Sixers look to start 2026 on winning note in Dallas

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Happy New Year, Liberty Ballers community! We hope everyone is safe and healthy and ready to have a great 2026.

Your Philadelphia 76ers will begin the year in Dallas, taking on the Mavericks, a matchup that features two of the most exciting rookies in the NBA in Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe.

The Mavericks have had a weird 2025-26, to say the least. They began the season 5-15 as Flagg, who was acting as the team’s point guard to start the campaign, got off to a rocky start. As the No. 1 overall pick started finding his groove and All-Star big man Anthony Davis got healthy, the team started to play better, but they’ve hit another slump recently.

Coming into Thursday night’s matchup, Dallas sits at 12-22, having lost six of its last eight. Flagg, who just turned 19 a couple weeks ago, has been the Mavericks’ best player, averaging 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. The only thing that’s missing from Flagg’s game is his three-ball, but he got off to a slow start from deep in his lone season at Duke as well. The 6-foot-9 forward excels in the open floor and it will be up to the Sixers’ leaky transition defense to contain him.

Dallas is relatively healthy, as Davis will make his return to the lineup after missing two games with right adductor soreness. Kyrie Irving has yet to make his season debut while recovering from left knee surgery, while both Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum suffered season-ending injuries.

The Flagg-Davis frontcourt presents a difficult challenge for any team. Though undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard gave the team a nice boost as a legitimate point guard, the two-way player has ceded minutes to fellow diminutive guard Brandon Williams over the last couple games.

Much like the Sixers, you don’t really know which Mavericks team you’re going to see on a given night. In the lone matchup this season in Philly, the Sixers struggled mightily with Dallas’ size before Jabari Walker helped provide a bit of physical presence late to help seal the win. Despite their issues, the Mavericks are 10th in the NBA in defensive rating, in large part because of their tremendous length.

The Sixers also boast a healthy injury report — as healthy as an injury report from the Sixers can be, at least. Joel Embiid is listed as probable while Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford remain out, though both have been integrated into team activities this week.

The Sixers are coming off a thrilling overtime win in Memphis Tuesday night. Edgecombe came alive late and buried the game-winning three with 1.7 seconds left to snap the Sixers’ three-game losing streak. It was the first win when having all members of the team’s Big 3 on the floor. Embiid and Tyrese Maxey carried much of the offensive load, dropping 34 points apiece.

The team’s defense has been much better recently, but they struggled to contain Ja Morant as the electric guard looked like his old self with a 40-point performance. While there is no guard like Morant on Dallas’ roster — and the Mavericks have been one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA — the size of Flagg, Davis, P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall was difficult for the Sixers to contain and keep away from the rim. We’ll see if Embiid’s presence makes a difference this time around.

The Sixers go into this one with a 17-14 record, good for sixth in the East. They’re 19th in offensive rating and 14th in defensive rating.

Game Details


When: Thursday, January 1, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-look-to-start-2026-on-winning-note-in-dallas
 
Sixers Bell Ringer: Hometown hero leads the way in Dallas

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2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 13
VJ Edgecombe – 4
Joel Embiid – 3
Andre Drummond – 2
Paul George – 2
Dominick 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 76ers played their most complementary game of the season in a 123- 108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

They finished with five players in double-figures, only 11 turnovers and shot 53% from the field.

Paul George played a key part for the Sixers in the first half and early in the third quarter with some clutch baskets and strong playmaking. It would not be enough for Bell Ringer consideration on a night with an absolutely loaded ballot.

Shall we?

For a full game recap, click here.

Tyrese Maxey: 34 points, 14-of-24 FG, 4-of-10 3PT, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks

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Maxey was in complete control of the offense throughout the entire matchup against his hometown Mavericks.

He took advantage of the opponents poor perimeter defense all night, consistently getting a first step and drive, or finding the space for a three.

Ten of his 14 makes came in the paint as he consistently applied pressure to the defense. When he wasn’t, he was setting up his teammates in the halfcourt or pushing the pace in transition.

