Doc Rivers said before the Sixers’ win over the Wizards that the contest wasn’t about him but the former Clippers coach notched his first win in Philadelphia all the same. Rivers wasn’t afraid to lean on his stars but he also wasn’t afraid to place his faith in Shake Milton, someone he had been hyping up all training camp.
Milton saw 30 minutes (+33 plus-minus), scoring 19 points and making it difficult for the team to sub him out. Rivers said he was particularly happy with the way Milton played on defense.
The Sixers’ got 74 minutes (out of 240) from new additions tonight. Seth Curry led the way with 32 of those, going 4-for-8 with 13 points. Danny Green struggled and the Sixers kept Milton in for stretches that may have originally been earmarked for DG. Rivers understood that Green may need some time to get warmed up and the vet has some leeway in regard to his spot in the rotation.
Tyrese Maxey was great in just 11 minutes and Dwight Howard looked spry in 13, which is interesting given Howard and Green both most recently played less than 100 days ago with the Lakers and would each carry the same disadvantage to a severely shortened offseason.
More From Philadelphia
- Perhaps as a surprise, Matisse Thybulle didn’t see the floor in the Sixers’ win. Postgame, Rivers said that Thybulle will get his chances as the season goes along.
- After the final buzzer, Ben Simmons and Howard were among those who stayed behind, putting up extra shots. “Dwight’s been pushing me to get better so now he came out on the floor with me. Got some shots up…He wants me to be great, and I really appreciate that,” Simmons said post-game to FortyEightMinutes and other media in attendance.
- No talk of Harden rumors tonight but on Tuesday, Simmons was asked about the trade rumors involving him and James Harden, telling reporters that he wasn’t worried. “I know things are always going to be said in the media, and rumors and things like that, but my goal is to come in every day and get better and help the team that I’m on win a championship.”
