Simmons set to return for Sixers, who should have great chance to snap skid

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The 39-21 Sixers are 1.5 games behind the first-place Nets and two games ahead of the third-place Bucks heading into their matchup with the 20-40 Thunder.

Here are the essentials for Monday night’s game: 

  • When: 7 p.m. ET with Sixers Pregame Live at 6:15 p.m. 
  • Where: Wells Fargo Center 
  • Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia  
  • Live stream: NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and the MyTeams app 

And here are three storylines to watch: 

Simmons, Embiid set to return 

Ben Simmons has been upgraded to available after being listed as out Sunday night with an illness. The Sixers went 0-4 during the time Simmons was sidelined.

Joel Embiid is available and will start, according to the Sixers. He'd been listed as questionable with right shoulder soreness and missed the Sixers' loss Saturday to the Bucks.

Danny Green (left hip recovery) and Mike Scott (left hip soreness) are out.

“I’m not concerned about our overall health,” Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said Saturday. “I’m just concerned about the amount of games we’re missing. Health-wise, I think we’re going to be fine. I think Ben’s going to be fine. Joel’s going to be fine. Tobias is still trying to get healthy. I think Furk will be fine. Seth (Curry) is back. But when you’re naming all those guys, that tells you your problem at the same time. We’ve got to get rhythm with all our guys playing. We’ve got 12 games left. We’ve got tomorrow off. Hopefully ... by the time we play, we’ve got more guys on the floor. 

“We’ve just got to get our rotations down so we can play them and work on stuff. It’s really important for probably one guy, and (that’s) George Hill — so we can put him in his spot instead of playing him with guys he probably wouldn’t play with early and things like that. So there’s a lot of little things.”

For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right foot plantar fasciitis), Luguentz Dort (right hip strain), Mike Muscala (right ankle sprain) and Tony Bradley (left ankle sprain) are notable players out. Dort scored a career-high 42 points earlier this month.

One losing streak will end 

The Sixers’ losing streak is at a season-high four games. Oklahoma City’s, meanwhile, is at 13. The team hasn’t won a game in April. 

One of the Thunder’s defeats was against the Sixers, a 117-93 decision on April 10 in Oklahoma City. Embiid starred with 27 points and four blocks, while Korkmaz had 20 points and a career-high five steals. 

Anything can happen in the NBA, but this is a game the Sixers should win. Against a young opponent most concerned with the future, it's a good opportunity to start the new week with a victory.

More chances for Maxey to shine 

The Sixers’ recent health problems have led to increased playing time for Tyrese Maxey. He’s averaged 20.9 minutes over the last five games, posting 11.8 points and 2.2 assists per contest. 

A developing player at 20 years old, Maxey has shown progress lately in mixing up his pace, settling for fewer floaters and executing at a higher level overall defensively. 

Hill got to know the rookie's game during the scrimmages among low-minute players he participated in as he was ramping back up to game action. 

“I like the kid a lot,” Hill said. “I think he’s going to have a bright future in the NBA. I like his speed. … He listens. He’s going to be a really good guard. I just try to do the things and tell him the things I’ve learned from some of the great players I’ve played with — the good and the bad on and off the floor, just so he can be a better player.”

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