De’Anthony Melton was able to practice Wednesday and the valuable two-way guard is hoping to return to the Sixers’ lineup for Game 3 vs. the Knicks.
Through two games against the Knicks, the Sixers have yet to get many contributions from anyone not named Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey. That’s a big part of the reason they find themselves in a 2-0 hole.
Perhaps a reinforcement could be on the way.
De’Anthony Melton, who played in just 38 games this season, practiced Wednesday and could make his return to the lineup for Game 3 in Philly Thursday.
“Today, I went through practice,” Melton said, “so I’m feeling good. I’m ready for the game tomorrow and we’ll just have to see.”
Head coach Nick Nurse said he believes Melton will be listed as questionable when the official injury report comes out.
Melton has dealt with a back issue for basically the entire second half of the season, playing in only six games in 2024 and missing the first two games of the Sixers’ first-round series. Despite the nagging issue and it being a contract year, Melton believes the Sixers have a special group that he wants to be a part of.
“I feel like when this team in fully healthy and we got everybody going, I feel like we’re the best team in the league,” Melton said. “We’ve all felt like that, even from the beginning of the year — understanding we’ve had a lot of trades, but we’ve gotten better.”
And boy could the Sixers use any kind of spark off the bench.
The Sixers clearly have the best two players in the series in Embiid and Maxey. The issue has been that the next eight-best players have been Knicks as New York has raced out to a 2-0 series lead. The Sixers have gotten a combined 17 points from their bench. Deuce McBride alone had 21 in Game 1 for the Knicks.
Nicolas Batum and Buddy Hield have not been able to build off the success they had in the Play-In Game. Paul Reed has been fine in his limited minutes. Simply put, the Sixers just need more from their reserves.
Now, that’s a lot of pressure to put on a guy like Melton, but the two-way guard has proven to be immensely valuable during his Sixers tenure. His ability to rack up deflections and stocks is in line with Nurse’s defensive philosophy. For as good of a job as the Sixers have done containing New York in the halfcourt, the Knicks have 18 total turnovers in the series. Melton is also a valuable offensive piece, adding quick-trigger shooting (the Sixers are 25-of-71 (35.2%) from three) and some playmaking chops.
“I’m going to play my game, do what I do,” Melton said, “and whatever comes with it, comes with it.”
Fitting response for a man nicknamed Mr. Do Something.
Plus, you can’t underestimate the type of lift Melton’s return could provide for his teammates. He’s well-liked in the locker room and has become one of Tyrese Maxey’s best friends. Melton taking the floor in front of the home crowd should create some positive energy.
The Sixers and Knicks square off at The Center Thursday night for Game 3 (NBCSP/TNT).