76ers vs. Thunder: Live Updates for Sixers' Sunday Scrimmage in Orlando
Friday was a good day. For the first time since March 11, the Philadelphia 76ers played in a competitive basketball game. There weren't any fans cheering for them or booing against them, and the game didn't even count for anything.
But none of that mattered. After dealing with what pretty much became an in-season offseason, it was just good to have the Sixers and the NBA back in action. On Friday, the 76ers took on the Memphis Grizzlies for the first of three scrimmages in Orlando.
While both teams were understandably rusty, Sixers players looked like they were in excellent shape. And throughout the first half as starters played for a majority of the time, the Sixers dominated Memphis as they went into the half with a 26-point lead.
In typical 76ers fashion, as Sixers Twitter would say, Philly started to lose hold of their big lead in the third quarter. Although they never allowed the Grizzlies to complete a comeback and get into the lead, the Sixers' reserves offered a competitive Brett Brown a bit of a scare towards the end in the meaningless game.
In the end, though, the Sixers came out on top and won their first scrimmage 90-83. Following the game, 76ers veteran forward Tobias Harris rang the bell as he notched a double-double with a team-high of 15 points, and ten total rebounds.
Now, the Sixers will continue their scrimmage schedule this afternoon with a 12:00 tip-off against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Just like Friday, I'll offer live updates and observations before and throughout the game on this thread, beginning with notes from Brett Brown's pregame press conference. Thanks for tuning in, and enjoy the game!
Game Details
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Time: 12:00 PM EST.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA TV
Pregame Reading
Joel Embiid is OUT vs. Thunder Today
The first notable injury to occur to a Sixers player down in the bubble happened on Friday. During the first scrimmage game against the Grizzlies, Joel Embiid reportedly experienced tightness in his lower calf, which kept him out of the second half of the scrimmage after checking in for about 12 minutes. The 76ers are considering his injury to be day-to-day.
Sixers' Starting Lineup
PG: Shake Milton
SG: Josh Richardson
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Al Horford
Brett Brown's Pregame Notes
- Brett Brown isn't all that concerned about the often-injured Joel Embiid as he deals with a setback after the team's first scrimmage. "It's an opportunity to play [Al Horford] more," Brown said. The Sixers' head coach says if this would've happened during the eight seeding games, then it would be frustrating. Here, it sounds like the Sixers are being cautious more than anything.
- Brett Brown praised the NBA for setting up the bubble environment. "I'm shocked at how good stuff is down here," Brown said. "The NBA is a machine, you have to give tremendous credit to Adam Silver and the people that have pulled this off."
- Brown considered Shake Milton's defense on Friday to be "up and down." However, he says it was better than he could expect. Now the key for Milton is to remain consistent.
Raul Neto is Also OUT on Sunday
In addition to Joel Embiid's absence, Sixers' backup point guard Raul Neto will also miss Sunday's scrimmage. The veteran point guard is currently experiencing lower-back tightness. The injury occurred during pregame warmups. Neto will be re-evaluated on Monday, per Serena Winters of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Don't Forget...
Friday's scrimmage against the Memphis Grizzlies had just ten minutes of playing time per quarter. During Sunday's scrimmage, we can expect a full 48-minute game for the Sixers. Based on what Brett Brown said earlier this week, the key starters are likely to receive around 20 minutes of action.
Furkan Checks in
After trotting out a starting lineup with Shake Milton, Josh Richardson, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Al Horford the Sixers made their first substitution. Sixers' third-year guard Furkan Korkmaz entered the game for Milton. Last week, Brett Brown mentioned he's looking for Korkmaz to be an important piece in the rotation for playoffs this year. It seems Korkmaz is still in favor of the coach after playing a decent season off the bench this year.
Al Horford's Shot is Looking Good...
Sixers fans typically don't enjoy the big man Al Horford launching threes, but he's feeling himself today. With Embiid out, Horford is expected to step up on both sides of the ball. Halfway through the first quarter, Horford has knocked down three three-point shots. A solid day for him so far.
Norvel Pelle Getting Minutes Early
With Joel Embiid out and Al Horford getting the start, Sixers' rookie Norvel Pelle is picking up playing time early. He played just under ten minutes in the first scrimmage totaling for nine points and two blocked shots. Being that he has entered the game as the backup this early on, it's clear Pelle is ahead of Kyle O'Quinn on the depth chart.
END OF 1ST QUARTER. SIXERS LEAD THUNDER 31-26.
