Opening nights don't get much better than that. The Philadelphia 76ers walked into Madison Square Garden on Ring Night and defeated their arch-rivals, the New York Knicks. Unlike previous years, the Sixers didn't have to overly rely on their starting lineup to clinch the victory; their secondary unit played a critical role. With Dean Wade, Dominick Barlow, and Tacko Fall yet to return from injury, Philadelphia will hope its bench becomes more devastating as the season progresses.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, the 76ers ranked 27th overall in bench scoring, averaging 32.4 points per game. Apart from Quentin Grimes (13.4 points per game), few players made a consistent impact from a secondary role. As a result, the Sixers lost momentum when Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid were off the court.
During Philadelphia's 106-100 victory over New York, the bench scored 26 points, below their previous-season average. However, context is important, and with Nick Nurse sticking with a nine-man rotation, there are already encouraging signs that this year's secondary unit can retain a lead while their star players rest.
Sixers' bench players have distinct roles
While Nick Nurse used four players from his bench, two registered fewer than 10 minutes on the court. Adem Bona and Jabari Walker were used sparingly, unlike Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Simons and Caldwell-Pope both logged 25+ minutes, a decision that has already paid significant dividends. It was clear from the outset that Simons is on this roster to shoot the ball. When in rotations alongside Maxey, Brown, and LeBron, the ball won't be in the 27-year-old's hands until the final moments of the possession.
This season, Nick Nurse desperately required a spot-up shooter who could make an impact from the bench, a role Simons will thrive in. The sharpshooting guard didn't record a single assist during his minutes, but he did register 13 points, shooting 50% from the floor and 37.5% from deep.
Much like his new teammate, Caldwell-Pope is expected to contribute offensively as a sixth man and has already done so impressively. The 33-year-old scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds as Philly put on a show in Madison Square Garden. While the veteran guard only drained 3 of his 8 shot attempts, he got to his spots with great effect and will surely increase his efficiency as he gets more games under his belt.
South Philly should be optimistic about the potential this season holds. Unlike previous years, the bench is already making a positive impact. With Dean Wade, Dominick Barlow, Tacko Fall, and Labaron Philon Jr. yet to feature, the 76ers' secondary unit will only grow in strength.
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