76ers vs. Magic: Live Updates From Sixers' Friday Night Seeding Game
Thursday was a tough day for the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite grabbing a win on Wednesday afternoon, the Sixers had a hard time celebrating knowing one of the team's All-Stars could potentially miss time moving forward.
Ben Simmons' knee injury from the third quarter of Wednesday's game was diagnosed as a left kneecap subluxation. In simpler terms, a dislocated kneecap. What's next for Simmons is still up in the air, but we know for sure he won't be available for Friday night's game against the Orlando Magic.
With Simmons out, the Sixers need everybody in the rotation to step it up a notch on both sides of the ball. And moving forward, we can expect Joel Embiid to control the game a lot more as Brett Brown wants his big man acquiring even more touches than he already has in the previous three matchups.
Friday will offer the Sixers a good look at how they could look for a little while without Simmons in the mix. And the Magic are coming into the matchup hungry as they look to remain in the Eastern Conference's playoff picture. Plus, Orlando possesses a couple of former Sixers who could very well view Friday as a statement game against their former teams.
Follow along here as we'll be updating before and throughout the game beginning with Brett Brown's pregame press conference, which is set to start at 4:45 PM EST.
Game Details
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic
Time: 6:30 PM EST.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Odds: 76ers -4.5, O/U 223.5
Broadcast: TNT, NBC Sports Philadelphia +
Pregame Reading
Sixers Injury Report
Mike Scott (knee): Available
Glenn Robinson III (hip): Doubtful
Ben Simmons (knee): Out
Magic Injury Report
Michael Carter-Williams (foot): Out
Aaron Gordon (hamstring): Out
Jonathan Isaac (knee): Out
Brett Brown's Pregame Notes
- Al Horford is going to start tonight for the Sixers. Brett Brown doesn't plan to split Horford and Joel Embiid as much with Ben Simmons out. I went more in-depth with this yesterday here.
- Brett Brown doesn't believe Tobias Harris has more pressure on him with Simmons out of the lineup. Instead, he called it "an extended opportunity." He believes without Simmons this is an opportunity to galvanize the team.
- There is not an update on Ben Simmons right now. "When information becomes available, our club will share it with the public but as it sits, there is no update."
- Brett Brown talked about how fortunate he was "to be around one of the greatest low post players ever" in Spurs legend Tim Duncan and also Greg Popovich because it helps him apply the knowledge he learned in San Antonio to coaching Joel Embiid in Philly. Once again, Brown raved about Embiid's low post play down in the bubble.
Sixers' Starting Lineup
PG: Shake Milton
SG: Josh Richardson
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: Al Horford
C: Joel Embiid
That was a Rough Couple of Minutes...
What a slow start. The game went on for a couple of minutes without a single score. Thankfully, Josh Richardson broke the ice and nailed a three-point shot to take the lead for the Sixers.
Tobias Harris Looks Gimpy
Not something you want to see. While coming down from a dunk, Harris landed awkwardly on James Ennis' foot. The veteran forward looked a little gimpy afterward but he remained in the game and seems to be OK.
Al Horford is Looking Solid Early
Philly fans likely aren't thrilled to see Al Horford back in the starting lineup with Ben Simmons out, but so far Horford seems to be doing pretty well down in Orlando. So far, he's got six points, draining three of his five attempted shots from the field during the first five minutes of the game.
Ben Simmons is not in the Building
Injured Sixers players have attended the first few seeding games despite being ruled out. Tonight, Simmons is not in the building with the Sixers, as he's resting back in his room in the bubble. The broadcast also noted that Simmons's MRI on Wednesday night did not require him to leave the bubble, so no quarantine will be necessary if and when he returns back to action.
Fultz Sighting
Markelle Fultz checked in for the first time tonight and immediately grabbed a bucket. Sixers still have a five-point lead at the moment.
Mike Scott Checks in
Sixers veteran forward Mike Scott hasn't had the chance to appear in any seeding games until tonight. It was unclear what Scott's role was going to be upon his return, but he checked in with a little less than three minutes left to go in the first. He will likely continue to be involved in the rotation as long as Simmons is out.
END OF FIRST QUARTER. SIXERS LEAD MAGIC 25-23.
Alec Burks Letting it fly
When the Sixers traded for Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III from Golden State, it was a move to upgrade three-point shooting. Before the suspension, Burks and Robinson struggled from deep. Down in the bubble, however, Burks has been consistently knocking down shots from long range. Through a little over one-quarter tonight, he's got 11 points off the bench, shooting 2-3 from three so far.
Magic Going on a run
Currently, the Magic are on a 13-5 run and now have the lead. Embiid and the Sixers are to drain and shots and they are being careless with the ball as time winds down in the second quarter.
END OF SECOND QUARTER. MAGIC LEAD SIXERS 50-48.
Halftime Leaders
Alec Burks: 5-9, 13 PTS, 2-5 3PT
Tobias Harris: 4-15, 11 PTS, 1-4 3PT, 8 REB
A Quick Update For the Magic
In Case you Missed This During Halftime
Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference...
The Brooklyn Nets have clinched a spot in the playoffs by defeating Sacramento. If the Sixers give up tonight's game against Orlando, the Magic will clinch a spot as well, leaving the Washington Wizards out of the postseason.
Shake Milton is Struggling
Milton's four points in three quarters stands out, but he's really struggling on defense tonight as well. Magic point guard D.J. Augustin is heating up as he's totaled for 13 points now as Milton is primarily defending him.
Furkan Korkmaz Heads Back to the Locker Room
Another Sixers player seems to be dealing with an injury. This time, it's Furkan Korkmaz. The third-year guard left the game with what looks like a wrist injury. Right now, he's questionable to return.
END OF THIRD QUARTER. MAGIC LEAD 76ERS 79-77.
Korkmaz Coming Back?
When Korkmaz was holding his arm heading back to the locker room, it seemed his night could be over. However, ESPN's Tim Bontemps reports that Korkmaz is back on the bench and could be checking back into the game soon.
What's the Diagnosis?
Furkan Korkmaz left the game with a left finger sprain. Per the Sixers, he's available to play and will be able to come back into the game if needed. Sixers dodged a bullet there.
Sixers Starting to Pull Away
Tonight's game has been pretty neck and neck for the most part. Late in the fourth, though, the Sixers snagged the lead and are starting to pull away from the Magic as they lead 96-87 with a little over three minutes left to go.
END OF GAME. SIXERS DEFEAT MAGIC 108-101.
