Trendon Watford delivered 20 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in his first start for the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, powering a victory over the Toronto Raptors and prompting Joel Embiid to liken the 25-year-old forward to a “prime Ben Simmons.” The triple-double marked season highs in every category for Watford.
Head coach Nick Nurse praised the versatile reserve, calling him “a hooper” who “really knows how to play.” Nurse said he tried to acquire Watford from Brooklyn last season before successfully signing him in free agency. Through six games the former undrafted forward is averaging 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists while earning $2.5 million this year; Philadelphia controls a $2.8 million team option for 2026/27.
Watford missed training camp, the preseason and the first three regular-season contests because of a hamstring strain. “Hamstrings are difficult because you can’t do anything when you have that injury,” he told The Athletic. “All you can do is kind of sit around and get out of shape.”
Saturday’s win also underscored a looming rotation dilemma. With Paul George reportedly close to returning, Nurse must decide whether to displace Kelly Oubre Jr., who is averaging 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks over nine games. “I think Kelly has been really outstanding,” Nurse said after Oubre spent much of the night guarding Brandon Ingram. “He’s been really good and done a good job of playing physical.”
Embiid contributed a season-best 29 points against Toronto but emphasized ball movement. “It’s just about moving the ball—passing to the open guy,” the reigning MVP said. “I’m not too worried about the offense.”
Philadelphia’s offseason luck in retaining its lottery pick—and the ensuing selection of guard VJ Edgecombe when no consensus existed on the draft’s third-best prospect—has also altered the organization’s long-term outlook, according to Yossi Gozlan’s “Third Apron” column.
Source: Hoops Rumors
