With key players getting some rest, the Sixers suffered a 97-88 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Cox Pavilion on Tuesday night in Las Vegas Summer League action. The defeat was the Sixers' second in a row and dropped their record in Vegas to 1-2.
Starters Nerlens Noel, K.J. McDaniels and Casper Ware each received the night off for the Sixers.
The Sixers were again led in scoring by Jordan McRae, who put up 21 points and grabbed four rebounds before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with a left ankle sprain.
Guard Adonis Thomas took advantage of being in the starting lineup by scoring 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting. Elijah Millsap had 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, while point guard Scottie Wilbekin chipped in with 10 points.
Suns forward T.J. Warren, the No. 14 overall pick in last month's NBA draft, dominated the Sixers. Warren scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Miles Plumlee controlled action in the paint for Phoenix with 15 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Archie Goodwin added 15 points and seven boards, while Seth Curry had 10 points.
"One of the emphasis we had going into the game and from our first couple games is getting beat on the glass," assistant coach Chad Iske said via the Sixers' website. "We knew coming in with Plumlee especially that offensive rebounds was going to be a big part of their game plan. Challenged the guards to be on the defensive glass. They did a pretty good job. I didn't think our bigs answered the physical challenge of their big guys whatsoever. T.J. Warren came in and got six offensive boards. I mean in the first half their 12 offensive boards allowed them to have a little bit of a cushion. We were a little bit lucky to only be down five."
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Former Temple star Dionte Christmas was also on target for the Suns, draining 4 of 6 three-pointers en route to scoring 15 points in the game.
For the second straight night, the Sixers staged a rally after falling behind early. They were able to eventually take a lead over the Suns in the second half but managed just 17 points in the fourth quarter to take the loss.
"In our camps, both of our camps coming in, was defensive side of the ball and obviously effort's a big part of that," Iske said. "Our transition defense has been really good. That's been one of our main focuses because it wasn't good in the regular season. It was good until tonight. I think we got worn out a little bit physically.
"We had a hard camp. I pushed these guys really hard. This is probably the eighth or ninth straight day where they've had a game or a physical practice or two practices, so I think a few of them hit the wall probably a little bit. But they got to learn how to push through that I guess if they're going to make it on the next level."
The loss locked the Sixers into the 16th seed and they will now face the Los Angeles Lakers at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday when the single-elimination tournament portion of the event begins.