Sixers fall 125-120 in overtime to Celtics in preseason finale
Philadelphia lost to Boston 125-120 in overtime in the final preseason game, giving coach Nick Nurse a last look at his projected roster before the regular season starts.
Philadelphia's preseason finale against the Boston Celtics ended in a 125-120 overtime loss, providing head coach Nick Nurse a final opportunity to evaluate his new-look roster before the regular season opener on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Sixers fielded a starting lineup that collectively logged 62 years of NBA experience, including 26 All-Star selections, seven NBA championships and five Finals MVPs, while the Celtics entered the game with a group that had only 25 minutes of league experience.
Sixers forward VJ Edgecombe did not play, with coach Nurse saying the guard needed rest after participating in the team's first three preseason games and intensive practices. Reserve players continued to battle injuries, limiting the full projected starting unit.
In the first quarter, the team introduced its starters, and Boston’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope started in place of Dean Wade, a move Nurse said was intended to simulate Wade’s role if a perimeter player is sidelined during the season. Boston’s Jaylen Brown, playing against former teammates, was given more offensive freedom late in the quarter.
During the second quarter, the Sixers relied on small-ball lineups, with Jabari Walker taking on a four position and showing activity on the offensive glass. Walker said he feels comfortable playing both on the perimeter and in the post, adding that he is improving his rebounding and screen-setting abilities.
Center Joel Embiid, the only healthy center on the roster, recorded eight turnovers, matching his preseason debut total. He noted that early-season turnover numbers are typical for him and aimed to reduce the figure as the season progresses.
In the third quarter, Dean Wade left the game with an ankle issue and did not return. The Sixers kept their starters in the second half to practice a halftime break routine. Embiid highlighted the night with a contested dunk, and Caldwell-Pope contributed a sequence of a corner three, a steal, a layup and an offensive foul.
The overtime period was led by Boston, and the Sixers could not recover. Jaylen Brown, playing as a reserve, posted modest scoring but contributed notable rebounding, a point emphasized given the team's recent challenges on the boards.
The loss concludes the preseason, and the Sixers will begin the regular season on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.