Sixers Veterans Prepare Youngsters for Playoff Intensity

Experienced players share insights on what to expect in the postseason

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:36pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court scene, with players' forms broken down into overlapping angular shapes and planes, conveying the heightened energy and pressure of the NBA playoffs.Veteran Sixers players share their playoff wisdom to ready the team's young core for the intensity of the postseason.Philadelphia Today

As the Philadelphia 76ers near a return to the playoffs, veteran players like Paul George are taking time to educate the team's younger, inexperienced players on what to expect in the postseason. With several Sixers set to make their playoff debuts, the veterans are drawing on their own past experiences to prepare the youngsters for the heightened intensity and pressure of the playoffs.

Why it matters

Navigating the playoffs for the first time can be daunting, so the Sixers' veterans are taking a proactive approach to ensure their younger teammates are as ready as possible. This guidance could make a big difference in how the team performs when the stakes are highest.

The details

The Sixers have a mix of experienced playoff performers like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, along with several players who have never been to the postseason, including VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow, and Adem Bona. Veteran forward Paul George said the team has started having conversations to prepare the youngsters, drawing on recent games against the Hornets and Heat that provided a taste of playoff-like atmospheres.

  • The Sixers currently hold the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot heading into the final week of the regular season.
  • Quentin Grimes recalls a playoff game in 2023 with the Knicks where he had to 'suck it up' and play through an injury to help his team win.

The players

Paul George

A veteran forward for the Philadelphia 76ers who has extensive playoff experience.

Joel Embiid

A star center for the Philadelphia 76ers who has been to the playoffs multiple times.

Tyrese Maxey

A young guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who has playoff experience.

VJ Edgecombe

A Sixers player who will be making his playoff debut.

Dominick Barlow

A Sixers player who will be making his playoff debut.

Adem Bona

A Sixers player who will be making his playoff debut.

Quentin Grimes

A Sixers player who made the playoffs once before with the New York Knicks in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, we're starting to have those conversations. It's crazy out of more than a handful of guys have never been to the playoffs or seen that type of basketball. So, we're starting to have those conversations, and they're curious of what it's going to be like.”

— Paul George, Veteran Forward, Philadelphia 76ers

“Probably the same one everyone tells you about in Miami when I got hit on a screen and my knee was hurting and killing me. Then I got the steal on Jimmy (Butler) and you gotta do whatever you can to help the team win and I really couldn't even bend my knee, play the rest of that game, but it's one of those moments that you gotta suck it up and do whatever you can to help the team win.”

— Quentin Grimes, Guard, Philadelphia 76ers

What’s next

The Sixers will look to clinch their playoff spot in the final week of the regular season, with veterans continuing to prepare the younger players for the intensity of the postseason.

The takeaway

Veteran leadership and experience can make a big difference in the playoffs, and the Sixers are wisely leveraging their seasoned players to ensure their younger core is as prepared as possible for the heightened pressure and physicality of the postseason.