The Philadelphia 76ers launched their 2023 preseason campaign with an away game against the Boston Celtics. Notably, key players Joel Embiid and James Harden were sidelined, resulting in a 114-106 loss to Boston.

 

The absence of Embiid and Harden limited the scope for drawing significant conclusions from this game. However, the Sixers fielded the rest of their roster (excluding De’Anthony Melton and Furkan Korkmaz), while Boston featured all their essential players, including Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, along with newcomers Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. This indicated that both teams took the game seriously, with Joe Mazzulla even challenging a call in the final two minutes, and Nick Nurse calling a timeout when trailing by eight with just 15 seconds left.

 

Despite the absence of their two star players, the Sixers’ first preseason outing showcased some intriguing developments that could impact their regular-season performance. Let’s delve into three key takeaways from the Sixers’ preseason opener.

Tyrese Maxey’s Offensive Prowess: Tyrese Maxey showcased his scoring ability right from the start, displaying confidence as an offensive creator. In a spectacular first half, he notched 19 points on 7-11 shooting, setting the tone for the game. Maxey concluded the night with an impressive 24 points in just 29 minutes on the court.

 

Jaden Springer’s Seamless Transition: Jaden Springer’s adaptation to the NBA level is of paramount importance for the Sixers. Despite his youth, Springer exhibited the physicality necessary for the big league. He demonstrated his versatility by fighting for rebounds and making a layup through the imposing presence of Kristaps Porzingis. Additionally, Springer’s astute off-ball movement bodes well for his potential contribution to the team’s offense.

 

Kelly Oubre Jr.’s All-Around Impact: Kelly Oubre Jr. is often associated with being a high-volume shooter lacking defensive commitment. However, his performance in this game suggested a willingness to embrace the team’s requirements under Coach Nurse. Oubre displayed energy and readiness to contribute at both ends of the court.

Patrick Beverley’s Prominent Role: While Patrick Beverley received fewer minutes than some other players, his utilization by Coach Nurse indicated that he could have a significant role within the rotation. Beverley not only started the game but assumed the primary defensive assignment against formidable opponents. His defensive tenacity and versatility make him an asset for the Sixers.

 

Nick Nurse’s Strategic Foundation: Despite some key players’ absence, Coach Nick Nurse had to craft a game plan for the Sixers. The lineups deployed during this preseason game could provide valuable insights for the regular season. Nurse made intriguing decisions, including starting Paul Reed and Patrick Beverley, signaling Reed’s role as the primary backup center and Beverley’s position as PG2, a role previously held by Shake Milton. Nurse also experimented with various schemes that could come into play during the regular season.