RECAP: Furkan Korkmaz drops 40-piece in Sixers’ SL debut

Philadelphia 76ers, Zhaire Smith (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers, Zhaire Smith (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers were unable to get the job done despite a huge night from Furkan Korkmaz

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics provided fans with an entertaining match-up tonight in the NBA Summer League.  Unfortunately, the heroic effort of Furkan Korkmaz wasn’t enough to edge the Sixers to victory.

The Sixers played solid defense in spurts, but did not sustain that effort consistently enough throughout the game.  The Celtics shot 48.6 percent overall from the field, and there wasn’t enough resistance from the Sixers on that side of the ball.

Semi Ojeleye played a significant role in the first half, scoring at will in the paint and displaying his improved ball handling skills and even connected on a couple of three-pointers.

Korkmaz was incredible tonight, and you couldn’t help but believe that every shot he attempted was going in.  He scorched the Celtics from opening tip and ended up with 40 points on the night!  Korkmaz scored 16 of the Sixers’ first 26 points and had 19 at the half with four three-pointers.

The Sixers had solid contributions from several players, but their inability to get crucial stops came back to bite them in the fourth quarter.

Guerschon Yabusele erupted in the second half and played a pivotal role in lifting the Celtics past the Sixers in crunch time.  He showed off his versatility getting to the basket at-will and touch from the outside by connecting on a clutch three-pointer to seal the game.  He’s reminiscent of a young Boris Diaw

Next: How might the Sixers trim down their roster?

There were a lot of great takeaways despite the Sixer’s loss, mainly the incredible night that Korkmaz had.  That cannot be overstated.  Ben Simmons has a lot to look forward to this season.