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Tag: Kelly Oubre Jr.

  • Instant observations: Tyrese Maxey becomes Sixers’ all-time three-point shooting leader in critical win over Miami

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    In the standings and in the record books, Thursday night’s game between the Sixers and Miami Heat meant a lot.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Instant observations: Sixers finally find flow, snap losing streak with emphatic win over Timberwolves

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    After their worst loss of the season, the Sixers went wire to wire as the better team in Minneapolis on Sunday night. Their dynamic backcourt dominated to stop the bleeding without Joel Embiid.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Instant observations: Another horrid loss for Sixers, suddenly searching for sources of offense

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    Facing a team tied for the second-worst record in the NBA playing on the second leg of a back-to-back, the Sixers were bulldozed in the second half on Saturday.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Instant observations: After a few emotional days, Sixers settle things down with decisive win over Suns

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    The 2025-26 Sixers have officially reached the 30-win mark, and Saturday’s victory was much-needed after all that has happened over the last few days.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Instant observations: Short-handed Sixers run out of gas, drop second leg of back-to-back to Suns

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    The Sixers have not beaten the Phoenix Suns since Nov. 4, 2023.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Sunday stats: Paul George starts attacking downhill, and the Sixers have found a swarming defensive lineup

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    The Sixers, suddenly at full strength, have hit their stride. Paul George is giving them an enormous two-way lift.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Instant observations: Sixers reach full strength for the first time in over two years, get back on track vs. Wizards

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    For the first time since Dec. 18, 2023, and only the 11th time in head coach Nick Nurse’s tenure with the organization, the Sixers did not have a single player ruled out due to injury or personal reasons on Wednesday.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Five More Trade Targets the Sixers Should Consider (Part 2) – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

    Reevaluating Potential Trade Targets for the 76ers

    We’re about 34 games into the 2025-26 NBA season, and the trade deadline is coming up fast. The Sixers just dropped a tough one in overtime Monday night, 125-124 to a heavily shorthanded Denver Nuggets team missing all their starters. That loss highlighted some ongoing issues—like late-game execution and offensive flow—that have been frustrating this year. Fans are also growing impatient with Paul George’s expensive contract. He’s been solid overall this season, averaging around 15-16 points with decent efficiency, but lately he’s looked more like a reliable role player than the All-Star they signed him to be.

    Whether the front office considers moving George if things don’t turn around is unlikely, but persistent problems could force some big changes. That said, this roster still has the talent for a deep playoff run when healthy, so the Sixers are more likely to be buyers than sellers at the deadline.

    The Sixers’ Trade Situation

    Philadelphia is in a tight spot cap-wise. They are just over $1 million under the first apron and about $13 million under the second, giving them limited flexibility. The most movable contracts are guys like Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre Jr., Eric Gordon, and Kyle Lowry. Bigger names like Paul George or Jared McCain aren’t realistic to shop.

    The biggest needs? Probably a 3-and-D wing, a true backup point guard, or another big to rotate behind Joel Embiid. They also need to convert Dominick Barlow’s and/or Jabari Walker’s two-way deals before they hit the 50-game limit.

    With those constraints in mind, here are five realistic trade targets the Sixers could pursue to stay financially flexible while upgrading the roster:

    1) Tari Eason (Houston Rockets)

    An athletic forward who’s highly valuable and could start every day. He’s got tough grit and elite defense—exactly the kind of energy guy who fits what we need on the wing.

    A move like this will most likely require some draft capital but could prove worth it in the long run if the Sixers are able to make a run.

    2) Tyus Jones (Orlando Magic)

    A veteran point guard who could steady the second unit. For a very affordable price, he’d give the sixers a legitimate ball-handler and organizer off the bench, something they have been missing. His role is very minor currently on the Magic and they could look to move him at the deadline.

    3) Jay Huff (Indiana Pacers)

    A solid power forward/center having a strong season so far in Indiana. He can spell Embiid with scoring, rim protection, and shot-blocking—averaging over 2 blocks per game while stretching the floor a bit. He is having an excellent season and it’s no secret the Pacers are looking to sell.

    4) TJ McConnell (Indiana Pacers)

    A Philly reunion makes sense if the deal works out. They would be bringing back a fan favorite and recent conference finalist who’s proven himself as one of the most underrated backup PGs in the league. He brings a spark, toughness, and can straight-up lead an offense when needed.

    5) Dorian Finney-Smith (Houston Rockets)

    He’s been linked to the Sixers for years, and now he’s not getting heavy minutes in Houston after recovering from injury. DFS is the prototype 3-and-D forward—you could never have too many lengthy wings like him who impact winning on both ends.

    Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

    A fully healthy Sixers team probably doesn’t need major additions to contend. But with the usual health questions and the goal of winning a championship for the first time in over 40 years (last one was ’83), some move feels like it’s on the horizon. Let’s see what Daryl Morey cooks up.

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    Jake Mayson

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  • Joel Embiid questionable for Sixers-Wizards on Wednesday; Kelly Oubre Jr., Trendon Watford questionable to return

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    Joel Embiid (left knee injury management; right ankle soreness) is questionable to play when the Sixers host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Tuesday, which also lists Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford as questionable to return from their long-term absences:

    For the first several weeks of the season, Embiid was on a strict load management plan that included multiple days off in between appearances. In early December, Embiid logged two starts in a three-day span for the first time, and as the Sixers’ schedule has compressed over the last week he has been cleared for considerably more action. Embiid has played every other day for a week; if he suits up against the Wizards it will be his fifth game in nine days.

    During the four games he played over the last seven days, Embiid has averaged 36.5 minutes per game, including a season-high 40 minutes in the team’s overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday. Embiid said after the game that, while he did not expect his minutes total to get that high and made a remark about how long it had been since he reached that number, he felt “pretty good.”

    Meanwhile, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said after Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford participated in an intense scrimmage with assistant coaches after Monday’s morning shootaround that both rotation forwards would be cleared to play “any day.” That day seems to have come. Oubre has been sidelined since he sprained the LCL in his left knee on Nov. 14, while Watford went down with a left adductor strain on Nov. 25. 

    MORE: How will Oubre and Watford’s returns impact rotation?

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Sixers mailbag: Who will lose playing time when Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford make their returns from injury?

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    The Sixers have two rotation forwards set to return from long-term injuries in the near future. How will head coach Nick Nurse’s rotation change when Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford get back on the floor?

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Rookie Magic: Edgecombe’s Clutch Three Saves the Day in Memphis – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The No. 3 pick drops 25 and the game-winner

    Valdez Drexel Edgecombe Jr. has hit the ground running for the Philadelphia 76ers. The number three overall pick in the 2025 draft seems to only be getting better as the games go on. Already finding himself as every night starter but growing into a focal point in the offense along with becoming one of the Sixers’ most trusted defenders. His impact off the ball has helped the Sixers propel into the 5th seed in the East with a 17-14 record through the end of December. VJ’s blend of explosive athleticism and smart play has been a breath of fresh air for a team dealing with ups and downs, especially injuries to guys like Embiid.

    Coming out of Baylor, where he flashed two-way potential, VJ has translated it seamlessly to the pros. He’s averaging 15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game on 42% shooting. But stats don’t tell the full story – he’s locking down perimeter guards, throwing down wild dunks, and making smart cuts or extra passes that fit perfectly alongside Maxey and Embiid. The kid plays hard every possession, and it’s contagious.

    Sixers dust off tough three game skid:

    After a rough skid and three-game losing streak that had fans worried, VJ got the Sixers back on track last night against the Memphis Grizzlies. It was a shootout at FedExForum, with Joel Embiid dropping 34 points and 10 boards. But VJ stole the spotlight in overtime. Tied at 136-136, with 1.7 seconds left, he drained a three off an inbound play for a 139-136 win. He finished with 25 points (10-of-21 FG, 5-of-10 from deep), six rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a block in 41 minutes. That dagger wasn’t just clutch – it’s the stuff Philly legends are made of.

    Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

    Postgame, VJ stayed humble, crediting teammates: “My teammates have faith in us to make a play, and that’s what happened” (WSLS). But that grin gave away how big it felt. This isn’t his only highlight – think back to his 22 points while clamping Brunson against the Knicks, or that double-double vs. Boston to end an earlier slump. VJ consistently steps up.

    Head coach Nick Nurse on his maturity: “He’s kind of like that all the time… I never see him show much emotion. I think it’s an incredible quality. He just plays the game” (WSLS). Nurse has ramped up his minutes, and it’s paying dividends. VJ’s quiet confidence cuts through the hype.

    While Cooper Flagg grabs headlines as the heavy ROY favorite at -600 odds, VJ is climbing with his athletic finishes, clutch shots, defense, and IQ. His odds are around +6000, but performances like last night could change that fast. Others like Kon Knueppel and Derik Queen are in the conversation, but VJ’s all-around impact on a contender sets him apart. His style and passion have Sixers fans buzzing with hope for the future. Playoffs looming – if he keeps this up, Philly could make serious noise. This rookie’s just scratching the surface.