He also got Caleb Martin on one of the better crossovers you will see all year:

Tyrese Maxey got Caleb Martin badddd pic.twitter.com/ARkhrTmH2T

— HG (@Harrison_Grimm) January 2, 2026

On the defensive end he continued to provide relief with selected pass-lane jumping or aiding the big men in the post with a couple blocks.

He consistently found the bottom of the bucket when the Sixers needed it, including a pull-up three in the third before the defense could get set.

Home cookin' pic.twitter.com/5keQ3q3c2M

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 2, 2026

If Maxey can continue to produce at this clip while everyone else around him eats too, the Sixers will be dangerous approaching the All-Star break. Perhaps we will see a triple-double from Agent Zero during that stretch.

Joel Embiid: 22 points, 9-of-18 FG, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block

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Embiid followed up his strong showing in Memphis with an even better one in Dallas. Not only did he look physically capable on both ends of the floor, he was controlling the game with his effectiveness. Starting the game 3-of-3 with two pull-ups and a layup was enough to draw doubles, and sometimes triple-teams which opened up the floor for the rest of the team.

In the moments where he was left one-on-one, he was automatic, providing some happy flashbacks to his pre-left knee injury days. He operated out of the key, post and free-throw-line like he was trying to make the statement that he is still one of the best pure scorers in the world.

Joel Embiid keeping pressure on defenses in the half court. Post up, no help or double and he goes right to work. Next time down early help is show, skip pass gets the defense in rotation and the Sixers into drive and kick. pic.twitter.com/GY18LyG3uq

— Steve Jones (@stevejones20) January 2, 2026

The best part, it all came naturally and had positive effects for everyone on the floor, including Maxey. They were playing selfless basketball out of Embiid’s double-teams, which only happens if the big man can make the right exit pass to the open man. He did it repeatedly throughout the game.

He is visibly getting more comfortable playing with the attacking style of Maxey and Edgecombe, finding himself crashing to the paint at the right moments to open up a dump-off passing option.

VJ Edgecombe: 23 points, 9-of-14 FG, 3-of-6 3PT, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, 1 block

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Edgecombe had himself another strong all-around performance in Dallas, outplaying fellow rookie Cooper Flagg.

Even though he had plenty to get himself hyped up for this matchup, Edgecombe played with poise all night. No play highlights it better than this late shot-clock free throw line contested jumper.

The Generator pic.twitter.com/6FKkQV71vb

— Drew Peltzman (@dapeltz13) January 2, 2026

The bulk of his offensive output came at the rim, finishing 6-of-8 in the paint and even dropping off a slick pass to Embiid who finished with a reverse layup. The layup, in addition to his buzzer-beating layup, helped keep the Sixers’ offense afloat while Maxey was on the bench at the end of the third.

Although his fourth quarter was quiet offensively, his stellar defense helped seal the win for the Sixers. He finished with four steals on the night, and tallied one in the final frame, but it was his sole block in the fourth quarter that acted as the dagger.

Up seven with just over two minutes left, Edgecombe soars to not just block Brandon Williams once, but twice. It would lead to a Grimes three, effectively swinging five points to the Sixers off one block.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME VJ?! pic.twitter.com/ac0WAEOlob

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 2, 2026

Quentin Grimes: 19 points, 7-of-9 FG, 5-of-7 3PT, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal

Grimes carried over the momentum from his last game in Memphis into Thursday’s bout with his former team. Who’s to say if it was revenge, but Grimes would have one of his most efficient games of the season, missing only two shots.

Grimes first flashed in this one with an eight-point second quarter off two threes and a running layup. That was just the first act.

Eleven of his 19 points came in the final frame, which was a crucial lift for the Sixers as the starters relied on him to hit shots consistently as the defense closed around them.

Another fun Sixers win! Tyrese Maxey had a game high 34 points. VJ Edgecombe with 23. Joel Embiid had 22. And the former Dallas Maverick Quentin Grimes had 19 points off the bench. The Sixers have won two straight games. They are jelling together
pic.twitter.com/dcvsL4ZI3c

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 2, 2026

His rebounding effort and defense should be applauded in this one. He caught Anthony Davis in the paint for a block, which helped fend off any comeback attempt from Dallas in the fourth.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...maxey-joel-embiid-vj-edgecombe-quentin-grimes
 
The Sixers are playing well — just soak it in

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Sixers fandom has undergone a decade-long metamorphosis.

