Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, right, goes up for a shot against Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, center, and Jakob Poeltl during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, center, goes up for a shot between Toronto Raptors’ Malachi Flynn, left, and O.G. Anunoby during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre’s ascension to the starting lineup in place of PJ Tucker, who was included in the Harden deal, left the Sixers with a thin bench. Marcus Morris and Nic Batum did not play in their first game since they were dealt by the Clippers. Robert Covington and K.J. Martin got some run in the final 90 seconds with the game in hand.
Nurse said the newest 76ers would need extra work at practices and shootarounds — “as much as you can without overloading them — before they earn significant playing time. Nurse can teach, scheme — yes, even deal with the media — without Harden’s availability serving as the constant theme of the day.