What is the story about?
Jaylen Brown made his return to Boston Saturday, but we’ll have to wait until the regular season to see him face off against his former team.
Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were all out as the Sixers took on Paul George, making his preseason debut, and the Celtics Saturday night. With Boston using its regular rotation, the shorthanded Sixers got crushed 144-106.
VJ Edgecombe was sensational, dropping 19 points (6-of-11 from the field, 2-of-5 from three) and recording
four assists and four steals. Tyrese Maxey struggled from the field as he found himself in early foul trouble and saw a lot of bodies throughout the night. He was 2-of-10 for eight points. Jabari Walker, who continued his impressive preseason, pitched in 14 points and five rebounds. Rookie Labaron Philon, Jr. impressed with 14 points (4-of-8 from three) and seven assists.
Anfernee Simons (hamstring), Dominick Barlow (back), Adem Bona (foot) and Tacko Fall (hip) all remained out for the Sixers.
Only one more of these next Friday back at the crib before they start counting.
Here are some takeaways from the night.
First quarter
- Edgecombe pulled up confidently from three in transition, but missed. Maxey found him in the corner and Edgecombe finally buried his first triple of the preseason. Sandwich in between was a gorgeous up-and-under, and-one lefty finish.
- I loved the Dean Wade signing when they made it. I love it even more watching Wade through three preseason games. Some guys just know how to play … and too often those guys haven’t been members of the Sixers.
- Jabari Walker is having a terrific preseason. It’s no small task to go up against a true bruising center like Mitchell Robinson. Walker acquitted himself quite well. He’s playing himself into a role.
- Another game with an early scare. Edgecombe was flying down the floor in transition. As he left the ground in the paint and passed it to the corner to Rayan Rupert, he went down hard. He stayed down for a moment, but eventually got up — and looked mad he didn’t get a whistle. He exited the game briefly, but was back in before the period ended.
- With so many guys out, Labaron Philon, Rayan Rupert and Dillon Jones all got first-quarter minutes.
- Philon made yet another beautiful move into the paint and saw a floater go in and out, a theme for the rookie so far this preseason. His miss was rebounded and kicked back out to him and he buried a three. Like the moxie from the kid.
- Turnovers were a big issue in Brooklyn. The Sixers had seven in the first quarter Saturday. Maxey was just 1-of-6 from the field to start as he was aggressively trapped (because Joe Mazzulla is a crazy person). Edgecombe led the team with six points, going 2-of-5. Neither team shot the ball well, but the Celtics took a 24-20 lead after one
Second quarter
- Edgecombe kicked off the quarter with a beautiful drive and finish. His improved handle and finishing have been on full display. This is a star in the making.
- Wade started the period playing as the five against Robinson. Wade held his own when they dumped it down to Robinson in the post, forcing a miss.
- Justin Edwards got the start tonight. Unfortunately, his rough preseason continued. He looks indecisive and is struggling to contain anyone defensively.
- Don’t like to make officiating a thing (especially in the preseason), but my goodness, the Sixers are not getting a kind whistle.
- The Sixers are playing multiple Exhibit 10 signees and a two-way player against Boston’s rotation guys, so the score got ugly, but it also gave Edgecombe a chance to cook — and boy, did he cook. He’s been incredibly impressive in the preseason.
- Philon with a middie fadeaway in Derrick White’s eye. Fearless. He then made a beautiful read and found Rupert in the opposite corner. Rupert bricked the three. Rupert is another guy having a rough preseason.
- Maxey just blocked the shit out of George, who’s having a brutal night. Really great help defense by Saint Thomas. Thomas has actually looked decent in limited minutes.
- Another brutal turnover from Edwards, then one by Edgecombe. The Sixers had 12 in the first half. That paired with the Celtics starting to hit shots and the score got ugly.
- The Sixers had a couple beautiful possessions that led to two threes — both with assists from Wade. This guy is such good connector.
- Again, it was Boston’s regulars against a thin Sixers’ lineup. The Celtics took a 63-42 lead into the half. Edgecombe was the bright spot, leading the Sixers with 14 points, three assists and four steals.
Third quarter
- Unsurprisingly, no Maxey to start the second half. Wade also sat after halftime.
- Walker picked up his fifth foul 15 seconds into the half. Suboptimal considering where the Sixers are with the center position right now.
- Philon made an absolutely filthy bounce pass to Walker in transition for an and-one. Walker buried another three on the next offensive possession. He’s hoopin’.
- Looks like Edgecombe’s night is done midway through third. Can’t say enough about how he played Saturday and how he’s looked overall in the preseason.
- And another beauty of a dime from Philon to Walker. This kid is fun to watch.
- Yeah, this is a bloodbath. Sixers are playing two two-way guys, two Exhibit 10 guys and a rookie. The Celtics still have a lineup full of rotation guys.
Fourth quarter
- Four straight threes for the Sixers — two each from Philon and Edwards. Again, the Celtics still have regulars out there, so Philon is going this against legit NBA competition. He looks like he can play right away — and he might need to depending on Simons’ health.
