The Sixers' starting lineups have been a revolving door of players. Thursday’s combination of Ish Smith, Isaiah Canaan, Hollis Thompson, Jerami Grant and Nerlens Noel marked the 32nd different starting five of the season and fifth in nine games since Jahlil Okafor was sidelined.
The changes mean the Sixers have to adjust to new players at new positions, which has led to some lag time at the start of games. They trailed the Wizards 58-39 at halftime and tried to play catchup late in the fourth before suffering a 99-94 loss (see game recap).
“It’s been a little different with the lineups,” Noel said. “Not that that’s an excuse, but we’re still figuring some things out.”
Beginning in February, the Sixers settled into a starting group of Smith, Nik Stauskas, Robert Covington, Noel and Okafor. Those five, with Noel and Okafor switching positions after the All-Star break, started nine games until injuries hit the team.
Noel missed two games (knee) earlier this month and Carl Landry, a true power forward, started in his place. Covington and Grant started last Friday against the Nets and both left the game after colliding. Grant returned to the starting lineup Thursday, but Covington remains out while following the NBA concussion protocol.
“It’s a lot of rotation, not really ‘I’m guarding him,’” Noel said. “It’s a lot of switches and a lot scrambling. It’s a lot tougher than being able to sit in one spot.”
Down frontcourt players, including Richaun Holmes (Achilles strain), guards and wings have had to transition into mismatched positions. Brown has inserted Thompson and Kendall Marshall at the four spot at times in the smaller lineups.
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“Every night is going to be different,” Canaan said. “We’ve just got to go out there and play no matter what. Whatever coach puts out there, we all practice together and we know all the positions. We’ve just got to go out there and fight. We may be challenged height-wise, but at the end of of the day it’s part of the job.”
The Sixers' starting five is a work in progress as the team addresses injuries. While they can't pinpoint exactly how long it takes for them to get settled at the start of the game with a varying group, they want to expedite it.
"Whatever it is, it’s too long, so we’ve got to do better," Thompson said.