What to watch as 76ers have 8 players on injury report in regular-season finale vs. Magic
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
The 48-23 Philadelphia 76ers clinched the Eastern Conference’s top seed Friday night, they’ll play their regular-season finale Sunday vs. the 21-50 Orlando Magic.
Here’s what to watch:
Extensive injury report
With the number one seed secured, the worst-case scenario for the Sixers would be a star suffering or aggravating an injury.
Every Sixers starter was on Sunday’s 1:30 P.M. injury report. Here it is in full:
- Seth Curry: Questionable — right hip injury recovery
- Danny Green: Questionable — left hip injury recovery
- Tobias Harris: Questionable — right knee injury recovery
- Ben Simmons: Questionable — back stiffness
- Matisse Thybulle: Questionable — left hand swelling
- Joel Embiid: Probable — Non-COVID illness
- Furkan Korkmaz: Probable — right ankle sprain
- Shake Milton: Probable — right knee soreness
Seven Magic players were listed out with injuries. Wendell Carter Jr. (left eye abrasion) and R.J Hampton (right ankle sprain) were questionable.
Outside of not ending the regular season on a down note, one positive of a Sixers win would be having home-court advantage in potential NBA Finals matchups against all Western Conference teams besides the Utah Jazz and the Phenix Suns.
Time to shine for youngsters
Rookies Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe, and Paul Reed should all see the floor against Orlando, and quite possibly for many minutes.
Maxey, who has 17 assists and three turnovers over his last four games, is likely the only one who will play in a close playoff game this year, although Joe and Reed might have chances to crack the Sixers’ rotation in their second seasons.
Reed, the G League MVP, has tended to provide energy and rebounding in his garbage-time appearances. Sixers head coach Doc Rivers has liked what he’s seen from Joe defensively. Joe scored 11 points in seven fourth-quarter minutes Friday.
Meaningless game
If you’re a Sixers fan, this is a type of game where you can sit back and relax, because this game means absolutely nothing for the Sixers.
The Sixers should be resting their stars and letting the garbage-time regulars do the work.
Essentials
When: 7:00 P.M. E.S.T.
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Social media coverage: Philly Sports Reports’ Twitter & Instagram.