The Process brought about losing, but with a ray of hope. The Colangelo Era was bizarre and filled with screwups, but the team won a little bit. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons turning into All-Stars made fans downright cocky. Jimmy Butler’s tenure felt like a fever dream. Most of Tobias Harris’ felt like a nightmare. The injuries, the holdouts, the postseason disappointments — many of you likely needed some form of therapy.

In many ways, last season almost felt like the end of an era. After the team splurged on Paul George in free agency, the nine-time All-Star turned in an injury-riddled and ineffective season. Embiid played 19 games and never resembled his MVP form. It felt like a window was closing.

Other than drafting VJ Edgecombe, this offseason didn’t instill much promise. The Sixers were essentially stuck with most of the roster that went 24-58 in 2024-25. Plus, Embiid and George both underwent knee procedures. Understandably, fans weren’t planning to march down Broad St. in June.

But a funny thing is happening. The Sixers are playing well … and are fun to watch? Those concepts have almost been at odds with each other over the last half-decade.

The franchise had as great a chance as they’ve had to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals while James Harden was here in 2023, but was the season “fun”? It felt like the highs and lows of Harden — which, to be fair, some of those highs were very high — the discourse around Embiid’s MVP and the big fella’s injuries sort of sapped the joy out of everything. When the team choked away Game 6 at home and no-showed in Game 7, it felt much more like an inevitability than heartbreak.

Expectation-free was the correct way to go into the season. Expectation-free is probably still the move, but that doesn’t mean you can’t savor this moment. With social media, we all feel this need to quantify everything immediately.

Can the Sixers be a contender in the East?

Are Joel Embiid and Paul George back?

Is Tyrese Maxey an MVP candidate?

Is VJ Edgecombe the next Dwyane Wade?


Let’s all breathe.

The Sixers are 18-14, good for fifth in the East. Embiid and George both look better than they did at any point last season. Maxey has played like a superstar from opening night on. Edgecombe looks every bit like a future star in this league. These are unquestionably positive things. You can be excited about all of them.

But you don’t have to treat a road win in Dallas on Jan. 1 as a referendum on what this team is and can be. Do they have enough talent to compete in the East? Of course. Talent has never been the real issue. The issue is the health and availability of Embiid and George, and the sustainability of what Maxey and Edgecombe are doing.

It’s all about consistency. With the two veteran stars in the lineup regularly, they’ve clearly played better and have established chemistry with their teammates. They both played so little last season and to start this season, it was always going to take time. You can see they’re both processing things way faster and making quicker decisions. It’s not a coincidence.

It doesn’t even feel hyperbolic to say Maxey and Edgecombe have a chance to be the greatest backcourt in the franchise’s history. That said, Edgecombe is a rookie and he can’t legally buy alcohol. He’s taken bumps and bruises along the way. That will likely continue to happen — though he’s already exceeded expectations with his shooting and finishing at the rim.

The only thing that feels truly sustainable is Maxey’s play. He’s just that damn good. He’s turned into a superstar before our eyes … after some folks wondered what the team could get for him in a trade this past offseason (Yeah, going to keep bringing that one up because it sounds more ridiculous with each passing game). He’s well on his way to being an All-Star starter and getting an All-NBA nod.

But this is all so fragile — Embiid and George’s health, the rest of the roster remaining healthy, Edgecombe doing this as a rookie, two-way guys playing effective minutes — it’s fruitless to put expectations on it right now.

At this moment, the Sixers are playing a good and entertaining brand of basketball. Give yourself permission to enjoy it without having to quantify it. Think back to this offseason and how you felt coming into this season — this has surely already been better than what you anticipated.

There is hope. Though an unfamiliar concept to Sixers fans, it is something one can feel towards their favorite basketball team from time to time.

