The Philadelphia 76ers acquired George Hill from the Oklahoma City Thunder back on March 25 and he did not make his debut until April 19 as he was continuing to recover from thumb surgery, but he has made an impact since he arrived.

As a veteran with a ton of playoff experience, he has taken a lot of the younger guys under his wing. Coach Doc Rivers loved having him out on the floor on Sunday in the team’s Game 1 win over the Washington Wizards to open the playoffs as a guy who can provide play on both ends.

“It’s great,” said Rivers. “It was something that we targeted early in the season that we needed one more veteran guard with this group because we like our young guys too and you know the only way they can become veterans is by throwing them in the fire and getting them some experience, but it sure helps.”

The Sixers have a bench unit that is mostly filled with younger players and they still have to be able to learn what the playoffs are like. They struggled a bit on defense on Sunday, but Hill calmed them down.

“Not only is he a veteran, George, and for you guys who know him, because he’s been around, he’s so relaxed and calm out on the floor,” Rivers added. “I think his voice has been great for everyone, but especially our young guys.”

On Sunday, Hill had 11 points and he knocked down a triple while also providing solid defense on Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. That is a solid performance for the Sixers to be able to move forward into the playoffs.

“He’s been great for us from day one,” said Seth Curry. “We knew who he was when we brought him in. The big thing is he just knows how to play basketball. He knows how to play with the ball in his hands, he knows how to put out the ball, and anytime you can add another guy who’s easy to play with, knows the game, and really unselfish whether he’s scoring or not, he’s bringing the same mentality, the same intensity to the game.”

These are the types of performances that the Sixers expected from Hill. They brought him in as a veteran who can give the team some help on the offensive end while also being a pest on defense out on the perimeter. He has been doing this for a long time in his career and games like Sunday’s are just who he is.

“I don’t know why they really wanted me,” Hill said with a laugh. “I’m just a man here doing my job. I love the competitive side of basketball, I love to compete, I love to win, so to come here and be a part of this organization that has so much history, this city to have so much passion for sports, it’s a blessing. I’m just here to do my job the best I can. I go out every day and try to lay it on the line, because tomorrow is never promised, but at the same time just having fun doing it.”

Game 2 with the Wizards is set for 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!