Alex Poythress makes his Sixers debut

TORONTO - The 76ers needed a power forward to take some of the load off Dario Saric. The rookie-of-the-year candidate had his minutes restricted Sunday against the Toronto Raptors because of soreness in his left heel.

Alex Poythress wanted another opportunity to show what he can do in the NBA.

Poythress flew here from Indiana on Saturday and on Sunday he signed a 10-day  contact. Then Poythress finished with 11 points, three rebounds, and one block in the Sixers' 113-105 loss Sunday night at the Air Canada Centre.

"I always thought it was a good chance," Poythress said before the game. "I just kept on grinding, you know. Now I'm happy that I got the opportunity."

The team was able to add him with the NBA's injury hardship exception. Now they have a 16th player on their roster - one above the limit - as they were permitted to do last month.

They were granted this roster exception because they have at least four players out for two weeks after missing at least three games. The Sixers will conclude their season April 12 against the Knicks in New York.

"There could be a possibility that we could receive another one," coach Brett Brown said of adding a 17th roster spot. "We are going to make a judgment more on that."

The Sixers will see if they can get the extra player because of having five players out with season-ending injuries.

Right now, Poythress is the only new addition.

He averaged 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks this season with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League. He was a D-League all-star.

Brown was impressed by Poythress' performance against the Raptors..

"I loved him," he said. "He had a bounce. He had a toughness. When you talk about those three cornerstones to the program, defense, pace and space . . . I think he ticks boxes.

"How well, we'll learn more about. But . . . he played 24 minutes, it was enough body of work for me to say, he certainly took advantage of his first time in a 76er uniform."

Poythress learned Saturday morning, during the Mad Ants shootaround, that the Sixers were calling him up. He rushed home to pack and catch a flight here. His luggage didn't arrive with him - Poythress said American Airlines lost his bag and his suit.

"It was a whirlwind," he said of his weekend. "I'm happy. I ain't complaining. I will do it all over again. I felt all types of excitement out there. I'm just happy to be out there."