The Philadelphia 76ers rookies were all able to get playing time this past week and the lone rookie big man has become a part of the rotation again.
Despite the G-League season being over, all of the Philadelphia 76ers rookies were able to get playing time this past week. While all of the first year players did get some playing time, only one appeared in all four games this past week.
16th pick, 2018
With both Jimmy Butler and James Ennis missing time this past week, Zhaire Smith got the opportunity to shine. Smith’s best game came against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he finished with six points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block, while shooting 1-5 from the floor, 1-2 from behind the arc and 3-4 from the foul line.
Smith has the potential to be a high energy defensive player that can hit the occasional 3-pointer for the Sixers. With Ennis set to miss the next two weeks, he should be in line for additional playing time.
Season stats: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/5/2019.
36th pick, 2017
More from Sixers News
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Breaking Down Bombshell Report on Sixers Star James Harden
It appears a trip down to the Delaware Blue Coats before the end of the G-League season is exactly what Jonah Bolden needed. He played in all four games (starting three of them) this past week for the Sixers and appears to have become a regular part of the rotation again with Joel Embiid, Butler and Ennis all dealing with injuries.
He had a double-double against the Atlanta Hawks with 13 points and 10 rebounds. He also reached a career high in points against the Minnesota Timberwolves with 19 points. Outside of the game against the Timbwolves, he has been able to limit his foul trouble that he had in March. Once the Sixers become healthy, it will be interesting to see if he will stay in the rotation.
Season stats: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/5/2019.
54th pick, 2018
Outside of forcing Giannis Antetokounmpo into a jump ball situation, it wasn’t a particularly good week for Shake Milton. The second round pick failed to convert any of his seven field goal attempts in the two games he played in this past week. This week was much worse than in the previous rookie report where he scored in each of the games he played in.
Season stats: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/5/2019.
Undrafted, 2018
Despite not playing since Jan. 26th, Haywood Highsmith was able to get a couple of minutes in the blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He finished with two points, two rebounds and one foul on 1-3 shooting from the floor in six minutes. Outside of blowouts or multiple injuries, it’s unlikely that Highsmith will get playing time moving forward.
Season stats: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/5/2019.
Injuries gave the Philadelphia 76ers rookie an opportunity at playing time this past week. Now, it appears that Smith and Bolden still have a chance in the rotation for the weeks to come.