Philadelphia 76ers
The injury-depleted 76ers absorbed their largest defeat of the season Tuesday, falling to the Orlando Magic by 41 points. “We got spanked,” guard Tyrese Maxey told reporters, explaining that “two or three games every year” seem to unravel the same way. Maxey added that Orlando “was hitting everything,” citing a Jett Howard attempt that caromed off the top of the backboard before dropping through.
Philadelphia played without Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford, while several other rotation players nursed assorted injuries. Head coach Nick Nurse’s club is focused on staying competitive until its regulars return.
Toronto Raptors
Brandon Ingram validated the three-year, $120 million extension he signed after February’s trade by sinking a pull-up jumper over Pascal Siakam with time winding down Wednesday, giving Toronto a grinding win over Indiana. The shot marked the Raptors’ ninth consecutive victory and their 13th in the past 14 outings.
“That’s why I’m here,” Ingram said after finishing with 26 points and eight rebounds. Behind elite defense, late-game calm and Ingram’s consistent scoring, Toronto remains near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Brooklyn Nets
First-round pick Drake Powell continued to look NBA-ready Monday, producing 15 points and four assists in 24 minutes of a loss to the Knicks. Head coach Jordi Fernandez praised the rookie’s defensive potential, calling him “a very, very good defender with a really high ceiling.”
Powell is expected to retain a regular spot in the rotation, providing a bright spot during Brooklyn’s difficult start to the year.
Source: Hoops Wire
