PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers have been working on making sure Jalen McDaniels is comfortable as they prepare for what they hope will be a deep playoff run. They are beginning to see a payoff to the trade they made at the deadline.
Before McDaniels scored 24 points with 11 rebounds in a shocking road win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, they were beginning to see the athletic wing out of San Diego State find his role.
In Thursday’s home finale loss to the Miami Heat, McDaniels was one of the lone bright spots: He had 10 points and he knocked down two 3s.
“He’s just getting more comfortable,” Rivers said after that loss to the Heat of McDaniels. “So we kept him out there the entire — that was part of the plan. Let him burn as many minutes as he can because he still doesn’t know all our stuff. Today (Thursday) when we were running our zone offense, he’s not comfortable in that. So I just thought playing him and keeping them out there was good for him.”
McDaniels has caught the attention of his teammates. The Sixers have been in need of somebody athletic who can bring that aspect to the floor and knock down jumpers as well.
“He’s been awesome,” added Georges Niang. “I think he’s been great since he got here. He brings a different dynamic for us. A long, athletic wing. Like I said, he’s feeling more comfortable and doing more things out there. So he’s been great for us.”
The Sixers will finish the season on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.
[lawrence-related id=78167,78146,78140]