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If you wanted to watch the Sixers’ young players, tonight’s preseason finale is for you!

With the regular-season opener less than a week away, the Sixers aren’t taking any chances with their key contributors.

Brooklyn Nets v Philadelphia 76ers Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

There are so many guys NOT playing for the Sixers Friday, it might just be easier to tell you who is playing.

But for the sake of being thorough, we’ll provide both. Ben Simmons, who always seemed like a long shot to play, is listed as doubtful with a designation of “return to competition reconditioning.” A team official confirmed that Simmons was not with the team and will be out.

Here are the Sixers who are out tonight:

Joel Embiid (rest)

Simmons (return to competition reconditioning)

Danny Green (rest)

Tobias Harris (right knee soreness)

Shake Milton (right ankle sprain)

Matisse Thybulle (right shoulder soreness)

Grant Riller (left knee surgery)

Here are the Sixers who are available tonight:

Seth Curry

Tyrese Maxey

Furkan Korkmaz

Isaiah Joe

Georges Niang

Andre Drummond

Paul Reed

Jaden Springer

Charles Bassey

Shaquille Harrison

Aaron Henry

The Pistons’ injury report is just as long. No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham is nursing an ankle injury and hasn’t played at all this preseason. He’s listed as out. Villanova product Saddiq Bey is considered doubtful with an ankle injury of his own.

There is still intrigue to the game, especially if you’re interested in watching the team’s young prospects.

Chances are we see regular rotation players like Curry, Maxey, Niang, Korkmaz, and Drummond early, but not much in the second half. The game should offer an opportunity for players like Joe, Reed, Springer, and Bassey to get some extended run — though with the Sixers’ current injuries, Joe might also be a guy Doc Rivers looks to get out of the game early.

We haven’t seen a ton from Springer and Bassey, the team’s 2021 draft picks. Rivers commented that he isn’t sure what Springer’s ultimate position is and noted that the 19-year-old still has work to do on his three-point shot. While in Delaware for the Blue x White scrimmage, Rivers praised Bassey’s raw tools, saying he’d be surprised if the Western Kentucky product isn’t a good pro for a long time.

Game Info

Who: Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons

When: 7:00 pm ET, October 15, 2021

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Follow: @Liberty_Ballers

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