Three observations following the Sixers’ opening-game struggles and defeat by the Bucks sans Embiid and George
The Bucks were too much for the Sixers to handle in their season opening, as they had trouble offensively without Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Damian Lillard.
The 2024–25 Sixers would not have won their first game at Wells Fargo Center without their top trio.
The Sixers lost 124-109 to the Bucks on Wednesday, their first game of the season, without Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) and Paul George (bruised left knee bone).
Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Damian Lillard finished with six assists, nine rebounds, and thirty points.
Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points to lead the Sixers. His field goal percentage was just 10 for 31. 21 points were provided by Kelly Oubre Jr.
Observations of the Sixers’ loss against the Bucks are as follows:
Caleb Martin, a 29-year-old forward, played 37 minutes in the first game because Nurse loved his energy off the bench during the preseason.
Nurse switched KJ Martin out of the Sixers lineup to start the second half with Caleb Martin (12 points, 9 rebounds).
“I simply believed that our offensive issues were the main issue in the game,” Nurse stated. “I just felt maybe he might inspire us a bit more offensively than KJ, even though defense was probably below average as well.
It’s difficult since you’re up against a fairly large squad, isn’t that right? Caleb Martin is on Giannis, which is a significant size advantage. He was slugging it out. He put up a good fight against him, but made a few mistakes and such.
Late in the shot clock, Maxey made a step-back three-pointer to give the Sixers their first basket of the season. He started the first quarter 2 for 10 from the field after missing a number of close-range shots, but he ended the first period nicely with a difficult layup that beat the buzzer.
The Sixers were able to establish a little early lead in spite of their offensive difficulties. Although the Sixers’ offense in the first quarter lacked flow and the quick, deliberate pace Nurse had emphasized throughout the preseason, their role players performed admirably overall.
The Sixers opened strong on the offensive glass, played excellent team defense, and had no turnovers in the first session. KJ Martin and Drummond contributed put-back layups. Shortly after replacing KJ Martin, who, predictably, received two fouls in his first five minutes of guarding Antetokounmpo, Caleb Martin rushed in to grab an offensive board.
Maxey has a lot on her shoulders.
In the second quarter, Maxey got off to a strong start by making a baseline mid-range jumper and a floater.
But he was always annoyed because his drives didn’t get any foul calls. Before drawing a free throw, the Most Improved Player from the previous season took 18 field goals.
Kyle Lowry (13 points, six assists) was the Sixers’ sole second-unit guard Wednesday. Caleb Martin and Guerschon Yabusele were the only two other bench players Nurse used until Ricky Council IV entered in the third quarter with the Sixers trailing by 18 points. Jared McCain made his NBA debut with the game out of reach late in the fourth and got two buckets with a mid-range jumper and put-back lay-in. Adem Bona also converted a debut layup.
Makeshift lineups for the opener
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse’s opening-night starting five was Maxey, Eric Gordon, Oubre, KJ Martin and Andre Drummond.