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    Jake Mayson

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  • Joel Embiid out for Sixers-Thunder on Sunday with two injury designations

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    Joel Embiid (right knee injury management; right ankle sprain) will miss the Sixers’ road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Saturday, which also lists Paul George (left knee injury management) as probable:

    Embiid, whose right knee issue led to him missing eight consecutive games earlier in the season, has experienced multiple scares there over the last two games, including Friday’s game in Chicago in which he surpassed 32 minutes for the first time in 2025-26. This is the first mention of any right ankle issue for Embiid this season.

    Also out for the Sixers are Kelly Oubre Jr., whose absence due to a left knee LCL sprain has officially reached the six-week mark, with no substantive information available about his potential timeline to return; and Trendon Watford, who has now been out for more than a month with an adductor strain and similarly has no timetable to be back on the floor.

    Both players are limited to individual on-court work; Oubre seems a bit closer to ramping up than Watford though it is unclear if either one is anywhere near close to that point

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Joel Embiid questionable for Sixers-Bulls on Friday; three players still dealing with illness

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    Joel Embiid is questionable for the Sixers’ road game against the Chicago Bulls Friday night after suffering an injury scare to his right knee in Tuesday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Thursday evening. Embiid referred to the injury suffered on the opening play of that third quarter as a hyperextension, but it did not prevent him from playing considerable minutes in the second half of the game.

    As it relates to the ongoing illness bug that bit Tyrese Maxey for two games, Embiid for one and then caused the Sixers to be without all three of VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes and Dominick Barlow on Tuesday: Edgecombe, Grimes and Barlow are all listed as questionable due to illness once again.

    Edgecombe, Grimes and Barlow were initially questionable for Tuesday”s game due to their illnesses before being ruled out an hour and 45 minutes before tip-off. It is unclear if those players will be on the team’s flight to Chicago on Thursday.

    After cancelling his team’s shootaround on Tuesday morning, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse opted to not hold a practice as had previously been planned on Wednesday in an attempt to ensure that the illness that has plagued the team for two weeks would not continue to spread.

    MORE: When and how will Barlow and Jabari Walker get standard contracts?

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Joel Embiid doubtful for Sixers-Mavericks on Saturday; Paul George out

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    Joel Embiid (illness; right knee injury management) is doubtful for the Sixers’ home contest against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Saturday afternoon. The report also lists Paul George as out on the second leg of the team’s back-to-back:

    Embiid, initially listed as questionable for Friday’s game in New York due to an illness, was later ruled out with the additional tag of right knee injury management applied. It was the first time Embiid’s right knee has been officially reported as an issue in over two weeks, when he returned from a nine-game absence. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse provided the following comments on Friday evening:

    George, meanwhile, has yet to play in both legs of any back-to-backs this year. The nine-time All-Star logged 33 minutes for the third consecutive game on Friday at Madison Square Garden; he only shot 2-for-10 from the field but was a team-best +16, largely because of his continued defensive impact.

    The expected absences are the same: Kelly Oubre Jr., who has been out for well over a month with his left knee LCL sprain and still does not have a timeline to return, and Trendon Watford, who is coming up on a month-long absence due to a left adductor strain and also does not have a timeline to return.

    For Dallas, Anthony Davis is probable with an illness and Klay Thompson is questionable due to left knee soreness.

    MORE: VJ Edgecombe meets the moment in Madison Square Garden debut

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Joel Embiid questionable, Tyrese Maxey doubtful for Sixers-Hawks on Sunday

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    Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) is questionable to play when the Sixers face the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday night, according to the team’s initial injury report for the game unveiled on Saturday afternoon, which also lists Tyrese Maxey as doubtful due to the illness responsible for him missing the team’s win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday:

    Embiid, who has yet to appear in two games during any three-day span during the season, said he felt “great” after posting his strongest performance of the season to lead the Sixers to victory on Friday night, intimating he was eager to play again on Sunday. However, Embiid acknowledged that to this point the team’s plan to manage his left knee has included multiple days off in between all games. With four-day layoffs before and after this potential first try at playing two games in three nights, perhaps the Sixers feel the time is right to give it a shot.

    Maxey was not in attendance as Embiid, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe led the Sixers to their 14th victory of the season; he went from probable to questionable to out due to an illness. It was Maxey’s first absence of the season. It is unclear whether or not he traveled with the team to Atlanta on Saturday.

