Kelly Oubre Jr anchors 76ers offense amid Maxey and Embiid’s absence

Kelly Oubre Jr isn’t a guy on the Philadelphia 76ers that’s making $39 million per year – he’s on a minimum NBA salary playing every game like it’s his last.

Without the services of the Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, someone (anyone) needed to step up and carry the shorthanded 76ers’ offensive load, and while the Sixers have struggled to remain in the win column, Oubre has answered the call when the team needed him most.

By The Numbers…

Since Maxey suffered a concussion five games ago against the Dallas Mavericks, Kelly Oubre Jr. has averaged 22.8 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, 8.0 free-throw attempts per game, on 40.0% field shooting (19.0 shot attempts per game) and 25.0% perimeter shooting (5.6 attempts per game) as both a starter and reserve.

The 76ers are 2-3 in their last five games and Kelly Oubre Jr. has led Philadelphia in scoring within this span except for Tyrese Maxey (24 points), who only played one game. 

Oubre recorded his most notable performance of this stretch in a loss against the Brooklyn Nets where he tallied 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, on 11-20 shooting from the field and 6-8 foul shooting.

Kelly Oubre Jr: Last 5 Games

Kelly Oubre Jr. in the last 5 games

18 PTS / 10 REB / 3 STL / 6-19 FG
20 PTS / 7 REB / 2 AST / 7-18 FG
25 PTS / 2 STL / 7-21 FG / 9-9 FT
30 PTS / 6 REB / 4 AST / 11-20 FG
21 PTS / 5 REB / 4 AST / 7-17 FG

📸: Jesse D. Garrabrant (Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/YZTcIKPGT1

— Jacob Moreno (@Jacobmorenonba) March 11, 2024

Oubre’s Slashing Ability

While Kelly Oubre Jr. has been in and out of the starting lineup these past five games, one element to his play has been consistent, constant aggressive drives to the basket. 

Whether it’s off the catch or the dribble, Oubre has constantly put pressure on the rim by muscling through pesky point-of-attack defenders such as Josh Green, Cameron Johnson, and Jose Alvarado and finishing at the rim while drawing contact.

The 76ers forward has excelled at coming off of pin-down screens and getting to the basket as well as popping 12-foot pull-up jumpers around the elbow. Oubre wittingly takes advantage of switch coverage against guards like Jalen Brunson and Kyrie Irving by using his size to power his way to the paint. 

KELLY OUBRE. 😤

pic.twitter.com/jPDRyFfQON

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 7, 2024

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The Extra Effort

Slashing aside, Oubre has been ferocious attacking the offensive glass, netting 2.4 offensive rebounds per contest in the last five games, which is the second highest on the 76ers as Paul Reed leads the team with 3.4 offensive boards per game. 

While the 76ers forward been much more of an on-ball player amid Maxey and Embiid’s absence, he’s constantly back-cutting from the weak side as a result of Kyle Lowry and Cameron Payne’s dribble penetration. 

Oubre’s Inefficiency

Despite Oubre’s scoring uptick, his overall efficiency has tanked as he’s shooting 40.0% from the field in March. Many would credit that to his shot-chucking tendencies, which has usually been the case, however, he doesn’t have much of a choice, but to be a high-volume scorer without Maxey and Embiid on the floor.

Tobias Harris’ inconsistency as a scorer, Buddy Hield’s cold shooting, and Kyle Lowry’s lack of scoring have forced Oubre to become the main source of the 76ers offense. Philadelphia’s offense has been so out of whack in this stretch that Paul Reed has been the second most reliable scoring option averaging 13.0 points and 7.6 rebounds on 54.0% shooting from the field (10.0 shot attempts per game). 

Improved Playmaking

Though Oubre’s specialty has been attacking the rim, Oubre’s play-making has slowly improved being the lead offensive creator. When the 76ers forward drives to the basket, he often draws multiple defenders, leaving room for weak-side shooters and cutters. 

Oubre hasn’t always made these advanced reads but has improved in that area as of late using his rim gravity to create a clutch corner triple as well as an inside shot for Paul Reed in the 76ers’ 79-73 win over the New York Knicks. 

With the ball in his hands, Oubre has scanned the floor at a much better level as of late, finding Tobias Harris for spot-up threes and swinging it to Buddy Hield, curling off of flare-screens.

Kelly Oubre Jr. has just 2.8 assists to show for his improved playmaking and facilitating, but when you consider the fact that in the last five games, Philadelphia has an offensive rating of just 108.3 (25th of 30) along with horrid efficiency of 42.0% shooting from the field (28th of 30) and 32.3% shooting from beyond (26th of 30), you start to get a better sense of the dysfunction the 76ers’ offense resides in.

Two excellent Kelly Oubre assists to Paul Reed down the stretch of tonight's game.

Excellent drive and kick the first time, perfect spin and dump down on the second assist. Drew extra defenders and made a great decision. Huge for the @Michael_Levin agenda. pic.twitter.com/idu2SYGN3B

— Daniel Olinger (@dan_olinger) March 11, 2024

With Tyrese Maxey returning tomorrow against the New York Knicks, a lot of offensive pressure will be taken off of Kelly Oubre Jr. shoulders, allowing him to lock in defensively, attempt higher quality shots, and thrive off the ball as a cutter.

Mandatory Credit: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)