Update, 1:30 p.m.: Joel Embiid has been upgraded from out to questionable. We’ll see if we get our first look at the Sixers’ actual starting five Sunday night.
The season has taken a turn for the worse since the opening couple of weeks in a typically Sixersy way, with more injuries, star absences, and losses. But they got themselves another victory on Friday after defeating the Nets, 115-103, in their latest NBA Cup game.
The Sixers never trailed. Adem Bona stepped up all around as Andre Drummond went down with a sprained knee, Tyrese Maxey was rock solid with a near triple-double as he faced most of Brooklyn’s defensive attention, and Jared McCain continued looking more dynamic and comfortable with a season-high 20 points and career-high five steals. Yes, the Nets may stink this season, but you’ve got to take what you can get for these depleted Sixers right now. At least this performance gives them slightly more positive vibes heading into their next contest, as they take on the 12-8 Atlanta Hawks.
The injury report is still long, though. For Sunday, Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) all remain out. However, Drummond is only listed as questionable, reassuring news that he could return soon even if it doesn’t happen against the Hawks. VJ Edgecombe (left calf injury management) has also been upgraded to questionable, and McCain is still available.
For the Hawks, the big name on the injury report is the continued absence of Trae Young, who’s due to be reevaluated soon but has been sidelined for the last month with a knee injury. Kristaps Porzingis also remains out with illness, meaning Onyeka Okongwu will be continuing as Atlanta’s starting center.
Okongwu may not have the track record of Porzingis’s scoring and three-point shooting, but he’s clearly developed this season. Okongwu has upped his scoring to 16.5 points per game and he’s jumped up to 4.8 three-point attempts a night, all while making them at a 41.3 percent clip. Even though it’s early days in the season, his comfort from range is good enough for him to even be coming off screens, popping beyond the arc, and utilizing a pretty neat (and quick) release.
Earlier this month he even made eight triples (yes, EIGHT) in a single game against the Jazz! Okongwu vs. Bona should make for a fun matchup.
The Hawks should give these shorthanded Sixers a challenge. Atlanta has put together a solid season so far, sitting fifth in the East, a 7-3 record over their last 10 games with middle-of-the-pack performance at both ends of the floor (15th in offensive rating and 13th in defense). And they’ve done it without Young.
Jalen Johnson in particular has stepped up to carry a larger load. He’s putting together an All-Star season with the way he’s upped his usage, showcased even more poise as playmaker, and simply done a bit of everything. Johnson’s just passed Young in all-time triple-doubles for the Hawks, and now boasts impressive averages of 21.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game with a terrific 63.0 true shooting percentage.
The Sixers could definitely use Paul George to help keep the 6-foot-8 Johnson in check with how well he’s driving, attacking the glass, and leading fast breaks right now. Watching how Dominick Barlow fares against Johnson whenever they’re matched up will be interesting to follow as well.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been key for the Hawks in Young’s absence, too. He’s stepped into the starting lineup to average 32.0 minutes a night and has scored 30+ twice in his last five outings, taking him to a major new career-high of 19.3 points per game. He’s firing away from three (6.8 attempts at a 36.1 percent clip), finishing pretty well in the paint, and staying more efficient than ever with a career-best 59.5 true shooting percentage. Maxey’s been defending well this year, so he and Quentin Grimes will need to focus their efforts on keeping Alexander-Walker in check.
If Maxey keeps cooking, McCain continues his steady improvement, and George has a good shooting night to go along with role players like Bona delivering again, maybe that can give the Sixers enough to beat this Hawks team. But it won’t be easy on Sunday night.
When: Sunday, November 30, 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
