Sixers to start Richaun Holmes, not ruling out playing Jahlil Okafor

SALT LAKE CITY – The 76ers will start Richaun Holmes at center Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz. There's also a possibility that Jahlil Okafor will make his second appearance of the season in the matchup at the Vivint Smart Home Arena.

"As the game unfolds, it will speak to us," Sixers coach Brett Brown said of the chance that Okafor might play. "I'm currently not going to discount it. But you go into the game with preconceived plans and scouting-report reason. Initially, that's how I'll play that group."

Holmes made his regular-season debut Friday after being sidelined with a fractured left wrist. He'll start in place of Joel Embiid, who's sitting out to rest his surgically repaired left knee.

Brown was asked why Holmes will get the start over backup Amir Johnson. Holmes was the third-string center in Friday's victory over the Indiana Pacers.

"To keep Amir sort of in his role," Brown said. "He was coming off the bench behind Joel, keep him sort of in that steady place."

The Sixers (5-4) also want to "get some bounce right off the bat" by starting Holmes. The third-year player is their best roller to the basket in pick-and-rolls. He also plays with a lot of energy and likes finishing plays with dunks.

"We talked about we want to play fast," Brown said. "Richaun does play fast. I just think for those reasons, I've decided to go with Richaun."

Holmes finished with six points on 3-for-7 shooting in the 121-110 victory over the Pacers. He also had five rebounds in 10 minutes, 11 seconds played.

Johnson had two points on 1-for-1 shooting to go with two rebounds and two blocks in 10 minutes. The 30-year-old is averaging 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds this season.

"Whatever they need me [to do], I'm ready," Johnson said. "I'm on call, basically."

Okafor had 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots in his lone appearance of the season.