Embiid’s 46-Minute Effort Highlights Sixers’ OT Win; Oubre’s Surge, Two-Way Limit Also in Focus
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Joel Embiid played his longest regular-season stint in more than three years on Thursday, logging 46 minutes and posting 32 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in the 76ers’ 128-122 overtime victory over the Rockets in Philadelphia.
“It’s certainly a pretty big step forward,” head coach Nick Nurse said after the game, noting the former MVP’s recent knee issues. Philadelphia outscored Houston by 21 while Embiid was on the floor.
Embiid has averaged 28.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists over his last 15 appearances. Teammate Paul George, no stranger to injuries himself, said the center “is starting to form back into the Joel Embiid that we all have seen him dominate in this league.”
Oubre Making Case to Stay
Forward Kelly Oubre Jr., on an expiring deal and viewed as a possible trade piece, has averaged 21.7 points on .558/.611/.545 shooting since rejoining the starting lineup Monday. Oubre initially replaced George while the veteran managed a sore left knee, but Nurse kept Oubre with the starters Thursday and shifted Dominick Barlow to the bench.
“Kelly obviously has been a pretty big spark plug, getting to the rim and just guarding,” Nurse said. “He’s pretty experienced as well.”
Two-Way Crunch Approaching
Barlow and fellow two-way forward Jabari Walker were active again Thursday, bringing Philadelphia’s combined two-way appearances to 88. NBA rules cap that total at 90 when a team carries fewer than 15 standard contracts, leaving the Sixers just two games shy of the limit. To keep using both players beyond Saturday, the club must either convert one to a standard deal or add a 15th player.
Grimes’ Role Under Review
Quentin Grimes averaged 17.0 points and 4.4 assists on .456/.381/.854 shooting in his first 21 games but has dropped to 9.8 points and 3.0 assists on .396/.317/.875 over his last 20. Nurse said he wants the guard attacking the rim more and is considering returning him to the starting unit. “Maybe we’ll start sticking him back into the starting lineup a little bit to see if that helps,” the coach added.
Source: Hoops Rumors
