Kelly Oubre Jr. Steps Up as Sixers Navigate Lineup Challenges
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia 76ers are still very much a work in progress. With injuries and load management shuffling the rotation on a near-nightly basis, head coach Nick Nurse has had to stay flexible-and creative.
One of his latest adjustments? Sliding Kelly Oubre Jr. into the starting lineup.
And so far, it’s a move that’s paying off.
Oubre, now in his 11th NBA season, has become a stabilizing presence amid the chaos. He’s not just filling a spot-he’s bringing juice on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, he’s shown a willingness to adapt to whatever the team needs. Defensively, he’s been a tone-setter, using his length, instincts, and energy to disrupt opposing offenses.
“He plays both ends, right? That’s the main thing,” Nurse said.
“He’s been pretty effective on both ends, and the other probably main thing is he’s in about his 10th year. He’s got a lot of stuff under his belt.
A lot of minutes. A lot of games.
That helps, too.”
That experience is showing. Oubre’s not just playing hard-he’s playing smart.
He’s reading the game, anticipating actions before they unfold, and making timely plays that don’t always show up in the box score. Whether it’s jumping a passing lane, rotating on time, or blowing up a pick-and-roll, he’s making winning plays.
“Probably at the top would be just his overall reading of situations,” Nurse added. “Just having a feel for anticipating what might happen next and getting involved in that and breaking that up.
But he’s also been much better on the ball. He’s been much better in screen-and-roll.
Stuff like that.”
For a team trying to find consistency in the midst of lineup uncertainty, Oubre’s adaptability is invaluable. He’s embraced the role of a utility guy-someone who can guard multiple positions, hit timely shots, and bring edge to a team that needs it.
And in his own words, Oubre is just trying to “be water”-to flow with whatever the game asks of him. That mindset, paired with his physical tools and veteran savvy, is giving the Sixers something they badly need right now: reliability.
As the season grinds on and the Sixers look to solidify their identity heading into the stretch run, don’t be surprised if Oubre continues to play a key role. He’s not just fitting in-he’s helping hold things together.