Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Idle newcomer Hill still looking for a thumbs-up
PHILADELPHIA » When the Sixers acquired George Hill at the trade deadline, they were convinced his surgically repaired right thumb would be healthy enough to help them late in the season. How late? That, they still can’t answer.
Though the club still didn’t commit to the timetable, there was a small burst of hope the veteran guard could join the Sixers in time for a two-game homestand that began Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But after a modest participation in a shootaround Saturday morning in Camden, Hill was declared unavailable.
“No, no, not yet,” Doc Rivers said. “No contact.”
Hill has missed the last 35 games, five with the Sixers and 30 while with Oklahoma City, following thumb injury. According to the Sixers, the 34-year-old opted for a more complicated surgery designed not just to smooth his return to the NBA but to prevent further damage.
“He shot the ball today,” Rivers reported. “He’s shooting the ball great. But there’s no timetable or anything like that.”
••• After participating in pregame warmups, Joel Embiid was cleared to play Saturday for the first time in 11 games due to a left-knee bruise.
Predictably, the Sixers were planning to be cautious.
“It’s not whether we’ll play him ‘more’ minutes, it’s how many minutes we’ll play him in a row,” Rivers said. “I won’t expect him to play 35 or 40 minutes, but we’ll see. I mean, he looked great. He’s in great condition, so we’re all good.”
• • • Without Embiid, the justcompleted six-game road trip was bound to be a challenge. For that, the Sixers’ 4-2 record yielded a certain satisfaction.
“I think it was a good chance for some bench guys to get some minutes,” Seth Curry said. “It gave them a chance to get their feet wet and get some good experience on the floor. Every game is important, so it was good to see us go out there and take care of business for the most part.
“To go 4-2 on that type of road trip is always good, no matter what.”
• • • Acquired from the Knicks in the three-way trade that brought Hill from Oklahoma City, Iggy Brazdeikis formally joined the Sixers Saturday.
The 6-6 forward with the 6-9 wingspan had played in 13 games in two years for New York, and has had extensive G-League experience.
The Michigan product had been working out at the Sixers’ training complex in Camden.
“It’s good just to get established within the team,” Brazdeikis said. “I was just trying to learn as much as I can, especially early. I was trying to learn the offense, the defense and be an open book.”
A Lithuanian-born Canadian, Brazdeikis is looking forward to continuing his basketball journey.
“Everybody seems really cool here,” he said. “Everyone’s been really welcoming. The team seems close, a lot of high-character guys. I am excited to be a part of that.”
An admitted food hobbyist, Brazdeikis is looking forward to enjoying the Philadelphia restaurant scene, and already has been flipping through some recommendations.
“I’m pretty laid back,” he said. “I love basketball and am a student of the game, so I watch a lot of film. And I really like nature. It’s pretty simple, really.”
• • • NOTES » Mason Jones, on a two-way contract, was available Saturday … The Sixers will host Memphis Sunday night at 7, then go back on the road for four.