Marshall shows worth against Pelicans

DALLAS – Kendall Marshall said he is still working on turning into the player he's capable of becoming.

If so, the 76ers third-string point guard took a major step forward in Friday's 121-114 setback to the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.

With backup point guard T.J. McConnell ineffective, the Sixers went to the seldom-used Marshall in the second half. He responded with nine points, three assists, one steal and zero turnovers in 10 minutes, 49 seconds of action. Marshall made all three of his shots with his first two coming on three-pointers.

"It's nice to show the coaches what you are made of," said Marshall, who missed this season's first 23 games following a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear in 2014-15 with the Milwaukee Bucks.

He had sat the bench in the Sixers' previous two games before Friday's matchup.  That game actually marked just his seventh appearance since Dec. 28. But the 24-year-old showed the coaching staff he's someone it can depend on.

"That's part of being a professional," Marshall said. "You don't whine. You don't complain, and you be ready when your number is called.

"If you are not a superstar in the league, you got to be a day-to-day guy. That's something that coach talks about.  So that's something I try to take pride in."

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter at @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers