The 76ers play their first regular season game on Tuesday night in Boston, facing the Celtics in the NBA season opener.
For the Sixers, roster depth and a team-first approach are two themes emerging from the offseason and their undefeated preseason.
"Coach Doc said something in the locker room recently: This is a we season, not a me season,” Tyrese Maxey said on Media Day. “This season's going to be all about us, as a group, as an organization. I just want us to be the best that we can possibly be."
The start of a new season brings with it excitement, intrigue, and everything in between. After 11 seasons, offseason acquisition and 2021 NBA Champion P.J. Tucker certainly knows the drill.
"It's going to be tough, and we're going to go through a lot throughout the season,” said Tucker. “But it's going to be so much better when you get to the end and you have a chance to really win it. It makes everything worth it."
The start of the 2022-23 Sixers season coincides with an energizing period of success for Philadelphia teams across the entire professional sports landscape.
“It’s awesome… It just gives the city a different energy,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said Monday. “Walking in the street, people are engaged. It’s nice.”
Now, it’s time for the Sixers to take the stage.
Together.
“Everybody here is focused on winning,” second-year Sixer Georges Niang said. “How can we make this team better? I think we're focused on the ‘we’ aspect of this season."
After Tuesday, the Sixers return for their home opener on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Preseason By The Numbers
Tuesday’s season opener in Boston is a 7:30 p.m. ET start.
2022-23 Season Opener Hype Video
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Quote to Note:
James Harden – after Monday’s final practice before the regular season – on Tyrese Maxey:
“I'm probably like the mean guy on the court as far as our team [goes]. He's just so nice, man. He's just smiling. It's like, 'Tyrese, get mad one time.'
“I think he got mad in our last preseason game. He got pushed or something and they didn’t call a foul. He was pissed. I need more of that… You're not under the radar no more.”
76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Oct. 12, 2022 (Preseason)
1 / 8PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 12: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during a preseason game on October 12, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Opponent Outlook:
The Celtics went 2-2 in the preseason after a 51-31 campaign last season that culminated in an NBA Finals loss (4-2) to the Golden State Warriors.
On Sept. 22, the Celtics announced a season-long suspension for Head Coach Ime Udoka due to violations of team policies. Joe Mazzulla, 34, is the Interim Head Coach.
Malcolm Brogdon (19.1 PPG) was traded from Indiana to Boston in July, and the Celtics also signed Danilo Gallinari (11.7 PPG). Boston then signed Blake Griffin on Oct. 3.
Gallinari is out, however, as the Celtics announced early last month that the 15-year veteran was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee suffered while playing for Italy in a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Aug. 27. Robert Williams (left knee arthroscopy) is also out.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown averaged 26.9 and 23.6 points per game, respectively, for the Celtics last season. Marcus Smart is the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
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