It’s a good place when all you have is hope and not expectations.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...gecombe-joel-embiid-paul-george-nba-standings
 
Sixers travel to New York striving to stay undefeated in 2026

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Happy New Year! I hope 2026 has started as well for you as it did for the Philadelphia 76ers, who had one of their finer performances of the season in taking down the Dallas Mavericks, 123-108, on New Year’s Day. Now, the Sixers will head back up to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks, where they just won a couple weeks ago, 116-107, behind a combined 53 points from the starting backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

Tonight, they should have reinforcements in the frontcourt, as Joel Embiid is listed as probable for what would be his first game playing at the Garden since the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The big man would be taking the court for his third game in five days, which is a signficant step forward from the sort of knee injury management we were seeing earlier in the season. In the previous two wins, he played a season-high 38 minutes in coming two assists shy of a triple-double against Memphis, and tallied an efficient 22 points and six assists across 35 minutes against the Mavericks. I’m not saying we’re anywhere close to out of the woods in terms of Embiid’s health, but it sure has been nice to see him in the role of “functional basketball player” again, rather than “roster liability”.

Still, the Sixers franchise is now firmly in the hands of their young guards. After a mini-slump towards the end of December, Maxey has put up consecutive 34-point games with double-digit assists. He was rightfully fourth overall across the entire league in All-Star fan voting at the last release. That’s a fair measure of the type of player the Sixers now have and the type of season Tyrese is putting together. Meanwhile rookie VJ Edgecombe is performing like the clutchest player in the NBA and doing incredible things like blocking the same shot twice in mid-air. He has understandably had some rookie bumps along the way, but both the floor and ceiling are incredibly high for the young man.

Philadelphia has a relatively clean injury report for tonight, with Embiid having the probable listing and just Kelly Oubre Jr and Trendon Watford remaining out. They’ll be catching the Knicks on the tail end of a back-to-back, after New York lost, 111-99, to Atlanta yesterday. Karl-Anthony Towns (illness), Mitchell Robinson (ankle injury management), and Josh Hart (ankle) all missed that contest, in addition to Landry Shamet remaining out with his shoulder injury. Hart has now missed four straight games so it’s unclear how close he was to suiting up, but I’d expect Towns and Robinson back out there tonight.

We should be in for a fun watch this evening. Edgecombe did a terrific job on Jalen Brunson in the last meeting, as Brunson shot just 7-of-22 from the field (don’t worry, Knicks fans, you’ll get to chalk it up to a back-to-back for the second straight time if it happens again). I imagine Jalen will have some adjustments to how VJ defended him last time, though. Wins against Memphis and Dallas are exciting and fun, but nothing beats seeing the Sixers take down the Knicks in front of the New York crowd. We’ll see if the Sixers are able to pull it off for the second time in as many weeks.

Game Details


When: Saturday, January 3, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBA TV
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...york-knicks-striving-stay-undefeated-nba-2026
 
Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers backcourt stars again in road win over Knicks

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2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 14
VJ Edgecombe – 4
Joel Embiid – 3
Andre Drummond – 2
Paul George – 2
Dominick 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



As far as this road trip is concerned for Philadelphia, it’s the exact reverse of the meme of the horse drawing that started like a photo-realistic drawing and ended as a child’s chicken scratch.

After blowing the game in the fourth quarter in Chicago, and (understandably) getting crushed by a pissed-off Oklahoma City Thunder squad, Philadelphia has now won three straight games in advance of returning home for a Monday night contest against the Nuggets. Saturday night was one of their best performances of the season, opening up a lead in the second quarter, not falling into their usual third quarter collapse, and then putting their feet down in crunch time to seal a comfortable victory. With a 130-119 win, the Sixers have now won both games in New York this season, and it’s time for the league to take a real hard glimpse at everything Philadelphia has when all its pieces are available. Before doing that, though, let’s hit up Bell Ringer.

For a full game recap, click here.

Tyrese Maxey: 36 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers

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The First-Team All-NBA case continues to build for Tyrese, who has now substantially outplayed a consecutive Second-Team member in Brunson twice in a couple weeks. Maxey definitely received more open looks than normal, with a fairly healthy supporting cast playing well and making life easier for him. But he still has to knock down those six threes (on nine attempts) and few players in the league are able to convert the shot variety, distance and volume that Tyrese now does on a regular basis. He also made his fair share of difficult ones (a midrange stepback in the fourth quarter was particularly nasty), and Brunson was often just left in the dust.

