3 observations after Maxey exits early, Sixers notch their first preseason win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
NEW YORK — A shorthanded Sixers team notched its first win of the preseason Monday night at Barclays Center.
Led by Kelly Oubre Jr. (21 points), Tobias Harris and Paul Reed (18 points apiece), the Sixers earned a 127-119 victory over the Nets and improved to 1-2 this exhibition season.
De’Anthony Melton shot just 6 for 17 from the floor but still had a stellar two-way game with 15 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and four steals.
The Sixers were down five players to start in Joel Embiid, James Harden, PJ Tucker, Danuel House Jr. and Furkan Korkmaz.
Just before halftime, the team also ruled Tyrese Maxey out with back spasms. The 22-year-old had headed back to the locker room in the middle of the second quarter. He played 15 minutes and finished with eight points and three assists.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said after the game that the decision to remove Maxey was precautionary.
Embiid was “just under the weather,” Nurse said pregame. Harden has said he’s “ramping up” and targeting the Sixers’ last preseason game, which is Friday against the Hawks.
Tucker was a late scratch with right ankle soreness. House missed a second consecutive game because of left knee soreness. Korkmaz, who’s been sidelined by a left hamstring strain, worked out pregame and appears on track to return soon.
Mikal Bridges (rest) was among the key players out for the Nets. Brooklyn head coach Jacque Vaughn said he was sure Bridges, a Philadelphia native, would be keeping tabs on Game 1 of the NLCS between the Phillies and Diamondbacks. Bridges had a 2008 Phillies World Series hat on postgame.
Here are observations on the Sixers’ preseason win Monday over the Nets:
A jolt from the jump
There was a lot to like from the Sixers in a game-opening 12-0 run.
The Sixers set up a side pick-and-roll with Maxey and Reed on their first play and Reed broke the ice with a baseline jumper. On the Sixers’ second possession, the same action got Harris an open jumper on the opposite wing. Clean, crisp half-court…
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