76ers Stars Show Strong Support for Jaden Springer After Celtics Game

Jaden Springer stated a solid case for more playing time against the Celtics on Wednesday.

Down a couple of key players heading into the second night of a back-to-back set, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse utilized 11 players on Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics. The matchup served as an opportunity for non-rotational-regulars to state a case for minutes moving forward, and nobody took advantage of the moment more than Jaden Springer.

“[We] still got to learn a lot of what’s going on with this team,” Nick Nurse explained on Wednesday. “I think that maybe a night like tonight when it is a back-to-back, we look at some fresh bodies. I think that we do have some guys that we probably count on regularly, but you know, it’s a heavy schedule, and all that kind of stuff might be a good idea to just try a different rotation on back-to-backs.”

Heading into the 11th game of the season, Springer was set to make his seventh appearance. In prior outings where he earned playing time, the third-year guard averaged just eight minutes on the floor. Against the Celtics on Wednesday, he clocked in for a season-high 20 minutes.

And every minute was earned.

Great, really good, and awesome was the way the Sixers’ top three players described the former first-rounder’s performance. One thing you wouldn’t hear from the Sixers’ locker room was that they were in any way shocked by Springer’s showing.

With little playing time beyond the G League level through his first two seasons, Springer entered the 2023-2024 season with many question marks surrounding his game from outsiders. As for the Sixers, they’ve seen plenty of the defensive standout in practice and knew that with some extended minutes, he could thrive in an expanded role. 

76ers' Jaden Springer gets his hand on a block against the Celtics.  / USA Today

That’s why Tyrese Maxey's encouragement to stay ready was key on Wednesday.

“I told him before the game, ‘Be ready,’ and he was ready,” Maxey stated. “I’m proud of him.”

Springer’s impact typically flashes as soon as he gets on the court. Once again, that was the case on Wednesday night. Once he checked into the game at the top of the second quarter, Springer drilled a three, sending signs to the Celtics’ defense to respect his shot from beyond the arc.

Helping give the Sixers a much-needed spark in a game where they trailed by as many as 17 points early on, Springer stuck on the court for the entire second quarter. During that time, he produced seven points on the offensive end while grabbing two boards and one steal on defense. His two early turnovers generated a little worry in the beginning, but he quickly erased those mistakes once he got settled in.

“[He] came out with great energy,” said forward Tobias Harris. “Defensively, he was everywhere for us — that’s who he is.”

The first-half audition for Springer earned him an additional eight minutes in crunch time. Springer didn’t pack the same offensive punch in the second half, but he snatched another steal, which led to a transition dunk, setting the tone for the Sixers as they attempted to bounce back after a Tuesday night loss.

Team-wise, the Sixers couldn’t find success, falling short to the Celtics with a ten-point loss. On a personal note, though, Springer did exactly what he needed to stick on Nurse’s radar as he evaluates the incomplete rotation moving forward.

“He certainly did everything he could possibly do in his minutes tonight,” Nurse claimed. “Still got to learn a lot of what’s going on with this team.”

Ultimately, it’s up to Nurse to issue minutes, but for what it’s worth, Springer has the team’s most notable players campaigning for him.

“He should definitely get a lot of minutes,” Joel Embiid declared. “… I’m sure as they see, I’m sure they’re gonna get a better feel, and they’re gonna start using him more.”

"It was great to see him have an opportunity to go out, play, and showcase what everybody has seen," Harris added. "Just to be ready for his opportunity, I was extremely happy and proud of him.”

Springer might not enter the Sixers’ next matchup knowing that another 20-minute shift is guaranteed, but his teammates continue to preach staying ready so when that time comes again, he finds similar results.