    Meanwhile, the Sixers remain past due on substantive updates about the statuses of Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee), who has been sidelined for a month, and Trendon Watford (adductor), whose absence has lasted multiple weeks. The latest information on both is that, according to Sixers head coach Nick Nurse on Thursday, neither player is doing live on-court work, only individual activity.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Joel Embiid out for Sixers-Nets on Friday in ninth straight absence; Paul George questionable and VJ Edgecombe out

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    Joel Embiid (right knee injury management) will miss his ninth game in a row when the Sixers face the Nets in Brooklyn on Friday night, according to the team’s injury report for the game issued on Thursday evening, while Paul George (right ankle sprain) is questionable, Adem Bona (right ankle sprain) is probable to return and VJ Edgecombe remains out for the third consecutive contest:

    Embiid has not played since Nov. 8, when he posted season-highs in points and minutes in a victory over the Toronto Raptors. Embiid had a scripted absence the following night as the Sixers managed his left knee, the subject of an arthroscopic procedure in April and other work in recent years. Embiid seemed to be making considerable progress.

    But on the morning of Nov. 11, Embiid came to the team’s pregame shootaround and reported soreness in his right knee. Of his eight consecutive absences, the last seven have been caused by the right knee issue. He has mostly been practicing fully during his absence, and for more than two weeks the Sixers have been adamant that the former NBA MVP was still merely day-to-day. He was initially questionable for Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Orlando Magic, but was ruled out a handful of hours before tip-off. He did not practice on Wednesday, instead going through what the team called an “individual strength and conditioning session.”

    George, who missed the first 12 games of the year due to his own left knee surgery recovery, went from probable to out on Tuesday due to a right ankle sprain. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said that night that it was not yet clear whether or not the nine-time All-Star was going to miss more time, but George was a full participant in the team’s practice on Wednesday.

    Edgecombe also participated in that practice, a positive sign after the rookie missed his second game in a row due to a left calf issue. His designation on both injury reports for those absences was “left calf tightness,” but Nurse referred to it as a “strain” on Tuesday. Edgecombe had imaging come back clean, and Nurse acknowledged that the team is inclined to be especially cautious given the links between calf injuries and Achilles injuries. Now he is out once again, but this time a designation of “left calf injury management.”

    Bona told PhillyVoice earlier this week that he was “feeling great” as he recovered from a right ankle sprain which has sidelined him for five games. On Wednesday, Bona said that being available to return on Friday was his “big goal,” and he felt like he was “right there.”

    The expected absences: Kelly Oubre Jr., whose re-evaluation for a left knee LCL sprain is about a week away, and Trendon Watford, out for at least two weeks due to a left adductor strain the 25-year-old suffered on Tuesday.

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Sixers list Paul George questionable to make season debut vs. former team on Monday; Joel Embiid out vs. Clippers

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    Nine-time All-Star Paul George appears to be primed to make his season debut for the Sixers on Monday night against his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers listed George as questionable to play on their injury report unveiled on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid remains out due to a right knee issue:

    George had multiple left knee injuries during his debut season with the Sixers, only logging 41 appearances while also being derailed by ailments related to his finger and groin. The nine-time All-Star injured his left knee again during the offseason, requiring an arthroscopic procedure in July. George has not yet played in 2025-26 despite fully participating in Sixers practices for a month now, causing significant frustration among fans. The latest substantive update on George’s status came on Tuesday, when the Sixers said his final step before returning was strengthening his left quadricep.

    Embiid, who has played in half of the Sixers’ dozen games to begin the season, has not appeared in a game since Nov. 8, his best and longest performance of the campaign to date. The next day came his fourth absence of the season; all four of those missed games came as planned rest days as the team managed his troubled left knee. But he has missed the Sixers’ last two games because of soreness he reported in his right knee, though imaging confirmed there is no structural damage. His designation has changed from “right knee soreness” to “right knee injury management.”

    Elsewhere, the Sixers said on Sunday afternoon that Kelly Oubre Jr. and Adem Bona would both be out for Monday’s game. Oubre suffered a left knee hyperextension during the team’s loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday, missing the second half of the game. The Sixers said on Sunday that Oubre’s injury involved his LCL and his return timeline was unclear. His official designation on the injury report: “left knee sprain.”

    Bona, meanwhile, suffered a right ankle sprain in Detroit and will miss at least three games, beginning with Monday’s contest. The earliest Bona could return is on Thursday night in Milwaukee, the second leg of the team’s next back-to-back.

    Jared McCain, who missed the Sixers’ last game because he was on assignment in the G League, has been recalled to the team, practiced with the group on Sunday and, according to Nurse, is going to be part of the rotation on Monday. He is officially available.