Simmons Remains Off the Ball
Brett Brown mentioned that just because Simmons is moved to forward, doesn't mean he's permanently finished bringing the ball up when the lineup rotates. During Friday's scrimmage, Josh Richardson brought the ball up with Simmons in and Milton out. Today, Alec Burks is getting some reps as a backup point guard as well.
Glenn Robinson III Heads to the Locker Room
Glenn Robinson III checked in early during the second quarter. As he went for a loose ball, he collided with a Thunder player and was slow getting up. Robinson toughened it out and remained in the game but eventually came off the floor. He was visibly in pain and ended up heading back to the locker room to get checked out.
GRIII Back to the Bench
After heading to the locker room just moments ago, Robinson III is back to the bench. However, he's still getting medical attention from the trainers. It's unclear if his day is finished or not. I would have to imagine if he's not feeling one-hundred percent, Robinson will likely sit the rest of the game out as it's just a scrimmage.
Glenn Robinson III is Diagnosed With a Left Hip Pointer
The veteran guard is dealing with left hip pointer after a collision. The Sixers aren't making a decision on his status for the rest of the game just yet. According to Serena Winters of NBC Sports Philly, the 76ers will decide what to do with Robinson at halftime.
Simmons' Passing Has Been Fantastic
END OF 2ND QUARTER. SIXERS LEAD THUNDER 55-44.
Glenn Robinson III is OUT for the Rest of the Game
During the second quarter, Glenn Robinson III collided with a Thunder player. After getting up slowly, Robinson III remained in the game but came out of the game after the next stop. He immediately went to the locker room as he was visibly in pain. After being diagnosed with a left-hip pointer, Robinson III has officially been ruled out for the rest of the game. He ends the game with seven points.
That Could be it for Simmons
Ben Simmons is having a heck of a game today. He might not have satisfied the fans who are looking for Simmons' three-pointer but he didn't need to shoot from deep to create an impact.
Not only was he productive in the scoring department, but Simmons' passing and defense looked great as expected. With time winding down in the third quarter, you have to imagine Brett Brown has seen enough and will allow him to get the rest of the day off.
END OF 3RD QUARTER. SIXERS LEAD THUNDER 81-70
Triple Rookie Action
At this point in the fourth quarter, Brett Brown is seemingly finished with trotting out the team's star as Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris have been on the bench. Now, the Sixers have three rookies on the floor with Matisse Thybulle, Marial Shayok, and Norvel Pelle out there. Shayok's scrimmage season has been quiet so far, but Pelle and Thybulle are making an impact this afternoon.
Simmons Finished on Triple-Double Watch
Simmons wrapped up his afternoon in the third quarter. The third-year All-Star appeared on the court for 26 minutes. During that time he led the Sixers in scoring with 14 points. In addition to scoring, Simmons snagged a double-double with eleven rebounds and almost made it a triple-double as he was one assist shy of ten. The 76ers surely missed his game back when he was injured.
A Quote From Inside the Thunder
I saw an e-mail pop up from my fellow SI colleague as I watch the game. It was a message from Insider the Thunder's Erik Gee. It read: "I haven't seen anyone get the best of Schroder the way Thyebulle is today." He's not exaggerating, Thybulle has been a pest in the best way possible on the floor this afternoon. The break definitely didn't affect the rookie's defense skillset.
What Happened?
At a point, the Sixers were in front of the Thunder by 24 points. Now, we've got a game, folks. Currently, the Sixers and the Thunder are neck and neck going basket for basket. Is it a big deal? Not exactly -- it's just a scrimmage and the 76ers are allowing players who wouldn't typically be on the floor late in the game pick up some minutes.
END OF GAME. THUNDER DEFEAT SIXERS 102-97
Another Scrimmage in the Books...
Well, that wasn't the finest ending for the Sixers but this game won't count for anything. With the starters in, the 76ers looked stellar as they dominated the Thunder all afternoon long. Once Brett Brown trotted the deep roster guys out, though, the Thunder took control of the game and completed the comeback.
We'll be back to live blogging the game when the 76ers take on the Dallas Mavericks for the third and final scrimmage down in Orlando on Tuesday. After that, the Sixers will gear up for the regular season resumption against the Indiana Pacers. In the meantime, check out all of the post-scrimmage coverage here at Sports Illustrated's All76ers.com! Thanks for tuning in, see you on Tuesday.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_
