Sixers squeak by Wizards after Ben Simmons exits early with left knee injury
The importance of the Sixers’ 107-98 win over the Wizards on Wednesday pales in comparison to Ben Simmons’ status.
The two-time All-Star suffered a left knee injury in the third quarter and did not return. Joel Embiid (30 points, 11 rebounds) led the way for the Sixers, who improved to 41-27 and next face the Magic on Friday night. His dunk with 19.3 seconds to go finally sealed the victory over the 24-44 Wizards.
Here are observations on the game:
Simmons’ early exit
Simmons (eight points on 2 for 10 shooting, six rebounds, four assists) headed to the locker room in the middle of the third period. He flexed his left leg after throwing a pass for Al Horford and immediately headed off the floor.
That injury clearly casts a shadow on the game for the Sixers given Simmons’ obvious, immense value as a versatile offensive piece and excellent defender.
Early indications on Ben Simmons are encouraging — no swelling or pain in left knee after leaving court, sources tell ESPN.
We’ll update this story when we have more information.
Inconsistent (but better) defense
As far as Brett Brown is concerned, the explanation for most of the Sixers’ defensive issues in their first two seeding games is simple.
“When we choose to play defense on a more repetitive, regular basis – not (just) the third period and don’t pay attention to the first half, as an example – when we get that disposition, that physicality, I think things are going to connect,” he said before the game.
The collective effort and focus was solid in the first quarter against the Wizards but lapsed at times afterwards. Shake Milton was beaten off the dribble on several occasions in the first half. Tobias Harris ceded an offensive rebound to Troy Brown Jr. early in the third quarter, and Brown laid it in to tie the game at 58 apiece during a 23-11 Wizards run to begin the third period. Overall, the Sixers are playing below their potential defensively and will pay in the playoffs if they don’t elevate their level.
Simmons, of course, is a main reason why the team’s defensive ceiling seemed so high entering this season.
Trimming the rotation
Brown decided to cut his rotation from 10 players to nine against the Wizards, leaving Raul Neto out. Mike Scott (right knee soreness) and Glenn Robinson III (left hip pointer) remained sidelined.
The Sixers’ head coach acknowledged there are still rotation-related questions he’s assessing ahead of the playoffs.
“I think the desire to play 10 initially, I don’t regret,” he said pregame. “I’ve admitted I’m trying to learn stuff and keep the team’s spirit at a place that I think ends up important. I do think that it has been difficult to find real minutes for 10 players – it’s just so much that can go around. … Ultimately, you get to the playoffs, it’s certainly going to be nine.”
Alec Burks was the sole backup point guard and also played on the wing in a lineup alongside Simmons, Harris, Horford and Josh Richardson. He had nine points, two assists and no turnovers in 19:34, with his playing time extended because of Simmons’ injury.
He knows what’s coming
All of the double teams Embiid is encountering come as no surprise to the big man.
“I’ve just gotta keep on getting better because I know that every single game I’m going to get doubled,” he said Monday night, “so I’ve gotta just figure that out … and create shots for my teammates. If I’m open and I’ve got a duck-in, just go out and do it. But other than that, just try to make sure defenders attract a lot of attention, just for my teammates.”
Washington’s double teams were predictably frequent and aggressive, and Embiid again handled them reasonably well. With the exception of one first-quarter play where he turned toward the baseline on a fadeaway jumper attempt straight into Isaac Bonga, he took what the defense presented to him.
And, when the Wizards couldn’t send an extra body, he recognized his advantage and went straight to work.
?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2020Drivin' n dunkin.
It's just what the big fella does. | @Wendys pic.twitter.com/23W1s58a6O
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly)
Drivin' n dunkin.
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 5, 2020
It's just what the big fella does. | @Wendys pic.twitter.com/23W1s58a6O
Milton (14 points, four assists) and Richardson (15 points, three assists) helped Embiid out by hitting a couple of jumpers down the stretch.
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