Sixers takeaways: Paul George's knee looks healthy, bench comes alive in win
Paul George’s left knee appears to be fine. The star forward also showed why the 76ers need to get him more involved. And the team’s bench caught on as the game progressed. Those three things stood out in Monday’s 121-108 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center.
Paul George’s left knee appears to be fine. The star forward also showed why the 76ers need to get him more involved. And the team’s bench caught on as the game progressed. Those three things stood out in Monday’s 121-108 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center.
George’s knee
George moved the best he has all season. The 34-year-old had some bounce and was able to maneuver through a crowd without the bulky brace he had to wear in his first five games back from a second left knee hyperextension.
George’s knee
George moved the best he has all season. The 34-year-old had some bounce and was able to maneuver through a crowd without the bulky brace he had to wear in his first five games back from a second left knee hyperextension.
The 6-foot-8, 220-pound George fell hard to the floor while being fouled after making a second-quarter basket. Moments later, he later appeared to slightly bump knees with a Hornets player on a defensive possession. But George’s knee held up fine after both incidents.
The 6-foot-8, 220-pound George fell hard to the floor while being fouled after making a second-quarter basket. Moments later, he later appeared to slightly bump knees with a Hornets player on a defensive possession. But George’s knee held up fine after both incidents.
The George and Maxey Show
In addition to being healthy, George was one of the two best players on the floor. That was obvious from the start as he and Tyrese Maxey combined to score 42 of the Sixers’ 54 first-half points.
The George and Maxey Show
In addition to being healthy, George was one of the two best players on the floor. That was obvious from the start as he and Tyrese Maxey combined to score 42 of the Sixers’ 54 first-half points.
George finished with 33 points while making 6 of 8 three-pointers. He’s now 10th all-time in the NBA in made three-pointers with 2,285. George's performance is why he needs to be involved no matter who’s on the floor. He was relegated to bystander status in the last two games while playing alongside Joel Embiid.
George finished with 33 points while making 6 of 8 three-pointers. He’s now 10th all-time in the NBA in made three-pointers with 2,285. George's performance is why he needs to be involved no matter who’s on the floor. He was relegated to bystander status in the last two games while playing alongside Joel Embiid.
Bench points need to improve
The Sixers were outscored, 40-18, in bench points. And that was a major improvement after trailing 18-2 at the half. One can point to the high-scoring games of Maxey (40 overall) and George as reasons for the lack of bench production.
Bench points need to improve
The Sixers were outscored, 40-18, in bench points. And that was a major improvement after trailing 18-2 at the half. One can point to the high-scoring games of Maxey (40 overall) and George as reasons for the lack of bench production.
However, they had some looks and just couldn’t make shots. The Sixers' bench shot a combined 0-for-5 in the first half. Eric Gordon went 3-for-3 on three-pointers to give the Sixers bench a boost. Kyle Lowry and Ricky Council IV made clutch foul shots and added a physical presence.
However, they had some looks and just couldn’t make shots. The Sixers' bench shot a combined 0-for-5 in the first half. Eric Gordon went 3-for-3 on three-pointers to give the Sixers bench a boost. Kyle Lowry and Ricky Council IV made clutch foul shots and added a physical presence.