Philadelphia 76ers
Face of the Franchise
Sixers Bell Ringer: Paul George has season-best performance vs. Bucks
Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ucks-paul-george-jabari-walker-quentin-grimes
2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 10
VJ Edgecombe – 2
Andre Drummond – 2
Dom Barlow – 1
Adem Bona – 1
Justin Edwards – 1
Quentin Grimes – 1
Jared McCain – 1
Kelly Oubre Jr – 1
Trendon Watford – 1
15th roster spot – 1
The Philadelphia 76ers looked to carry over the momentum from Thursday night’s thriller against the Warriors into Friday’s matchup in Milwaukee. It took a team effort, but they pulled off the back-to-back sweep with a 116-101 victory over the Bucks.
The Sixers were without the services of Joel Embiid (rest) for the second night of the back-to-back, but Paul George returned to the court after missing Thursday’s contest.
It was the Bucks’ first complete game without Giannis Antetokounmpo since he suffered a calf strain early in their matchup against Detroit on Wednesday.
The Sixers’ talent advantage shone in the first half, allowing them to build a 20-point lead at the break.
Heading into the half, they were shooting 56% from the field, 48% from three-point range and 92% from the line.
Not bad at all considering it was Tyrese Maxey’s worst performance of the season.
Following another third quarter in which the Sixers were outscored, it looked like we may be seeing a repeat of the Warriors’ comeback just 24 hours prior.
Thanks to resilient efforts from key veterans and inspiring bench play, the Sixers collected their 13th win of the season, something they did not achieve until Dec. 30 last season.
Let’s not think about last season; instead, let’s think about Bell Ringer.
Paul George: 20 points, 30 minutes, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
On a night where Maxey did not have it going, George stepped up as the Sixers’ sole consistent source of offense throughout the entire game.
In the first half, he let the game come to him as the bench helped ignite the offense. He only missed two of his six shot attempts as the Sixers built up the massive lead.
The third quarter was when George’s effort became crucial, as many Sixers began to feel the fatigue of the back-to-back.
The Sixers were without a field goal for the first three minutes and twenty seconds of the half, yet George’s defense helped keep the Bucks at bay. He drew a charge on a driving Kyle Kuzma, had a textbook contest on a driving Kevin Porter Jr., and then, after the Sixers finally made a bucket, intercepted a pass from Ryan Rollins and hit a three a possession later.
In the fourth, the Sixers’ fatigue increased as their lead steadily decreased. With just over six minutes remaining, holding on to a 12-point lead, George decided it was time to give the Bucks a taste of Pacers PG.
On the very next possession, he would hit another midrange over Jericho Sims.
Later in the fourth, with an 11-point lead and the Bucks beginning to press, he forced a double team as he was starting his third dance with Sims, and curled the rock to a wide-open VJ Edgecombe for a big three.
George’s defensive impact was evident in this one, but his leadership could be felt as well on Friday. The poise when things start to get hairy, and the willingness to trust the young guys in big spots, will only aid the Sixers the more he plays.
Jabari Walker: 18 points, 4-of-8 3PT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Walker was the bench MVP in the first half. In the second quarter alone, he would drain three from deep and add on four free throws, giving him a season-high 16 points in just the first half. Walker was the spark that spurred the Sixers to a 20-point lead at halftime. Not only his shooting, but his intensity on the glass and defensively helped set the tone for the squad.
He would tack on two more off a slick dime from Jared McCain in the third, bringing his season-best total to 18. Walker has already been a steal of a two-way contract, but if he continues to shoot the ball as he did on Friday, it will be tough to keep him off the court.
Quentin Grimes: 22 points, 6-of-7 3PT, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
Grimes was the bench MVP in the second half, complementing George in their attempts to thwart the Bucks’ third-quarter comeback. His three makes from deep in the third kept the game out of reach, and his scoring output overall helped hide some fatigue from the Sixers starting guards. In games against undermanned teams, performances like tonight could help relieve some minutes for Maxey and Edgecombe.
Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ucks-paul-george-jabari-walker-quentin-grimes