76ers vs. Grizzlies: Live Updates for Sixers' First Scrimmage in Orlando

Author:
Justin Grasso
Updated:
Jul 24, 2020 5:44 PM EDT
Original:
Jul 24, 2020

Back on March 11, I sat in a room full of reporters listening to a stunned Elton Brand and Brett Brown talk about the NBA's suspension. This was moments after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the infamous COVID-19.

At the time, I myself was stunned about what just happened in a matter of 20 minutes. The Philadelphia 76ers just defeated the Detroit Pistons for the 65th game of the year, and the victory felt like it meant absolutely nothing considering the circumstances.

The NBA was suspended indefinitely without a return in sight. Part of me was hopeful the season would be back in action in less than two months. Another part of me felt like I just witnessed the final game of the Sixers' 2019-2020 season.

It's been more than two months since the NBA has played ball, but the season isn't a wash after all. Two days ago, a couple of teams started up the second preseason of the year with some scrimmage action down in the NBA's bubble in Orlando, Florida.

Today, the 76ers will get a chance to fire up their three-game scrimmage schedule with a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies at 3:30 pm EST. Usually, I'm watching a pregame shootaround in an empty arena waiting for Brett Brown to partake in a pregame presser right about now.

For the season's restart, though, I'm at home watching the game on TV like everybody else. Is it an unfortunate situation? Of course. But how could I complain? Months ago, there were rumors regarding the potential of Adam Silver, making the executive decision to call it a season without crowning a champion.

Now, we're getting live scrimmages, with an eight-game regular season and a typical playoff scenario. It's been a weird season for sure, but the pandemic is making us realize that at this point, we have to take what sports can give us.

Unfortunate situation or not, I'm thrilled the NBA is back in action. And as the day goes on, I'll add updates to this thread following Brown's pregame press conference, during the game, Brown's postgame press conference, and whatever comes from the virtual locker room media availability. Enjoy the game!

Game Details

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Time: 3:30 PM EST

Location: Orlando, Florida

Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Pregame Reading

The Sixers' Starting Lineup

PG: Shake Milton

SG: Josh Richardson

SF: Tobias Harris

PF: Ben Simmons

C: Joel Embiid

Brett Brown's Pregame Notes

The new lineup will debut on Friday afternoon. Ben Simmons will move to power forward, and Shake Milton has cracked the starting lineup as the point guard. Al Horford will find minutes coming off of the bench.

The Sixers intend to play everybody today. Being that it's basically a preseason game, Brett Brown wants to avoid having his key players pick up a majority of the minutes.

Joel Embiid is healthy and ready to play. Brown plans to play Embiid for 18-20 minutes for the scrimmages. No other player's minutes plan was revealed, but Brown mentioned earlier in the week that most of the key players won't exceed 20 minutes during the first two scrimmages at least.

Remember Sixers Fans, It's Just a Scrimmage...

We're finally onto the broadcast of the pregame show on NBC Sports Philadelphia. As I was scrolling through Twitter to see what everybody is talking about, I got a good laugh from The Atheltic's Derek Bodner.

1st Quarter Updates

Tobias Without the Headband?

It's been a while since we've seen the Sixers on the floor, but something we've never seen until now is a headband-less Tobias Harris. This is going to take some getting used to for sure. Meanwhile, the team's newest starting point guard Shake Milton elected to wear a headband for the first scrimmage.

Ben Simmons Was Serious About Taking Threes

When Simmons said "if it's open I'll take it" during the offseason this year, we had to take that with a grain of salt. He ended up attempting just two actual three-pointers through the first 65 regular-season games. Coming back from the hiatus, though, Brett Brown and other Sixers players mentioned he hasn't been all that hesitant in practice. So far, he attempted a three already a few minutes into the first quarter. He didn't make it, but that's a promising sight.

The First Substitution

After trotting out a starting lineup of Shake Milton, Josh Richardson, Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid, the Sixers switched out Milton for Furkan Korkmaz and Embiid for Al Horford. Although he's still on the floor, Simmons isn't taking up the ball for the Sixers. Instead, Josh Richardson is switched over to point guard.

END OF 1ST QUARTER. SIXERS LEAD GRIZZLIES 25-12.

2nd Quarter Updates

Glenn Robinson III Making Some Noise

After coming to the 76ers from Golden State at the trade deadline, Glenn Robinson III struggled to find hit his stride early on with the Sixers. Once he was finally getting a groove, though, the season was suspended. Robinson III mentioned weeks back that the hiatus helped him grow closer to his teammates -- and team chemistry should translate well onto the court. The veteran trade acquisition entered the game early into the second quarter and made an immediate impact already with a corner three and a slam dunk.

Ben's Back to Ball Handling

Ben Simmons is no longer the Sixers' starting point guard, but Brett Brown made it clear he's not going to be relieved of bringing the ball up for good. Throughout the first quarter, Shake Milton and Josh Richardson brought the ball up but late in the second quarter Simmons took over as Richardson took a seat on the bench.

Matisse Thybulle Poster

END OF 2ND QUARTER. SIXERS LEAD GRIZZLIES 54-28.

3rd Quarter Updates

Starters Are Still Getting Minutes

Brett Brown only revealed a minutes plan for Joel Embiid, which was 18-20 minutes. The other "heavyweights" will probably end up picking up the same amount of playing time. In the first half, Embiid totaled for 12 minutes while guys like Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons picked up 16 minutes. Both Simmons and Harris started the second half while Embiid remained on the bench.

Ben Simmons Nails a Corner Three!

Joel Embiid's Day is Finished?

Brett Brown mentioned he would like to get Joel Embiid in for at least 18-20 minutes. After checking in for 12 minutes during the first half, Embiid is a no-show in the third quarter. At this point with time winding down, and backups checking in, it seems Embiid's afternoon on the court is finished. If that's true, he will end the game with ten points, six rebounds, and an assist in just under 13 minutes.

END OF 3RD QUARTER. SIXERS LEAD GRIZZLIES 72-62.

4th Quarter Updates

Who's Still Playing?

Well, as expected, it looks like most of the key starters are finished for the afternoon. Guys like Embiid, Simmons, and Harris have been on the bench for the last couple minutes of the third quarter. At this point, the only starters picking up minutes is Josh Richardson and Shake Milton. Some bench prospects such as Mike Scott, Alec Burks, Matisse Thybulle, and Norvel Pelle are picking up some playing time.

Norvel Pelle Drilling Threes as Well

Ben Simmons isn't the only player who rarely takes threes to come out in Orlando and start drilling long-range shots. Sixers reserve center Norvel Pelle is typically known for his rim protection, but he took the opportunity to launch a tough three-pointer and he made it. The Sixers' bench went wild, with Joel Embiid jumping over the wall to celebrate.

END OF 4TH QUARTER. SIXERS DEFEAT GRIZZLIES 90-83.

That's All for Today

That's a wrap for today's Sixers versus Grizzlies matchup. It was an ugly second half as the Sixers almost let this one slip away -- but they came out victorious with a 90-83 win. The next scrimmage will take place on Sunday, July 26, at 12:00 PM EST.

Philly will face the Oklahoma City Thunder. We will offer live updates once again throughout the game, starting with Brett Brown's pregame media availability. Thanks for tuning in this Friday afternoon. Check out all of the postgame coverage here at Sports Illustrated's All76ers.com! Enjoy the weekend!

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_