Sixers Bell Ringer: Mercifully, the preseason is over

Another Sixers star leaves a game with an injury and the Sixers got crushed by a healthy Magic team Friday.

Well, this was a preseason forget.

The Sixers played their final game before the regular season and were beat up by the Magic, 114-99. Nobody cares about the result, but fans certainly care about Tyrese Maxey leaving the game early with a right thumb contusion.

There’s no use recapping this one too much. Let’s get to Bell Ringer and move the hell on to the games that count.

Kelly Oubre, Jr.: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

With no Joel Embiid or Paul George and Maxey leaving the game early, someone needed to generate offense. After a couple early turnovers, Oubre was able to change speeds well as the pick-and-roll ball handler, freeze big man Wendell Carter, Jr. and then blow by him for a dunk.

While Oubre took a lot of threes early in preseason (with mixed results), he appeared to really focus on driving to the rim during the last two preseason games. Oubre has a lightning quick first step and the athleticism to either finish at the rim or draw fouls (or both).

A few minutes later, he was able to get by Jonathan Isaac, an elite and versatile defender, with a nice hesitation dribble and draw a foul. He had a couple nice lefty floaters go down as well. Oubre was efficient from the field, going 6-of-10. He also got to the line six times, going 5-of-6. It was also good to see him dole out two assists. Oubre can get serious tunnel vision, something he improved upon last season.

Andre Drummond: 12 points, 20(!) rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist

Well, we all knew Drummond could rebound. He was a monster on the glass all preseason and grabbed 20 in this one Friday. I don’t think the Sixers wanted to see what life would be like without Embiid so soon, but Drummond demonstrated what he’s still capable of.

It’s been fun to see Nick Nurse letting Drummond cook, but man, it’s also led to some hilarity.

This encompasses the Drummond experience pretty well. He is more skilled than people realize, but he also does some head-scratching stuff. With all that said, what an upgrade over what the Sixers had at backup center last season.