NEW YORK — The Philadelphia 76ers have had guys go in and out of the lineup throughout the 2023-24 season. Coach Nick Nurse has had to look into different lineups all season long in order to get the Sixers to succeed when considering the adversity they have faced with the injuries.
In Sunday’s win over the New York Knicks, the Sixers moved Buddy Hield to the bench. The deadline acquisition had been starting in his first 13 games for Philadelphia and in an effort to jump-start him a bit, Nurse decided to have him come off the bench.
The move paid off as Hield scored 16 points and knocked down four triples in the win. This was nothing new for Philadelphia, though. The Sixers have had Nic Batum, Kelly Oubre Jr., and others move in and out of the starting lineup with no fuss and Hield is the latest to do so.
“That’s what I love about this team is there’s no egos,” said Batum after the win. “He’s (Nurse) gonna switch lineups and when all guys are back and Kelly’s in the lineup, sometimes he’s on the bench. Now starting, sometimes it’s me. Nobody cares though. Just go out there and play. There’s no egos.”
The Sixers will have to continue to adapt to new roles and new lineups as they move forward in their season. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will eventually return from their injuries. That is when everybody will once again have to change things up in an effort to help Philadelphia contend for a title.
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