Mar 23, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) shoots against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Quentin Grimes, Justin Edwards and Chuma Okeke were bright spots for Philadelphia in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. The tanking pendulum swings back to the Sixers.
Here's what I saw.
- Having seemingly found a second wind (read: health?) recently, it's been great to see Guerschon Yabusele dip into traditional big man play around the rim over the last few games. The loss to the San Antonio Spurs was a unique opportunity in that they didn't have any traditional size to neutralize Yabusele. So, he dominated like-sized bigs with his mass. But the Hawks offered no such opportunity. Yabusele had a couple of misses up close, but he utilized his drop step by the block consistently. He turned over his left shoulder regardless of who was on him, kissing the ball off the glass after getting his left foot behind his defender in the post.
- I sound like a broken record with the disclaimer that Grimes is not a point guard or a primary ball-handler. Having said that, it's a good sign that he is so comfortable getting to his left hand. Defenses will sit on his right, challenging him to attack with his less favorable limb. Grimes took it in stride, using hesitation moves and pace to carve through the paint with sharp drives. He had some unfinished business at the rim with that off hand, but he wasn't unwilling to use it. There are players on this team who will flat-out refuse to finish with anything other than their dominant hands.
- Speaking of Grimes, would've been nice if the Sixers had more than one guy who consistently read defensive over-plays for back-cuts and dunks before the trade deadline. Grimes has such athletic pop that defenses just freeze when the pocket pass is made to him on the cut. They know he's got it before the ball is in his hands.
- A loud clap for Okeke, who actually competes on the offensive glass. He's doing his best to plug a glaring weakness on this team, and he's doing it by engulfing the ball off the rim and out-hustling the opposition to the miss.
- I remain extremely impressed by Edwards. He's put hours of work behind the scenes on full display since entering the rotation. The developmental arc suggests that his work ethic is outstanding. He's not the player he was in summer league. He's not the player he was in the preseason. Edwards isn't the player he was 10 games ago. But by the end of this season, he's a reliable three-point shooter, sharp and direct driver and serviceable defender. A really pleasant story in a not-so-pleasant season, and a victory for the Sixers as they navigate team-building moving forward.
- The game started. Need I say more?
- Sometimes you can be too open and it can complicate some normally simple decisions. You could see the wheels turning in Ricky Council IV's head as he caught the ball with a narrowing driving lane. Unfortunately for Council, the wheels jammed as he drove to the cup, dangling a layup around the rim on a weirdly timed jump. A little too much bounce on that one, and Council left some change at the basket. Been that kind of year.
- Not to suggest that there's hard reporting either way, but I do think the best argument for Nick Nurse to keep his job is the fact that this team has had 47 different starting lineups, and counting. It's an excellent argument, in my opinion. Having said that, it's unacceptable that this personnel is consistently allowing wide open corner threes one or two passes away and straight-line drives with no one picking up the ball. They've been allowing transition scores off of dead balls all season long. But a lot of these dudes have a lot to prove. They should be starving to be better on defense. If they're not, why are they here? If they are, why haven't these mistakes been coached away?
- I don't know what deal you have to make with the devil to get the graces that guys like Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo get, but Young should've had three turnovers on the first three Atlanta possessions of the game. He turns that ball over in his palm so much on the dribble and it could be called a violation every time. I at least kind of understand that Antetokounmpo has enough equity to be able to get away with his travels. But letting someone like Young get away with his nonsense is ridiculous.
- Who was better, Henry Sims during the Process years or Alex Reese now? I think it might be Sims.
- Which is worse, the Demand Rand commercial or the Cure Auto Insurance press conference commercial? Both are absolutely nauseating to me.
The Sixers (23-48) will visit the New Orleans Pelicans (19-53) on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m., Eastern time. You can watch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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