Sixers Gear Up for Season Opener Against Celtics

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Nearly every player on the Philadelphia 76ers roster practiced on Monday as they prepared for their season opener against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Joel Embiid and Paul George were both on the court, showcasing their commitment as the team transitions into a new season.

During the practice, head coach Nick Nurse emphasized the importance of preparation. “Listen, we’re at the stage now where we’re doing game prep. So everybody was involved in all of what we were doing today,” he stated. The only exception was a player recovering from surgery on his right thumb, who remained sidelined.

Last season, the 76ers struggled with a 24-58 record, marking their first losing season since 2016-17. This year, the team aims to improve their performance and test their new fast-paced offense style in actual games.

Nurse reflected on the team’s journey, saying, “I think we’re digging ourselves out of a pretty big hole. I think that we’ve made a lot of progress, and we’ve worked hard, but you’ve got to go play the games now for real.” He expressed optimism about the changes made and the challenge of facing a seasoned Celtics team.

The Celtics, while retaining several role players, have undergone significant roster changes due to the injury of superstar Jayson Tatum, creating a different look this season. In the offseason, they traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis and did not re-sign Al Horford, who accepted a deal with the Golden State Warriors.

Coach Nurse noted that the Celtics still possess talent, having acquired standout shooting guard Anfernee Simons. He acknowledged that their style of play remains effective, stating, “They’re going to try to get you in mismatches, and they’re just really good at playing one-on-one and scoring. If they don’t score, they find the open man.”

The players and coaching staff are eager to start the new season with hopes of leaving last season’s disappointments behind.