Meanwhile, Maxey himself was an impactful defender, making a handful of splash plays, including one that led to an easy transition bucket. Maxey can basically get and make any shot he wants at this point, and he has improved to the point of being a positive player on what was once his weaker side of the ball. He just dropped 36 points on the road and it felt like just another day at the office. The young man is putting together a truly special season and if the Sixers keep piling up their fair share of wins, lofty accolades will follow.

Tyrese Takeover ™️ pic.twitter.com/SmBHgoe8n4

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 4, 2026

VJ Edgecombe: 26 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers

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Safe to say the bright lights in the Big Apple are not too much for the rookie. Edgecombe has now been outstanding in both wins in Manhattan, with two-way play and crunch-time chops that you’d be thrilled to get from a guy in his prime, let alone a 20-year-old with fewer than 30 NBA games under his belt. Don’t let the fact that Jalen Brunson had 31 points fool you; a lot of those points came against other Sixers defenders, as VJ did an excellent job against the Knicks’ star guard once again. Only having two personal fouls while logging substantial time against a master grifter like Brunson is an incredible feat in itself.

He chopped up New York on the other end as well, especially in the first half where he shot 7-of-10 from the field for 18 points. Then, Edgecombe once again proved that he has ice water in his veins in the game’s final minutes. He blocked a Mikal Bridges’ three in the corner, stole an inbounds pass at one point, and made a crazy play where he faked a pass in the lane before rising up for the dunk. Dude is a straight winner.

kid is SPECIAL ‼️ pic.twitter.com/krBYULtQaO

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 4, 2026

Joel Embiid: 26 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers

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Embiid helped silence the opposing boo birds at the Garden with an efficient night that saw him go 9-of-15 from the field and 8-of-12 from the free throw line. He baited Mitchell Robinson a few times, keeping the Knicks starting center on the bench with foul trouble for much of the first half; Robinson finished with just 19 minutes played. Joel didn’t need to take over this game by any means, and didn’t force anything, playing within the flow of the offense, setting screens to free up teammates and hitting open cutters with nicely-placed passes. He even had his first dunk of the season to cap off his night.

Joel Embiid's first dunk of the 2025-26 season! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/VGh0F35FOh

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 4, 2026

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ourt-stars-again-road-win-new-york-knicks-nba
 
Here come the Sixers — team caps off road trip with third straight win vs. Knicks

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Is anyone having a happier New Year than this offense?

The Sixers won their third in a row and beat the New York Knicks for the second time in a row, knocking them off 130-119 Saturday.

The backcourt dazzled in MSG again. Tyrese Maxey lead all scorers with 36 points, shooting 14-of-22 from the field. VJ Edgecombe went for 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

Joel Embiid continued his streak of 20+ point performances, finishing with 26 as well, going 9-of-15 from the floor and 10 rebounds while Paul George had 15. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31.

The Sixers were only without Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford while New York was missing Josh Hart and Landry Shamet.

The Sixers improve to 19-14 and will head home to host the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter​

  • It felt like there was plenty of extra juice in the building to start with Embiid getting booed every time he touched the ball and plenty of 1-on-1 hunting. Embiid got turned over once but made his first three attempts of the game, including backing down Mitchell Robinson from the block for an and-1.
Joel Embiid gets the Sixers' night started with the midrange jumper as the crowd at MSG gives him a… warm welcome. pic.twitter.com/WPIqDr9yzs

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 4, 2026
  • Edgecombe also started the night 3-of-4 attacking the basket a couple times, doing somewhat of a self-pass off the backboard. However brief it was the Sixers actually opened the game winning the second-chance battle with a pair of putback dunks.
  • On the other end, Brunson already had the Sixers’ defense in knots, putting up 12 in the first while getting to the line seven times. The second unit didn’t initially keep pace, but a flurry of baskets at the rim capped off by Maxey put them up by one at the end of the quarter.

