Much of the defending Eastern Conference champions’ struggles are down to injuries.

    On Monday, they were without Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles tendon tear), Bennedict Mathurin (sprained right thumb), and Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture).

    The Sixers struggled through 3-for-13 three-point shooting over the first three quarters. They ended up making 5 of 17.

    But struggling against an undermanned squad isn’t uncommon.

    On Jan. 5, they put forth an inexcusable effort against a Denver Nuggets team playing without its entire starting lineup and three key reserves.

    This time, the Sixers woke up from their slumber and escaped with a nine-point victory. But they need to do a better job of putting teams away that have no business competing with them.

    The Sixers are still struggling with inconsistency at the NBA’s halfway mark. How will they address it?

    Maxey just scratching the surface

    Maxey impacted the game in many ways on Monday. But the belief is that the sixth-year veteran is just scratching the surface.

    “I think I’m most definitely nowhere close to where I could be, as far as basketball-wise,” Maxey said. “I feel like I can keep getting better. And my thing is I just want to be better. You know what I’m saying, for my teammates, for this organization, my family. And I know I have a coach, an organization, and teammates who believe in me. And when you have that, it kind of pushes you to be even better than what you are.”

    Right now, he must do a better job of adjusting when teams trap him. But Maxey is most proud of his leadership and the strides he’s made on defense. He was a good defender growing up. But he’s found that the transition to the NBA has been more challenging.

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey had a career-high eight steals in Monday’s win.

    “I feel like I figured it out a little bit on how to be impactful,” he said, “and impact the game on the [defensive] end of the floor.”

    But even though he needs to regain his rhythm, Maxey is in the midst of a career season.

    He is third in the league in scoring (30.2 points per game), second in steals (2.1), and 15th in assists (6.7). He is also fourth in made three-pointers (140), and has scored at least 30 points in 19 of 39 games.

    “We’re trying to give him every opportunity to be aggressive and go do his thing,” Nurse said. “And he’s very talented. And I keep saying there’s still a lot of room for growth, which I think is exciting.”

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    More needed from Sixers bench

    The Sixers were outscored 35-14 in bench points, and even that was misleading. They only had eight heading into the fourth quarter.

    Grimes had five points on 1-for-7 shooting. Walker had five while making 2 of 5 shots. He was, by far, the most productive reserve, finishing with six rebounds and four steals. Bona (two points, 1-for-2 shooting) and Trendon Watford (two points, 1-for-4 shooting) were the other bench scorers.

    Justin Edwards and Jared McCain didn’t attempt a shot after playing only the final 47 seconds. But the Sixers must get more production out of their bench if they expect to remain competitive.