Quentin Grimes Is Stepping Up for the Sixers - But the Bench Isn’t Keeping Pace
The Philadelphia 76ers have been rolling offensively this season, and Quentin Grimes has quietly become a key part of that success. With Tyrese Maxey sidelined due to illness since the Sixers’ narrow loss to the Lakers on December 8, Grimes has stepped into the starting lineup - and he’s brought plenty to the table. But while Grimes is doing his part, the Sixers’ bench has struggled to keep up, and that’s starting to show in the win-loss column.
Grimes, who arrived in Philly from Dallas during the 2024-25 season, signed a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer in the offseason. Since then, he’s been a consistent contributor, averaging 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
What makes those numbers even more impressive? He’s only started six of his 24 appearances.
That kind of production off the bench is exactly what teams dream of - a player who can come in, change the tempo, and spark the offense. But with Maxey out, Grimes has been pulled into the starting five, and that shift has exposed a major issue: Philadelphia’s second unit just isn’t producing.
A Bench in Need of a Spark
The Sixers’ recent 120-117 loss to the Atlanta Hawks was a prime example of the problem. Grimes put up a respectable 14 points in the starting role, but the bench unit behind him managed just nine points total. That’s not just a quiet night - it’s a red flag.
To be fair, not every bench player is expected to light up the scoreboard. Andre Drummond, for instance, grabbed 10 rebounds in about 20 minutes, doing exactly what he’s there to do.
But for others, especially young guards like Jared McCain and Justin Edwards, the expectation is different. If the Sixers want to be a serious postseason threat, those two need to hit shots - especially when Grimes is pushed into a starting role.
Against Atlanta, McCain and Edwards combined for zero points. That’s not going to cut it, particularly in games where the starters need help carrying the load.
Grimes’ Value Goes Beyond the Box Score
What makes Grimes so valuable isn’t just the scoring - it’s the way he changes the flow of the game. When he’s coming off the bench and playing alongside guys like Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, the offense moves differently. The ball zips around, defenders are forced to make tough choices, and Grimes has shown he can punish them when they leave him open.
He’s already had seven games this season with 20+ points off the bench. That kind of firepower is rare - and it’s exactly what the Sixers are missing when he’s in the starting five instead.
The reality is, this is the NBA. Over the course of a long season, guys are going to miss time.
Whether it’s Maxey, Edgecombe, or someone else, the Sixers will need to lean on their depth. And when that happens, they can’t afford for the bench to go silent.
Moving Forward
Grimes is proving he can handle a bigger role, but the Sixers need to find a way to back him up. If the second unit continues to underperform, it puts more pressure on the starters, and that’s not sustainable - especially come playoff time.
Philadelphia has the talent to make a deep run. But unless the bench starts pulling its weight, Grimes’ breakout season might end up being one of the few bright spots in an otherwise frustrating campaign.
For now, the Sixers have a clear challenge: figure out how to replicate Grimes’ impact when he’s not anchoring the second unit. If they can do that, they’ll be a tough out in the East. If not, they risk wasting a season where one of their most dynamic players is giving them everything he’s got.