The Philadelphia 76ers are on the verge of returning to full strength as they prepare for the upcoming games. Head coach Nick Nurse announced that Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford are expected to be cleared from their respective injuries “any day now.” Oubre has been sidelined since mid-November due to an LCL sprain, while Watford suffered an adductor injury shortly thereafter.
In their absence, Dominick Barlow has emerged in the starting lineup, showcasing significant contributions. Prior to his injury, Oubre had started the first 12 games of the season, averaging 16.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 34.8 minutes, shooting a career-high 49.7 percent overall. Although his three-point shooting stood at 34.3 percent across 5.6 attempts per game, the Sixers now face a crucial decision: should Oubre reclaim his starting position, or should Barlow maintain his spot and allow Oubre to serve as a versatile sixth man?
Barlow’s performance has proven valuable as he played well during Oubre’s absence. The five-man unit of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George, Barlow, and Joel Embiid has outscored opponents by 7.5 points per 100 possessions over 138 combined possessions. While Barlow’s overall shooting has been less effective, particularly from three-point range at 25.0 percent, his ability to create driving lanes has made him a valuable asset.
Oubre’s return brings a different dynamic to the team, as he is a more significant offensive threat compared to Barlow. His ability to cut effectively could provide new offensive options, especially given the attention that Maxey and Embiid command. However, it remains to be seen how he will integrate with the current starting lineup, as he has yet to share the floor with both Embiid and George this season.
Last year, when Oubre, Embiid, and George played together, they struggled, getting outscored by 6.8 points per 100 possessions in 270 minutes. Despite this, Oubre’s offensive prowess—while not the most efficient—presents a challenge for opposing defenses that could help the Sixers unlock new strategies.
The question of whether to start Oubre or keep Barlow in the lineup is compounded by the team’s current scoring dynamics. While Oubre would enhance the starting unit, it might leave the bench lacking in scoring options, particularly with Quentin Grimes as the primary contributor.
Nurse’s management of the lineup will be critical. If he can stagger the minutes effectively, ensuring that the core scorers do not all rest simultaneously, both Grimes and Oubre could thrive without being the focal point of the offense.
Barlow’s contributions as a “glue guy” have proven beneficial, as he ranks fourth on the team with 0.9 screen assists per game and third in loose balls recovered. His hustle plays complement the talents of the starting quartet, creating a formidable presence on the court.
As Oubre nears his return, the Sixers are likely to ease him back into the lineup, possibly retaining Barlow as a starter initially. However, if Oubre outperforms Barlow in practice and games, Nurse may opt for a shift in strategy. The team’s upcoming schedule will provide opportunities to assess the situation further and determine the best course of action, especially after their recent narrow overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The return of both Oubre and Watford is expected to bolster the Sixers as they aim to regain momentum and performance consistency. The decisions made in the coming days will be pivotal in shaping the team’s trajectory for the remainder of the season.