    MORE: McCain makes progress with Delaware Blue Coats: ‘I’m getting there’

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Sunday stats: Quentin Grimes’ turnover troubles, Justin Edwards’ growing confidence and Kelly Oubre Jr.’s value

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    While the Sixers’ 7-5 record is a relatively positive outcome given the lack of certainty surrounding the team, their problematic health and the memory of their miserable start to a nightmarish 24-58 campaign last season, it is also representative of some missed opportunities.

    Of the Sixers’ five losses, a few of them – including Friday’s defeat at the hands of a depleted Detroit Pistons team – have been avoidable. That the Sixers can withstand some injuries, bungle some games and still see plenty of reasons for optimism is a testament to how much more pleasant everything has been this season.

    However, there are some real causes for concern, both in terms of recent play and looking ahead. This is a very flawed team, even if it is one much closer to being good in a normal capacity than anybody expected it to be.

    A look at some of the good and some of the bad in this week’s edition of Sunday stats:

    100

    The percentage of Quentin Grimes’ appearances in which he has recorded multiple turnovers.

    Quentin Grimes and VJ Edgecombe have tag-teamed backup point guard duties when Tyrese Maxey has been off the floor this year; the level of success accomplished in those minutes has been difficult to quantify. Twice the Sixers have overcome relatively poor Maxey outings by winning his rest minutes, but on the whole they have been shredded with the sixth-year star guard off the floor.

    While both Grimes and Edgecombe have more than enough chops to handle some ball-handling duties in an NBA rotation, neither one is a true primary creator. With Edgecombe in a particularly tough slump of late, more responsibility has befallen the 25-year-old Grimes, whose optimal role is likely as a secondary option on the perimeter and a tertiary option overall. Grimes gets to fill that role when sharing the floor with Maxey and Embiid, but because Embiid has missed six of the team’s 12 games and no other competent ball-handlers exist on the roster outside of Edgecombe, Grimes has rarely gotten the chance to be utilized in an ideal fashion.

    A player having the ball a decent bit racking up turnovers is not breaking news, but Grimes’ issues with ball security have been pretty pronounced for the last few weeks:

    Game Quentin Grimes turnovers
    Oct. 22 @ BOS 5
    Oct. 25 vs. CHA 2
    Oct. 27 vs. ORL 2
    Oct. 28 @ WAS 2
    Oct. 31 vs. BOS 3
    Nov. 2 @ BKN 4
    Nov. 4 @ CHI 4
    Nov. 5 @ CLE 4
    Nov. 8 vs. TOR 3
    Nov. 9 vs. DET 3
    Nov. 11 vs. BOS 4
    Nov. 14 @ DET 2

    On Friday, Grimes was not the lone bad actor in the Sixers’ disastrous 15-point fourth quarter, but he certainly did not help them stay afloat:

    It is not that Grimes should be used as an off-ball role player, on this team or any other. But in a perfect world, the blossoming skill he showed with the ball in his hands during the final two months of last season would be treated as a luxury more than a necessity. On this Sixers team, Jared McCain’s troubles have forced Grimes into being an essential piece of any path to piecing together 48 viable minutes at point guard. It is not the best way to use Grimes, who has largely been very good in his first full season with the Sixers but quietly could be one of the most significant beneficiaries of McCain eventually getting right, even if it cuts into his minutes.

    MORE: Jared McCain makes progress with Blue Coats: ‘I’m getting there’

    12.0

    Justin Edwards’ three-point attempts per 100 possessions.

    When a player shoots 8-for-9 from the field and 5-for-6 from three-point range on national television to swing a game against a rival in front of his hometown crowd, it to be expected that their confidence will skyrocket. Justin Edwards had looked jarringly timid to begin his second NBA season, but his signature performance last week might have unlocked something.

    During his rookie campaign, what made Edwards such a tantalizing prospect and a player head coach Nick Nurse rapidly grew so fond of was his ability to make quick decisions. Self-awareness is a tremendous skill, and Edwards immediately understood that he was not a player who should be dribbling a whole lot. When the ball swung his way, any decision – a shot, a swing pass or a drive – was made instantaneously, and more often than not Edwards was making prudent judgments as well.

    Early on this year, Edwards was in his head. It was clear when watching him hesitate on spot-up threes, fail to drive with force or get caught in between two different ideas and turning the ball over. But after Tuesday’s eruption against the Celtics, Edwards shot another six triples on Friday night in Detroit, connecting on three of them. Edwards’ season-long three-point shooting numbers suddenly look stellar, but actually watching the shots he took against the Pistons shows a massive difference from where he was just a week or so ago:

    After what happened at the end of the first half of Friday’s game, Edwards continuing to find his best self will be all the more important…

    MORE: Edwards stays ready, and ‘the work shows’ with late-game heroics vs. Celtics

    36.7

    Kelly Oubre Jr.’s minutes per game in 2025-26 before leaving Friday’s game early with a left knee hyperextension.

