The Philadelphia 76ers have had different players play different roles throughout the season. Saturday was no different. They started Danuel House Jr. in place of the injured PJ Tucker.
House Jr. didn’t wow with his night: He had three points and a rebound in 19 minutes, but he was ready to go when called upon in a 141-121 win over the Indiana Pacers. That is what’s important in this instance. The Sixers needed somebody to step up while being short-handed, and House Jr. answered the call.
It has been an up-and-down season for him, his first with the Sixers. House Jr. was in the team’s rotation to begin the season. Then he wasn’t for a long stretch. Recently, he has gained more minutes. He then earned the start with the team missing key pieces.
“He’s healthy and he’s available, but more importantly, he’s professional,” coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “D House has been absolutely wonderful for this basketball team because he when he doesn’t play, he’s involved. When he plays, he plays the right way. He plays hard. He competes. He’s the perfect teammate. He really has been. I’m very proud of him.”
The Sixers have been preaching all year that this is a “we season” which means no matter what, the team comes first. House Jr. continues to be an example of that.
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