Ever since Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre was struck by a vehicle in Center City two weeks ago, the team has not simply not been the same. In that time, the Sixers have gone on a 3-4 in what’s been a challenging stretch for Philadelphia.
Prior to the forward’s unfortunate injury, the Sixers had started their season 7-1. After many years in bench rotations, Oubre had finally found his place as a solid starting player in Philly, and as his injuries are thankfully only minor, we’ll have to wait another few weeks for him to get back to dazzling us all on the court every night.
Oubre Jr. provided much-needed juice to Sixers
Before his injury, Oubre averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game — a massive upgrade from his replacements in the starting lineup, new Sixers Nic Batum and Robert Covington. In Batum’s three starts since Oubre’s injury, he’s averaged 5.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Covington hasn’t fared much better, logging only 8.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Both Batum and Covington have out-assisted Oubre, who only averaged 0.6 assists per game. Covington is also a defensive weapon — he was even a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2019 shortly after being traded out of Philadelphia after his first stint — and has averaged 0.7 blocks and 1.4 steals per game with Philadelphia, outdoing both Oubre and Batum on the defensive end.
Ideally, to play as best as possible while Oubre recovers and while Joel Embiid is out with a sore hip, Nurse should consider going small-ball with Covington at the four and Paul Reed starting at center — a configuration he’s no stranger to in bench lineups. Interestingly, the Sixers have won two games with Batum starting in place of Oubre and two games with Covington starting. Neither are fantastic replacements for Oubre, but one isn’t horribly worse than the other in any way.
Wednesday night, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nurse started Batum ahead of Covington, which makes sense, considering the Wolves are the best defensive team in the league currently and have size on their side with both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the starting lineup. It also shows that Batum has the trust of the Sixers’ new head coach, something that could affect Oubre Jr.’s role when he eventually returns.
Oubre’s injuries include a fractured rib and multiple minor lacerations. On Monday, Oubre returned to the practice facility for some individual training. Nurse said Oubre would be evaluated in one week. At least until Oubre’s return, we can continue to expect Batum to start for the Sixers in his place, with Covington as the potential alternate unless Nurse wants to try anything fancy.
Without the energy that Oubre Jr. provides on a nightly basis, the Sixers have often looked lackadaisical and have often failed to start their games off on the right foot. Hopefully, once he returns, that will change for Philadelphia, but even after Oubre Jr. returns to the court, it will likely still be some time until he returns to form for the Sixers.
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