    Kelly Oubre Jr. has been an incredibly consistent piece for the Sixers this year; after a so-so performance on opening night he strung together eight consecutive quality outings before falling into a mini-slump of sorts. His constant availability and effort have been extraordinary; Oubre cares deeply about starting and had earned every bit of a job many suspected he would lose early in the season.

    The Sixers will have an injury report for Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers by Sunday evening, but left knee hyperextensions are typically not injuries players can suffer without missing any time:

    If Oubre does miss time, first of all, Paul George getting back on the floor would be particularly helpful. The slow nature of the nine-time All-Star’s return to game action has been painstaking for many Sixers fans, even as the team acknowledges that George is in the final steps of his recovery.

    Elsewhere, Edwards becomes especially important as someone whose defensive range is similar to that of Oubre’s. Edwards is a wing by trade, but Nurse likes putting him on guards and asking the 21-year-old to chase them around. Grimes sliding up to small forward in three-guard lineups alongside Maxey and Edgecombe even more often is the most obvious solution, but the aforementioned issue of their nonexistent guard depth behind those three would be exacerbated. Another option: Eric Gordon, who has rarely been used this season but remains the ultimate floor spacer and has Nurse’s trust guarding above his size. 

    MORE: Sixers falter offensively late, drop winnable NBA Cup game @ depleted Pistons

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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Instant observations: Sixers falter offensively late, drop winnable NBA Cup game against depleted Pistons

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    Friday’s NBA Cup Group Play battle between the Sixers and Pistons in Detroit should have been a chance for the Sixers to bank a win against a team devastated by injuries. Instead, it will be remembered as a 114-105 loss and a significant missed opportunity.

    To be fair, the Sixers were far from at full strength themselves: Joel Embiid, Paul George and Jared McCain were all down for this game; the first two players are dealing with knee issues and the third is on assignment in the G League. But the Sixers had considerably more manpower available than Detroit, whose five starters in this game are earning a combined $32.9 million in 2025-26 – a figure about $5 million lower than Tyrese Maxey’s salary this season.

    But the Sixers learned the hard way just how tough-minded this Pistons team is, and a horrid offensive showing in the fourth quarter sunk them after a shockingly brilliant performance in the third quarter. It was a bizarre reversal of fortunes that initially appeared promising but later became crushing.

    Takeaways from a loss that the Sixers would like to have back – and one that all but eliminates them from contention for the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds:

    Dominick Barlow returns

    Barlow swung the Sixers’ season-opening game in their favor back on Oct. 22 as the starting power forward; he grabbed five offensive rebounds over the Boston Celtics and every single one of them led directly to points. He also had five assists in that game, and Barlow remained the team’s starting power forward for its home opener. But then, at halftime of the second game of the season, Barlow was ruled out with a right elbow laceration.

    An ailment the Sixers did not believe was all that serious at the time turned out to cost the two-way forward nine full games. Barlow had to undergo a procedure and then wear a brace that kept his arm completely straight so the wound would heal. Barlow, at least for now, has lost the starting power forward job to Trendon Watford, but either one of them would be a placeholder for George regardless. Barlow surges toward the top of a crowded field of rotation candidates in the frontcourt that also includes Justin Edwards and Jabari Walker.

    Barlow officially rejoined the action to begin the second quarter on Friday, and he immediately looked like himself. Barlow played six minutes and change before subbing out; he grabbed six rebounds with three of them coming on the offensive glass (one of them led directly to an Edwards triple). Barlow also knocked down a corner triple himself despite his suspect shooting mechanics being further derailed by his elbow:

    Shortly thereafter, Barlow recovered after a turnover to block athletic Pistons wing Ron Holland II on a transition dunk attempt. Barlow was whistled for a foul and immediately called for a review; head coach Nick Nurse obliged and the call was overturned.

    Barlow started the second half – more on this shortly – and the 22-year-old promptly assisted a Quentin Grimes triple, blocked a shot and then connected from beyond the arc again. He nearly threw down an emphatic put-back dunk, too, but the ball was just a bit too far away from the rim for even such an athletic big to pull it off. He flushed it and collected another two assists; he is beginning to show some serious chops in advantage situations. It was a stellar all-around showing for any player, let alone one returning from a prolonged absence.

