Dominick Barlow is Out with a back injury, estimated return November 2, and Tacko Fall went to Out with a left hip problem on Monday. The season opens tonight at the Knicks on NBC and Peacock, with Dean Wade, Adem Bona and Anfernee Simons still Day-To-Day.
How much does losing Barlow actually hurt?
More than his 7.7 points suggest. Barlow played 71 games last season at 23.8 minutes with 4.8 rebounds, the most dependable forward minutes on the bench. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the Sixers announced a minimum two-week absence, and Liberty Ballers reported a reevaluation at that point. An estimated November 2 return means he misses the opener plus the Cavaliers, Bucks and Pistons home dates.
Who is actually available tonight?
The top five, on paper. Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were cleared October 16, and VJ Edgecombe was cleared October 17. Wade (ankle), Bona (foot) and Simons (hamstring) are all Day-To-Day with a target of today, and none has been cleared. Simons has carried a hamstring tag since October 12. Fall is Out through at least October 22, Ariel Hukporti for the year.
Does the preseason win over New York mean anything?
No. Philadelphia beat the Knicks 120-97 on October 5, then lost three straight exhibitions, including 106-144 in Boston. New York went 53-29 last season with a plus-6.4 net rating and Jalen Brunson at 26.0 points, and it swept this team in the second round in May. Philadelphia finished 45-37 at minus-0.1. The Knicks also get four days of rest to Philadelphia's three.
Why did the Edgecombe option matter on Monday?
Because it was the one easy call this front office faced. Sixers.com announced the third-year rookie scale option on Edgecombe, who played 75 games as a rookie at 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He stays on the books at $11.7 million inside a $213.2 million payroll that sits over the $200.4 million tax line, with Embiid at $58.1 million and Brown at $57.1 million.
What is the one thing Nick Nurse has to settle tonight?
Who closes. Brown averaged 28.7 points last season, Tyrese Maxey 28.3, Embiid 26.9 and James 20.9, and only one ball exists. Chris Hine of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported the Sixers admit it is hard to know what to expect from the big five. The schedule gives no runway: Cavaliers Thursday on ESPN, Bucks Saturday, Pistons Sunday.
Is Dominick Barlow playing against the Knicks?
No. He is Out with a back injury, with an estimated return of November 2.
When is the 76ers season opener and where can I watch it?
Tonight, Tuesday, October 20, at the Knicks on NBC and Peacock. The home opener is Thursday, October 22, against the Cavaliers on ESPN.
