3 observations after Maxey exits early, Sixers notch their first preseason win

Three Key Takeaways: Maxey’s Early Exit and Sixers’ First Preseason Win (originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia)

The Philadelphia 76ers, despite missing several key players, secured their first preseason victory against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Led by standout performances from Kelly Oubre Jr., Tobias Harris, and Paul Reed, the Sixers prevailed with a 127-119 win to improve their preseason record to 1-2. De’Anthony Melton also made significant contributions with 15 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, and four steals, despite shooting just 6 for 17 from the field.

The Sixers faced challenges as they were without Joel Embiid, James Harden, PJ Tucker, Danuel House Jr., and Furkan Korkmaz. Additionally, Tyrese Maxey exited the game before halftime due to back spasms, but head coach Nick Nurse assured that it was a precautionary measure.

Embiid was under the weather, while Harden is ramping up for the Sixers’ last preseason game against the Hawks on Friday. Tucker was scratched due to ankle soreness, House missed his second consecutive game due to knee soreness, and Korkmaz, recovering from a hamstring strain, appears to be on track to return soon.

Mikal Bridges, who was resting, was among the key absences for the Nets.

Here are three observations from the Sixers’ preseason win:

A Strong Start

The Sixers displayed an impressive 12-0 run to begin the game, demonstrating clean and crisp half-court offense despite missing key players. They exhibited dominance in transition, scoring 10 of the first 12 fast-break points while capitalizing on turnovers. Ben Simmons contributed eight points, eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals, although he had eight turnovers.

De’Anthony Melton, who expressed feeling more athletic after recovering from a back issue, showcased his explosiveness with a powerful dunk.

The Backup Bigs

Filip Petrušev entered the game early due to early fouls by Paul Reed. Although Petrušev demonstrated shot-blocking abilities, his lack of strength for an NBA big man was evident. On the other hand, Mo Bamba struggled in the previous preseason games, leading to the extended evaluation of Petrušev. Meanwhile, Reed and Petrušev both accumulated four fouls in the first half. Petrušev played 21 minutes and contributed seven points, five rebounds, and three assists.

It remains to be seen how head coach Nick Nurse will handle the backup big position in the Sixers’ preseason finale.

Stepping Up in Maxey’s Absence

Kelly Oubre Jr. showcased his scoring ability, even though he had an inefficient shooting night. Tobias Harris took on a more aggressive role after Maxey’s exit, filling the shot creation void. Additionally, Jaden Springer continued to impress with his defensive pressure and scoring ability, boosting his stock within the team.