Sixers Rookie Report: 3 rookies start in short-handed game

The short-handed Philadelphia 76ers had to rely on their rookies in a major way.

Due to injuries and the COVID-19 outbreak on the Philadelphia 76ers were very short handed against the Denver Nuggets. As the result the franchise had to rely heavily on their rookies, which resulted in three of them making their first NBA start. That game takes headline of this week’s rookie report.

21st pick, 2020 draft

It just makes sense to start this report with Tyrese Maxey. The point guard progressively improved his production as the week went on. It ended with him making his first start and he finished with 39 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and only two turnovers in 44 minutes of play against the Nuggets. He also shot 18-33 from the floor and 3-8 from the 3-point line.

He had that type of production without attempting a single free throw shot. Uriah Young of The Sixer Sense put Maxey’s performance in terms that most fans probably thought but won’t say outloud.

"“…Maxey demonstrates a fearlessness and passion for scoring that is reminiscent of the original Sixers son — Allen Iverson”"

Only time will tell how true this statement will become, but atleast during that game, it felt true.

Season averages: 10.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.1 blocks, 0.7 turnovers, and 1.0 fouls. Shooting 48.9 percent on field goals, 36.1 percent on 3-pointers, and 100.0 on free throws.

49th pick, 2020 draft

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Isaiah Joe also made his first start against the Nuggets, but obviously didn’t the same type of breakout performance that Maxey did, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t play well. He had 13 points on 3-11 shooting from deep. While he wasn’t hiting his shots, he was showing a willingness and fearlessness taking 3-pointers. That was the reason the Sixers drafted him for in the first place, so in that regard it was a good outing for Joe.

Season averages: 3.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.2 blocks, 0.4 turnovers, and 1.2 fouls. Shooting 20.0 percent on field goals, 18.8 percent on 3-pointers, and 100.0 on free throws.

58th pick, 2020 draft

Paul Reed made his NBA debut before the Nuggets game against the Charlotte Hornets. In his first two games, he’s shown the he can be a solid defender, who’s still raw offensively, and he’s clearly making rookie mistakes. Reed has talent and energy, but developing his basketball I.Q. is a must moving forward.

Season averages: 4.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 2.0 turnovers, and 1.0 fouls. Shooting 40.0 percent on field goals and 0.0 percent on 3-pointers.

Undrafted, 2020 draft

Overall Dakota Mathias played well this past week. He played three games this past week and averaged 7.7 points on 37.5 percent from behind the arc. He was the other rookie that started against the Nuggets and looked like he could hold his own as a rotational NBA player. He finished with 12 points, while making 2-5 3-pointers. The future looks bright for Mathias if he continues this good stretch of shooting.

Next. Player Rankings: Early strong impressions. dark

Each of the Philadelphia 765ers’ rookies got an opporturnity shine in the game against Denver. Players like Maxey and Mathias have made strong cases for a bigger role moving forward.