The 76ers (0-2) return to action on Penn Medicine Court at The Center on Saturday evening against the San Antonio Spurs (1-1). It’s a road back-to-back situation for the Spurs, after a win in Indiana on Friday.
Thursday in South Philadelphia, the Sixers dropped their home opener to the Milwaukee Bucks (1-0) by two points, 90-88.
James Harden finished with a game-high 31 points, marking the second time in as many opportunities this season that Harden has reached the 30-point mark. After Harden’s 35-point effort in the season opener at Boston, Tyrese Maxey was asked about what he saw from his teammate:
“Yeah, I mean, he’s James Harden,” Maxey said. “There’s nothing else I can really say… I know what he can do. I’ve seen it on TV, I’ve seen it in real life, I’ve seen it all before.”
In addition to his 31 points, Harden also registered eight rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in Thursday’s game. With totals of 65 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists so far this season, Harden is the only player in 76ers history to post at least 65 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists over a two-game span to start the season.
"Unselfish,” said Danuel House Jr. about what he likes most about Harden’s early-season play. “He's a team player. He's stressing that we do this together. He's not looking to step alone this season. He's stepping with us, and we're stepping with him."
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee in scoring with 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting.
The Sixers trailed by 10 points after three quarters. Their 13-0 run in the fourth quarter later tied the game and electrified the sold-out building. Harden spearheaded the comeback, while P.J. Tucker provided an additional spark with hustle plays left and right.
Tucker, a member of the Bucks’ 2021 title team, was tasked with guarding his former teammate Antetokounmpo.
“I was very happy with that,” 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers said of Tucker’s defense. “Tuck was fantastic overall. He did a heck of a job. And Giannis – usually one man doesn’t guard him. And tonight, for the most part, Tuck did that.”
In 39 minutes of action, Tucker came away with two steals and a block on the defensive end and notably pulled down four of his five total rebounds on the offensive glass.
Thursday’s Key Contributors
James Harden
Tyrese Maxey/Joel Embiid
Tobias Harris/De’Anthony Melton
Saturday’s game between the Sixers and Spurs is a 6 p.m. ET start.
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Quote to Note:
Giannis Antetokounmpo postgame, on James Harden:
“He’s a great player. If he gets going, no matter what you do, he’s still going to get the bucket.”
76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Oct. 20, 2022
1 / 6PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 20: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers tries to pass over Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on October 20, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Opponent Outlook:
The Spurs (1-1) just defeated the Pacers Friday on the road, 137-134, behind 27 points from former Sixer Josh Richardson. San Antonio lost their season opener at home to the Charlotte Hornets, 129-102, on Wednesday. Keldon Johnson notched a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double in defeat.
Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich added a familiar face as an assistant coach during the offseason: Brett Brown, who coached the Sixers from 2013-20, will make his return to Philadelphia on the opposite bench.
This year’s Spurs roster features three first-round draft picks from the most recent draft: Jeremy Sochan (No. 9 overall out of Baylor), Malaki Branham (No. 20 overall out of Ohio State), and Blake Wesley (No. 25 overall out of Notre Dame). Five Spurs players, including the three rookies, are 19 years young.
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