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Long before Matisse Thybulle emerged as a star on YouTube, the Philadelphia 76ers made his name as a great, if not elite, defensive player in college basketball.
Thybulle was the 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year at Washington and has carried those defensive skills over into his first season in the NBA. His ability on the defensive end of the floor was once again on display on Sunday during a 124-121 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Despite allowing Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard to score 51 points, Thybulle showed flashes of greatness on defense. He finished with only two points but added nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, one blocked shot and was a plus-four in 33 minutes of work.
Thybulle was very active on the defensive end and helped force his opponent into tough shots. Perhaps most impressive, though, was his instincts on that end of the floor. Rookies often face a learning curve advancing to NBA competition but Thybulle has seemingly had no issues.
Matisse Thybulle anticipation, instincts and length are so impressive. pic.twitter.com/sMjgvxJLbO
— 7 Foot Schnitzel (@7_Ft_Schnitzel) August 10, 2020
According to NBA tracking data, Thybulle was matched up with Lillard for over three minutes of game time and allowed the Trail Blazers guard to score eight points. As Sixers head coach Brett Brown said afterward, sometimes you just tip your hat and live with the results.
Thybulle was also matched up with C.J. McCollum and Carmelo Anthony throughout the game and his performance earned some praise afterward from teammate Josh Richardson, courtesy of Lauren Rosen of Sixers.com.
Josh Richardson (@J_Rich1) was proud of @MatisseThybulle's defensive work against the elite duo of Dame and CJ tonight:
"He did a good job, I’ll take him in that matchup, 10 times out of 10."
"He’s a guy that I definitely want in my foxhole."
— Lauren Rosen (@LaurenMRosen) August 10, 2020
There will be some nights in which solid defensive performances are matched with even better play on the offensive end, which was the case on Sunday with Lillard. However, Thybulle has clearly earned trust from his team that he can be counted on in those situations.
The 76ers play next on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.
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