(AP)

WASHINGTON – Throughout preseason, Brett Brown and Sam Hinkie and the rest of the 76ers’ brass had impressed upon fans, radio-show hosts, reporters and just about anyone who was willing to listen that their team would be dictated by what “the veterans” did.

The trio of 25-year-olds, the Sixers’ equivalent of oldheads, would have to be leaned upon if the team was to accomplish anything in what was expected to be a bumpy, 82-game ride.

Two games (and two wins in) … uhh, not so bumpy. So what gives? Well, the Sixers have gotten superb efforts from Spencer Hawes, Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young. Wednesday night was no different, as all three scored in double figures, with Hawes and Young turning in double-doubles in a come-from-behind win over the Wizards.

Here’s the statistical breakdown of the Sixers’ three veterans through two games:

Spencer Hawes: 16-for-26 overall (61.5 percent), 4-for-8 3FG (50.0 percent), 4-for-6 FT (66.6 percent), 20.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.5 apg

Evan Turner: 20-for-37 overall (54.1 percent), 0-for-6 3FG (0.0 percent), 9-for-10 FT (90.0 percent), 24.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 4.5 apg

Thaddeus Young: 19-for-35 overall (54.3 percent), 0-for-1 3FG (0.0 percent), 1-for-2 FT (50.0 percent), 19.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg

In totaling up these numbers, which are ridiculous averages that would establish personal single-season records for all three, should they maintain them, I came across one disconcerting stat that you can’t ignore:

Hawes, Turner and Young have played a combined for 200 minutes of a possible 288 minutes played through two games. That’s a lot of wear and tear on the three guys the Sixers need to perform nightly. It’ll be interesting to see how Brown uses his rotation Saturday night in the first back-to-back of the season, with Chicago in town.