The Philadelphia 76ers are officially beyond the 15-game mark of their 2025-26 regular season, making it a suitable time to dissect their lineup data. The most notable trend this season is the three-guard lineup featuring Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes, which has proven to be extremely successful. This trio's success can be attributed largely to Maxey, who is averaging 33.4 points per game – a number only outpaced by Luka Dončić among all NBA players.
However, it's essential to acknowledge the vital role that Grimes plays in making this lineup compatible for all parties. The 6-foot-5 Grimes must slide up to the wing and guard well above his size, despite some limitations defending against NBA wings. Despite these challenges, Nurse has consistently trusted Grimes to defend high-profile opponents in crunch time.
Grimes' ability to provide constant two-way jolts in fourth quarters makes him an invaluable asset for the team. He believes that when he's aggressive and the team is attacking, it puts pressure on the defense. His defensive prowess can be seen in his recent performances against teams like Jaylen Brown, Khris Middleton, and Brandon Ingram.
As Kelly Oubre Jr. misses at least two weeks with a left knee injury, Grimes will be tasked with guarding up in three-guard lineups more frequently. Nurse has considered starting Grimes alongside Maxey and Edgecombe to begin second halves, but it remains to be seen if this strategy will become a regular occurrence.
Grimes' partnership with Edgecombe has shown promise, particularly in situations where Maxey is not on the floor. However, neither player is a traditional point guard, and their limitations have been evident during minutes when Maxey rests. The team's struggles with backup point guard minutes are largely due to Jared McCain's injury and subsequent reduced mobility.
Despite these challenges, Grimes' ability to help swing games in favor of the Sixers has been impressive. His confidence in his defensive abilities is palpable, as he believes that trusting him will give him more confidence to take on tougher matchups. When Maxey sits, Grimes must step up to handle the burden of guarding the opponent's best players.
The data suggests that Grimes' value lies in his ability to complement Maxey's incredible scoring prowess. The Sixers' net rating jumps from -9.8 with Maxey off the floor to +5.4 when he is on the court alongside Joel Embiid but off the floor. This significant improvement underscores Maxey's importance in elevating his teammates.
Maxey's ability to lead the team to success, particularly during times when Embiid is limited defensively, has been a crucial factor in the Sixers' early-season success. However, it remains to be seen how consistently the team can rely on him as he continues to develop into one of the top players in the league.
In conclusion, Quentin Grimes' emergence as a key contributor to the Sixers' success cannot be overstated. His defensive prowess and ability to provide a spark off the bench make him an invaluable asset for Nurse's rotations. As Kelly Oubre Jr. misses time, Grimes will be tasked with shouldering even more responsibility, and his confidence in his abilities will be crucial in helping the team overcome challenges down the stretch.
However, it's essential to acknowledge the vital role that Grimes plays in making this lineup compatible for all parties. The 6-foot-5 Grimes must slide up to the wing and guard well above his size, despite some limitations defending against NBA wings. Despite these challenges, Nurse has consistently trusted Grimes to defend high-profile opponents in crunch time.
Grimes' ability to provide constant two-way jolts in fourth quarters makes him an invaluable asset for the team. He believes that when he's aggressive and the team is attacking, it puts pressure on the defense. His defensive prowess can be seen in his recent performances against teams like Jaylen Brown, Khris Middleton, and Brandon Ingram.
As Kelly Oubre Jr. misses at least two weeks with a left knee injury, Grimes will be tasked with guarding up in three-guard lineups more frequently. Nurse has considered starting Grimes alongside Maxey and Edgecombe to begin second halves, but it remains to be seen if this strategy will become a regular occurrence.
Grimes' partnership with Edgecombe has shown promise, particularly in situations where Maxey is not on the floor. However, neither player is a traditional point guard, and their limitations have been evident during minutes when Maxey rests. The team's struggles with backup point guard minutes are largely due to Jared McCain's injury and subsequent reduced mobility.
Despite these challenges, Grimes' ability to help swing games in favor of the Sixers has been impressive. His confidence in his defensive abilities is palpable, as he believes that trusting him will give him more confidence to take on tougher matchups. When Maxey sits, Grimes must step up to handle the burden of guarding the opponent's best players.
The data suggests that Grimes' value lies in his ability to complement Maxey's incredible scoring prowess. The Sixers' net rating jumps from -9.8 with Maxey off the floor to +5.4 when he is on the court alongside Joel Embiid but off the floor. This significant improvement underscores Maxey's importance in elevating his teammates.
Maxey's ability to lead the team to success, particularly during times when Embiid is limited defensively, has been a crucial factor in the Sixers' early-season success. However, it remains to be seen how consistently the team can rely on him as he continues to develop into one of the top players in the league.
In conclusion, Quentin Grimes' emergence as a key contributor to the Sixers' success cannot be overstated. His defensive prowess and ability to provide a spark off the bench make him an invaluable asset for Nurse's rotations. As Kelly Oubre Jr. misses time, Grimes will be tasked with shouldering even more responsibility, and his confidence in his abilities will be crucial in helping the team overcome challenges down the stretch.
The Sixers' three-guard lineup is defo on fire 
, but we gotta talk about VJ Edgecombe's role in it too 
. I mean, he's not just a pretty face, Grimes brings that intangibles to the table 
. His confidence is so high right now, and it's infectious 
. But, let's be real, when Maxey sits, the Sixers struggle big time 
. They need someone to step up and fill those minutes, or they'll get left behind 
.
I mean, he's not just guarding above his size, he's also got the court vision to set up teammates for easy scores 
. It's a two-way player mentality that's paying off huge 
.
... but at the same time, I think it's a bit unfair to put all the pressure on him to fill Oubre Jr's shoes, like what if he's not as effective when Kelly's out for an extended period? 
I mean, Nurse seems to trust him a lot, but how will they adapt if other teams start playing more physical against them? 
but let's give Quentin Grimes all the love he deserves!!! 
he's literally the real MVP right now and his defense has been on POINTS 
. Without him, they're all over the place. Need to develop Edgecombe ASAP