3 observations after Maxey leaves with thumb contusion, Sixers drop preseason finale

3 observations after Maxey leaves with thumb contusion, Sixers drop preseason finale initially appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers lastly reached the preseason end line.

They concluded their six-game exhibition schedule Friday evening in Orlando with a 114-99 loss to the Magic, dropping to 3-3 within the preseason.

Tyrese Maxey subbed out within the first quarter due to a proper thumb contusion.

Joel Embiid (left knee management), Paul George (left knee bone bruise) and Jared McCain (pulmonary contusion) had been out.

The Sixers’ opening evening of the common season is about for Wednesday vs. the Bucks. Listed here are observations on the group’s final absolutely meaningless recreation for a very long time:

Abbreviated preseason finale for Maxey 

Maxey solely performed 5 minutes, popping out shortly after indicating discomfort together with his hand. Late within the second quarter, a Sixers official stated Maxey’s damage was a proper thumb contusion and that he wouldn’t return.

Fluky, unlucky accidents can occur anytime and Maxey’s doesn’t look like a critical one. Nonetheless, the choice to play Maxey on Friday within the first place is open to scrutiny, particularly given the Sixers’ different preseason accidents.

In a big-picture sense, it is going to be attention-grabbing to comply with how the Sixers method Maxey’s minutes. With the group planning to train regular-season caution about Embiid and George’s health, simply how giant a load will Maxey carry? His 37.5 minutes per recreation final yr ranked second in the NBA. In the course of the playoffs, he averaged 44.5.

He’s a vigorous 23-year-old who doesn’t want a lot relaxation in any respect to be nice, however the Sixers will clearly wish to do no matter’s essential to have Maxey wholesome within the postseason as properly.

Who’s going to begin on opening evening? 

Eric Gordon and KJ Martin remained within the Sixers’ beginning lineup, enjoying subsequent to Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond. Caleb Martin stayed on the second unit.

The Sixers solely took a number of seconds to get on the scoreboard; Drummond gained the opening leap ball and tapped it to Oubre for a dunk. Gordon then sunk a three-pointer seconds after a KJ Martin steal.

Martin additionally made an early catch-and-shoot three, flashing the offseason taking pictures enchancment Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has praised. General, Martin looks like he’s considerably raised his inventory throughout the preseason. It might be stunning at this level to not see him within the group’s rotation towards Milwaukee.

When it comes to the (full-strength) starters, how will Nurse start the common season? Together with All-Stars Maxey, George and Embiid, Oubre seems to be a lock. He performed 23 minutes within the preseason finale and led the Sixers in scoring for a second straight recreation, posting 17 factors on 6-for-10 taking pictures, 4 rebounds and two assists.

As a 35-year-old guard who as soon as gained Sixth Man of the 12 months, Gordon needs to be high-quality both manner. Caleb Martin is a naturally adaptable player and we presume he’ll shut many video games for the Sixers. There’s affordable arguments to be made for almost any lineup. Finally, only a few early-season beginning fives within the NBA needs to be seen as egregious errors. The Sixers ought to have a significantly better concept quickly of what works and what doesn’t.

Highlights from Yabusele and Drummond

Guerschon Yabusele’s numbers weren’t huge — 9 factors, six rebounds and two assists — however he made a number of spectacular performs Friday.

His highlights included a weakside block on Gary Harris, a pick-and-pop three, and a pointy help to KJ Martin via a decent window.

Yabusele displayed his offensive abilities this preseason and attacked successfully, however he’s additionally been good at steering away from pointless dangers. If he retains that up within the common season, we think about Nurse will like the concept of Yabusele in a wide range of conditions.

Drummond, in distinction, dedicated a few careless first-quarter turnovers. On the optimistic aspect, he was extremely prolific as normal on the glass, recording 20 rebounds. He added 12 factors and three steals, too.