Many Sixers fans were understandably concerned when KJ Martin went down with a stress reaction in his left foot. Martin had become an integral part of the team’s rotation this season, especially during their recent run.
Before the injury, Martin played 20 or more minutes a game in 11 of his last 12 appearances. From November 12th, Martin averaged 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds a game, shooting 61.4% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. However, since Martin was ruled out, a few players have really stepped up to help the Sixers win their last two games without Martin.
Caleb Martin’s Christmas Performance
When the Sixers played the Boston Celtics on Christmas day, the Celtics were favored to win heavily. Yet, the Sixers were able to show the NBA landscape that they are not ready to call it quits on this season. Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid both had great games and were integral in the win, but someone else on the team stepped up in a big way to secure the win.
Caleb Martin, who was reinserted into the starting lineup after the Martin injury, caught fire and gave Sixers fans the best present of all: Beating the Boston Celtics. With 23 points and a career-high seven three-pointers made, Martin truly could not have had a better moment to light it up from beyond the arc.
Guerschon Yabusele’s Consistency
Guerschon Yabusele is the single best contract in the NBA, and it’s not even close. After his stellar play in the Olympics, the French big man signed a minimum contract with the Sixers and has been a beacon of consistency all year. On the season, Yabu has averaged 9.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He has also had great efficiency, shooting 49.5% from the field and 38.9% from three.
In his last two games since K.J. Martin’s injury, he has increased both his production and his efficiency. He scored 12 points in both the victory over the Celtics and the victory over the Utah Jazz. He has also upped his rebounding numbers, averaging 6.0 over the last two games. Add in his 50/50/100 shooting splits, and it’s easy to see how valuable Yabusele has been for the Sixers.
Looking ahead
While this 76ers season has been anything less than ideal, the Sixers are clawing their way back through the standings with every win. With Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George, as well as consistent play from their role players, the Sixers have found a way to win this month.
In December, the Sixers have an 8-3 record, a far cry from where they were before this month. They now sit just half a game behind the 10th-seeded Detroit Pistons and the 9th-seeded Chicago Bulls. If the Sixers can continue their strong December push into the New Year, Philadelphia may truly begin to look like the contender many thought they could be.
