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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
PHILADELPHIA -- Larry Brown wasn't ready to talk about
potential roster moves. He still was trying to accept having to
replace Speedy Claxton.
Claxton hasn't played a regular-season game for the Philadelphia
76ers, but the loss of the No. 1 draft pick is devastating to a
team that didn't make other significant offseason moves.
|  | | Speedy Claxton, here driving against the Wizards, saw his rookie year cut to just a few exhibition games. |
"The way he was playing, he was going to be a big part of our
team," Brown said after practice Monday. "He's a point guard who
can play far ahead of most young kids defensively. He's real
unselfish offensively. He gave us a new tempo, more flexibility."
Now the Sixers will have to get that from someone else. Claxton,
the 20th pick in June's NBA draft, tore the anterior cruciate
ligament in his left knee during Sunday's exhibition game against
Utah.
Claxton underwent an MRI on Monday that confirmed the tear, and
showed no additional damage to the knee.
Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy said the rookie will
undergo surgery at some point, but that will be determined after
the swelling goes down.
With a week left before the season opener at New York, the
Sixers are scrambling to find another point guard.
Claxton, a star at Hofstra, was drafted specifically to be a
backup to point guard Eric Snow, who missed several games during
last season's playoffs because of injury.
But Claxton was probably going to get more than just backup
minutes.
Brown raved about the rookie's quickness, athleticism and court
awareness. He saw him as a key addition to a team that advanced to
the Eastern Conference semifinals two straight seasons.
"It's a killer," Brown said.
Claxton was averaging 5.8 points and a team-high 4.2 assists per
game before getting hurt while driving to the basket on a
fast break.
The injury gives Jermaine Jackson and former Temple star Pepe
Sanchez a better opportunity to make the team. Brown said he didn't
want to play Aaron McKie at the point, even though he did it last
season.
Jackson played seven games for the Detroit Pistons last season,
averaging 10.4 minutes, 1.0 points and 1.6 assists.
"It's not the way I wanted it to happen," Jackson said. "But
it's my turn to step up and fill the shoes."
Sanchez, a standout with the Owls, is more skilled as a defender
than a shooter.
"In my wildest dreams, I didn't think I'd get a chance because
someone got hurt," Sanchez said. "I feel very happy with myself.
I worked my butt off. I hope it pays off."
If neither Jackson nor Sanchez is the answer, the 76ers could
sign a free agent. Philadelphia holds both its $2.25 million and
$1.2 million salary-cap exceptions.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Utah Clubhouse
Philadelphia Clubhouse
Iverson ankle sprain not expected to keep him out
RECAPS
Indiana 86
LA Clippers 82
Utah 83
Philadelphia 71
Detroit 116
Phoenix 109
Milwaukee 119
Minnesota 111
LA Lakers 94
Golden State 87
Sacramento 113
Seattle 110
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