    Exactly what Barlow’s role will look like with Watford fully integrated and George eventually back in the fold remains to be seen. He closed the Sixers’ opener at center and found success, perhaps he could upend Adem Bona there. But Barlow remains a tremendous asset, two-way contract or not.

    Did Nick Nurse find his fix for third quarters?

    Asked about his team’s constant struggles in third quarters earlier this week, Nurse hinted that he was considering a practice that he has been unafraid to utilize before: opening second halves of games with a different starting five than the one on the floor when games begin. It is a strategy that worked for Nurse when he coached the Toronto Raptors to an NBA Finals victory, when Danny Green opened games and Fred VanVleet replaced him in that unit to begin third quarters.

    On Friday, Nurse started Maxey, Edgecombe, Oubre, Watford and Andre Drummond. But with Oubre ruled out for the second half of action due to a left knee hyperextension, the veteran swingman was replaced by Grimes in the starting unit to open the second half. Barlow also took over for Watford, a sign of Nurse’s creativity finally taking over in a more serious way as he became desperate to solve the Sixers’ league-worst performance in third quarters.

    Well, this experiment can be considered a success. The Sixers did not just play what was far and away their best third quarter of the season on Friday, but they came out of intermission with one of their single best quarters of 2025-26, period. After allowing Detroit to control the game’s physicality in the first half, the Sixers finally became the aggressors on both ends of the floor. They swarmed everything and caused chaos defensively while playing with determination and force on the offensive end.

    The grouping of Maxey, Edgecombe, Grimes, Barlow and Drummond opened the second half on a 14-0 run that eventually extended to a 21-2 stretch. Barlow was all over the place during that stretch while Maxey shook off an inefficient first half to get going. Grimes knocked down some shots and had standout defensive plays, while Drummond flushed an embarrassing double-dribble violation on a 2-on-0 transition opportunity by knocking down two corner triples and stunning Pistons fans unfamiliar with that part of his game:

    The Sixers were outscored by 10 points in the final 3:30 of the frame when their offense stagnated and Detroit got hot – and made a half-court bank-shot – but it was still a very successful 36-25 third quarter. Nurse has joked that he would rather his group thrive in fourth quarters than third quarters; it was the fourth quarter in which the Sixers lost this game.

    Odds and ends

    Some additional notes: 

    • Drummond definitely appreciated the chance to flash his corner three-point shooting in front of Pistons fans. After the Sixers practiced on Thursday, the veteran center spoke glowingly of his relationship with Detroit and the Pistons.

    “I mean, that’s home,” Drummond said. “That’s where I started. That’s the team that took a chance on me, an 18-year-old from Middletown, Connecticut, gave me a chance to play the game I know and love at the highest level. So it’s always respect and love for the city of Detroit.”

    • After experiencing a brutal slump over his last handful of games, Edgecombe got off to a nice start in this one, connecting on two early triples and carrying 13 efficient points into halftime. But in the second half the rookie experienced major difficulty as a scorer, with Grimes superseding him in terms of on-ball responsibility. Edgecombe did once again knock down a crucial three in the fourth quarter despite his prior struggles, perhaps another sign of his strong mental makeup.

    Edgecombe’s fast start was particularly encouraging given his back ailment. But he is still looking to find the sort of groove he enjoyed early in the season.

    • Time will tell how Oubre recovers, but knee hyperextensions are never great. He struggled in this game and the one before it, but Oubre has been among the Sixers’ most consistent and valuable contributors this season. Their aforementioned crowded frontcourt picture is more valuable now that Oubre could miss time. Of course, George returning would be a major lift as well.

    Up next: The Sixers will have another two days off before returning to action on Monday night when they host the struggling Los Angeles Clippers.

    Follow Adam on Twitter: @SixersAdam
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    Adam Aaronson

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  • Instant observations: Kelly Oubre Jr.’s early explosion, more stellar guard play nets Sixers an easy victory in Brooklyn

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    NEW YORK – Sixers fans made most of the noise at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sunday evening, and their team gave them good reason with a 129-105 pummeling of the lowly Nets.

    With Joel Embiid, Paul George, Jared McCain and Dominick Barlow sidelined, the Sixers sleepwalked through one decent quarter before taking complete control, wasting little time winning a game that did not deserve to cause anyone much stress.

    With most of his teammates lagging behind early, Kelly Oubre Jr. completely dominated the opening frame, and then the rest of the bunch came along. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe got loose, Quentin Grimes had his best playmaking game of the season and Trendon Watford had the most impressive performance of his young Sixers tenure. It all coalesced into a satisfactory win for a Sixers team that is now 5-1.

