Sixers-Thunder takeaways: Kelly Oubre Jr. needs to up his scoring and more
Kelly Oubre Jr. must seize the moment. Justin Edwards deserves more minutes. And even though they were depleted, the Sixers have to do a better job of defending opposing guards. Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 118-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Kelly Oubre Jr. must seize the moment. Justin Edwards deserves more minutes. And even though they were depleted, the Sixers have to do a better job of defending opposing guards. Those three things stood out in the Sixers’ 118-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
More needed from Oubre
For the Sixers to pull off an upset, they needed Oubre to have a great offensive performance. And that didn’t come close to happening. The 6-foot-7 guard finished with eight points on 2-for-10 shooting, four rebounds, and four steals.
More needed from Oubre
For the Sixers to pull off an upset, they needed Oubre to have a great offensive performance. And that didn’t come close to happening. The 6-foot-7 guard finished with eight points on 2-for-10 shooting, four rebounds, and four steals.
Oubre was held to three points while missing all seven of his shots before intermission. As the Sixers’ best available player, Oubre attracted a crowd of Thunder defenders. He also got his hand on a lot of balls on the defensive end. But the Sixers needed more out of him offensively in these types of situations.
Oubre was held to three points while missing all seven of his shots before intermission. As the Sixers’ best available player, Oubre attracted a crowd of Thunder defenders. He also got his hand on a lot of balls on the defensive end. But the Sixers needed more out of him offensively in these types of situations.
Play the man
Edwards showed why he believed he was the best player in June’s draft despite going undrafted. The former Imhotep Charter standout finished with a career-high 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including 4-for-9 on three-pointers.
Play the man
Edwards showed why he believed he was the best player in June’s draft despite going undrafted. The former Imhotep Charter standout finished with a career-high 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including 4-for-9 on three-pointers.
This performance shows why the Sixers should keep him in the regular rotation when the team gets healthier. Edwards can create space to allow Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey to thrive.
This performance shows why the Sixers should keep him in the regular rotation when the team gets healthier. Edwards can create space to allow Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey to thrive.
Perimeter defensive woes
The Thunder backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32) and Cason Wallace (18) combined to score 50 of Oklahoma City's 118 points. This came after Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony torched the Sixers for 27 points on Sunday.
Perimeter defensive woes
The Thunder backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32) and Cason Wallace (18) combined to score 50 of Oklahoma City's 118 points. This came after Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony torched the Sixers for 27 points on Sunday.
And they weren’t isolated incidents. The Sixers have struggled staying in front of opposing guards all season. It is a trend they must find a way to eliminate.
And they weren’t isolated incidents. The Sixers have struggled staying in front of opposing guards all season. It is a trend they must find a way to eliminate.