PHILADELPHIA — In his second game and first home game as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Jalen McDaniels had a big impact in Monday’s 123-104 win over the Houston Rockets.
McDaniels hopped off the bench and played 27:55, scoring eight points and pulling down five rebounds. He shot 3-for-4 from the floor and he knocked down a corner 3 to help the Sixers prevail.
The fourth-year veteran out of San Diego State was all over the place on Monday. He was a menace on the defensive end, using his length to bother the Rockets. On the offensive end, he cut to the basket and he played within himself.
“He’s good,” said coach Doc Rivers of McDaniels. “He can play. I can see that. He can shoot the ball from the corners, he runs the floor, he defends everybody. There were times when I thought he was gonna try to defend everybody on the floor. He just knows how to play.”
The athletic forward also showed an ability to handle the ball in transition.
“He brought the ball up the one time, went coast-to-coast, drove the other time, and found Georges (Niang), he knows how to play basketball,” Rivers added. “He has a great feel and loves playing. We’re really happy with that.”
This is what the Sixers needed. They needed somebody to step in and contribute at both ends of the floor. McDaniels has done that thus far.
“He’s good,” added Tyrese Maxey. “He’s athletic, he runs the floor, he defends, rebounds, shoots the ball, and it’s great to have a guy like him and he’s tall. It’s crazy because I thought I thought I threw it too high and he just had it slip out of his hands. He was great tonight (Monday) and I think we’re gonna run a need him moving forward.”
There were some questions about whether McDaniels would be able to contribute to a championship contender after playing on some bad teams in Charlotte, but he has fit right in with his new team.
“The energy is just different,” said McDaniels. “I can’t even explain it. The energy is just different. Everybody’s positive. We’re just looking for the bigger picture, playoff run, and stuff like that, so guys are really locked in so it’s serious, but we have fun. It’s just great to be a part of it honestly.”
The Sixers look to go into the All-Star break on a high note when they play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
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