Doc Rivers on Why Thybulle Benefits From Playing With Lillard

Matisse Thybulle has found success so far in Portland. Sixers head coach Doc Rivers explains why he believes that's the case.

For the first time in his career, Matisse Thybulle is playing for another team other than the Philadelphia 76ers, who drafted him back in 2019.

Now a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, Thybulle finds himself a better fit on a team that needed his services as a starter.

Going into his first game back against the Sixers as a member of the Blazers, Thybulle noted the main differences between the two organizations that are helping him find more success on the offensive end of the floor, an area in which he struggled while playing with the Sixers.

On Thursday afternoon, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers noted the one factor that he thinks will help Thybulle thrive in Portland; playing alongside the star guard, Damian Lillard.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him. I don’t want him to do great, obviously, but I think it’s a great place for him,” Rivers said of Thybulle. “I think playing along Dame and watching Dame work will help him as well at his position.”

Being in the NBA since 2012, Lillard has established himself as one of the NBA’s best scoring guards. He’s started in all 762 games he’s played in since entering the league and has averaged 25 points over that span of time.

As the 2022-2023 season winds down, Lillard is averaging at least 30 points for the second time in his career. Considering he’s such a dominant force on the offensive end, the attention he draws from the defense helps get his teammates like Thybulle open looks.

“You’re guaranteed to get open stuff with Dame,” Rivers added. “You have to. Watching Boston last night, they committed two and three guys to [Dame]. So, you can cut, move, space, you’re gonna get a lot of stuff. [Matisse is] getting minutes there, which I think is important for him.”

With the Sixers this season, Thybulle averaged a career-low 12 minutes per game. With a lack of playing time, the defensive standout struggled to gain a rhythm, which was reflected in his production.

Since joining the Blazers, Thybulle’s minutes have gone up to a career-high of 30 minutes per game while he’s become a full-time starter. 

With an increased role in Portland’s rotation, Thybulle is averaging eight points and four rebounds while knocking down 41 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. 

Thybulle’s sample size in Portland is small, but it’s clear his new situation is more beneficial for him on a personal note. And in Rivers’ eyes, playing alongside a guy like Lillard, who draws so much attention and has been a mentor to Thybulle even before he got to the Blazers, will help unleash the best version of the former first-round pick out of Washington. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.