The Oklahoma City Thunder and the rest of the NBA have to put the drama of NBA Trade Deadline week behind them and finish these last few games before next weekend’s NBA All-Star Break on a high note. No team was more involved with Trade Deadline drama than the Philadelphia 76ers who swapped Ben Simmons with Brooklyn Nets star James Harden. The former Thunder shooting guard, Harden, did not make his 76ers debut on Friday night against OKC forcing Philly to play without Harden, Paul Millsap, Jaden Springer, Myles Powell, and Charles Bassey. All but Harden and Millsap were DNP-CD’s. The 76ers would need to lean on MVP contender Joel Embiid in this game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder continues to battle the injury bug as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mike Muscala, Aaron Wiggins, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl remain sidelined due to ankle and foot injuries. Isaiah Roby made his return to the hardwood, and Lindy Waters III made his NBA “debut” tonight, playing in 54-seconds after inking a two-way pact late Thursday evening.
Oklahoma City Thunder routed by 76ers as Joel Embiid dominates down low and Isaiah Roby returns from injury
The Thunder fell to the 76ers 100-87 on Friday night, the first night of a back-to-back for the Oklahoma City Thunder who see Derrick Favors set a season-high, Aleksej Pokusevski and Darius Bazley continue to be productive, and Vit Krejci with the most impactful eight minutes you will ever see. Still, it was not enough to slow Embiid who went for 25-points and 19-rebounds, five blocks, four assists, a steal, and attempted 11 free throws. Tyrese Maxey, who the 76ers were adamant on keeping in the James Harden swap, chipped in 24-points on 64-percent shooting from the field and 2-for-4 from deep.
Favors earned the start for OKC, going for 16 points, nine rebounds, a steal, and three blocks in 28-minutes while shooting 61-percent from the floor in the best game he has had as a member of the OKC Thunder.
Darius Bazley made half his shot from the field, and from deep, on his way to 14 points, 15 rebounds, a steal, a block, and an assist on just one turnover and two fouls. This continues a nice stretch for the young forward who has seen a huge leap defensively this year and might be clicking offensively after massive struggles.
Aleksej Pokusevski looking comfortable for the first time in his NBA career, in 30-minutes off the bench he shot 53-percent from the floor, 1-for-4 from deep, pouring in 15 points, six rebounds, and an assist. On defense, Poku also had a block.