- Phillies reliever Matt Strahm scratched from spring finale after a packing injury
- Source: Eagles signing OT Kendall Lamm
- Sixers sign Delaware Blue Coats forward Marcus Bagley to 10-day contract
- President Trump says he’s also inviting the Chiefs to the White House
- Kody Clemens beats out Millville’s Buddy Kennedy for the Phillies’ final bench spot
Sixers-Hawks takeaways: Niang’s message, Dowtin Jr.’s time dwindling, more
ATLANTA – Georges Niang had a message for Quentin Grimes. Jeff Dowtin Jr.’s allowable games on his two-way contract are about to expire. And Oshae Brissett says his health is good to go in regards to getting a second 10-day contract. Those three things stood out Sunday in the 76ers’ 132-119 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Georges Niang’s message
Grimes led the Sixers with 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds. It was his eighth consecutive game with at least 20 points.
But Hawks reserve Niang, a former Sixer, told Grimes in the third quarter that his success was only a result of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey being sidelined. Grimes is averaging 30.3 points over his last eight games. But Niang told him, “whenever you go next year, you ain’t doing none of this [stuff].”
“That’s the only reason you are doing what you are doing,” Niang said while Grimes attempted a pair of foul shots. “If Joel was here, your [butt] would be in the corner. Joel here, you’re in the corner. Tyrese here, you’re in the corner.”
Dowtin’s time dwindling away
A player on a two-way contract can be active for a maximum of 50 regular-season games if he signed his deal before the start of the season. Dowtin falls under that category.
As a result, the point guard is eligible to be active for just four of the Sixers’ remaining 11 games. That’s the reality for a squad with 10 players sidelined. On Saturday, Dowtin finished with 17 points to go with three steals. This came after he was inactive the previous two games as a way to preserve his availability.
Brissett says he’s fine, ready for second 10-day
Sunday marked the 10th and final day of Brissett’s 10-day contract with the Sixers. Unfortunately for him, the forward was held out of the fourth quarter due to right-knee swelling. He was slated to sign a second 10-day deal on Monday.
But Sixers coach Nick Nurse said the team will check his health before providing a second 10-day deal. He first experienced the knee ailment during his 11 games with the Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets’ NBA G-League affiliate. “I’m good,” Brissett said. “I told the doctor, I told our training staff, I’ll be straight."