    Takeaways from the action in Brooklyn: 

    Kelly Oubre Jr. erupts early

    Many members of the Sixers started out a bit slow on Sunday evening. It is safe to say that Oubre was not one of them. The veteran wingman exploded in the first quarter, torching the Nets to the tune of 22 points on only 12 shots. Oubre made all seven of his shot attempts inside the arc; he connected from long range twice with three misses (one of which was an end-of-quarter heave of sorts).

    Hoping to control the Sixers’ lethal backcourt of Maxey and Edgecombe, the Nets were willing to let Oubre cook, and the 29-year-old obliged. Oubre opened the game being defended by Nets guard Cam Thomas, regarded as one of the least impactful defensive players in the NBA. He did not even have to directly attack Thomas to score; Oubre scored the bulk of his early points either in the natural flow of the Sixers’ offense or in transition. In the final minutes of the frame, Oubre’s teammates started making a concerted effort to get him the ball, and he paid it off:

    For nearly a decade, the Sixers have had star-laden rosters that generate game-long mismatches for role players. But the organization has generally surrounded its stars with supporting pieces specializing in off-ball offense, and so opposing defenses have been able to get away with hiding weak links on those players despite size disadvantages. Oubre is not a traditional role player on offense, and that does have some drawbacks.

    But Oubre, for better or worse, always has a score-first mentality. One of the benefits of that is he will be eager to punish those mismatches and play weak defenders off the floor. Oubre has enjoyed tremendous success to begin his third season with the Sixers.

    Tyrese Maxey’s casual brilliance

    It is impossible to say enough about the basketball Maxey is playing to begin his sixth NBA season. The ease with which he is reaching strong box-score lines night in and night out is something to marvel at. Even on a night like Sunday, when the Sixers finally did not need Maxey to provide a herculean effort, he was the stabilizing force for much of the game.

    Maxey was already a star-caliber offensive player, but in 2025-26 he looks like someone who has made a substantial leap in just about every facet of his game on that end of the floor.

    Maxey’s playmaking and facilitating have improved quite a bit, and he has made tremendous use of a supporting cast that is a whole lot better than it was around this time last year. He has empowered players like Edgecombe and Grimes to be assertive when the ball swings their way and has also created extra scoring chances for bigs.

    Meanwhile, Maxey remains a dynamic three-level scoring threat, and no player in the entire NBA can match Maxey’s combination of speed and pull-up shooting. There are a few faster players, but none of them can shoot as well as Maxey; there are some better shooters, but none of them are as fast as Maxey. It is truly a one-of-a-kind blend of abilities.

    Maxey’s most significant gains might have come in terms of his foul-drawing skills, which head coach Nick Nurse said on Friday adds “variety” to his scoring. It also provides a tremendous floor in terms of baseline offensive production: even the greatest scorers will have games where they struggle to knock down shots, but the ones adept at generating whistles can always rely on trips to the line for easy points.

    Odds and ends

    Some additional notes:

    • Nurse indicated before Sunday’s game that a formal update on Barlow (elbow) would come shortly. The two-way power forward has not played since halftime of the second game of the season after suffering an elbow laceration which required a procedure. Nurse said it is “nothing super serious,” but acknowledged that the injury is something “maybe more difficult than we thought.”

    • Hours before his third appearance as a member of the Sixers, Watford received praise from his last head coach during his time with the Brooklyn Nets.

    “He could post up, he could bring the ball [up], he could shoot the ball, he could pass, bigger body, he could guard multiple positions,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernández said. “He’s an overall player.”

    Watford’s first doses of action with the Sixers have been hit or miss; he has at times looked the part of a player whose training camp and preseason were lost to a hamstring injury. But the vision for Watford’s fit as a 6-foot-9 ball-handler is clear. It will take time, but there is upside, and it was on display at times during Sunday’s game. Watford was particularly good during the second quarter, with his pass-first mentality paying dividends.

    • Nurse went with an eight-man regular rotation in this game, and that meant both Justin Edwards and Eric Gordon were out of the mix despite the team’s absences. Edwards has struggled enormously of late, and it is becoming more difficult to justify playing him. He ended up playing in the fourth quarter of this game because Oubre turned his ankle and needed a brief trip to the locker room. But it is hard to imagine Edwards’ playing time being bolstered at any point in the near future, as George is getting closer to making a return and should eat up a significant number of wing minutes.

    Up next: The Sixers’ road trip will continue with a back-to-back, as they will face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night with a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers the following evening.

    Follow Adam on Twitter: @SixersAdam
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    Adam Aaronson

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