Second Quarter​

  • The Sixers were the first team to get any sort of separation thanks in large part to Edgecombe, who opened up the second with a pair of pull-up threes. The contested layup he made in traffic was equally impressive and it was amidst a 9-0 run. Jared McCain finally got one to go down, hitting one well beyond the line to prompt a New York timeout.
VJ with his third trey of the night already! pic.twitter.com/U5z5850BfD

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 4, 2026
  • Team-wide the Sixers did a good job of being pesky on the perimeter with three steals in the quarter, all of which turned into baskets. Edgecombe continued to be on fire from downtown, and the offense really kicked into another gear when Maxey and Embiid returned to the game and the two played off each other.
  • Because of that they looked to be cruising into the half up double digits, but a couple sloppy plays cost them that. A turnover leading to Brunson free throws followed by OG Anunoby shaking free for a three had them settling for an eight-point lead at the break.

Third Quarter​

  • The second half opened with the same type of cohesion and ball-movement the Sixers excelled with against Dallas. They kept clearing out one for Embiid and Maxey not just allowing them to cook, but setting up threes swung to George and open cutting lanes for Dominick Barlow.
  • None of that took Maxey out of the rhythm he had, though to be fair, halftime hadn’t either. He called his own number a bit more as his shots continued to fall, hitting everything once he found an ounce of space to go for 11 in the quarter.
Tyrese Maxey is 5-for-7 on 3PTs so far tonight!!! pic.twitter.com/t5nC35Ps0S

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 4, 2026
  • Another weak close to a quarter cost them a bigger lead, but the Sixers did have more of a cushion this time. This one started with a potential and-1 but it was Robinson fouled on a layup, and he didn’t convert the free throw. Maxey turned it over and McCain took a very ill-advised up-and-under layup attempt. The Knicks trimmed a lead that was as big as 19 down to 12.

Fourth Quarter​

  • After being held in check for much of the first three quarters, Karl-Anthony Towns was finally able to do something against the Sixers’ bigs. He didn’t get a ton of space but worked his way to a quicks six points to start the fourth. Edgecombe continued to be everywhere for Philly, blocking a Mikal Bridges three and hustling back to be rewarded for the transition dunk, a five-point swing that caused another timeout.
VJ EDGECOMBE DOES IT ALL! pic.twitter.com/as7V7y0RYW

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 4, 2026
  • Aside from that flurry, the Sixers did a great job with the front court matchup. Not only was Embiid moving great to score inside, but Robinson was also in foul trouble all night. He picked up his fifth with much of the quarter to go.
  • They weren’t nearly as efficient as the Sixers, but the Knicks shot the three-ball very well on the night (the Sixers steal-hunting approach can lead to a lot of open looks). That helped them never be totally out of this game, and when Embiid got his layup blocked and Maxey followed with a turnover out of a timeout, it allowed New York to cut it a single-digit game.
  • The Sixers only flaw offensively was that they oddly missed a lot of free throws and Maxey split a pair to make it an eight-point lead. A Brunson missed floater gave them their first stop in minutes, and PG made his second big play of crunch time, securing an offensive rebound to lead to an easy Quentin Grimes putback. Not only did Edgecombe steal the ensuing inbound, but hit a big euro coming out of the timeout to put the game away.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...se-maxey-vj-edgecombe-joel-embiid-paul-george
 
OH MAN the Sixers are actually looking like a REAL BASKETBALL TEAM right now and I gotta say it feels weird but also AMAZING???

Look I'm a Bills/Sabres guy so I know what it's like to watch your team underperform for years and then suddenly show signs of life. Three straight wins including TWO over the Knicks at MSG? That's the good stuff right there.

Maxey is absolutely COOKING. 36 points shooting 14-of-22 against the Knicks? The dude is making a legit First-Team All-NBA case and I don't wanna hear otherwise. He's outplayed Brunson TWICE in two weeks. That's not a fluke, that's just being the better player.

And this Edgecombe kid... holy crap. Blocking the same shot TWICE in mid-air against Dallas? The fake pass to dunk move at MSG? Dude is 20 years old and playing like he's been in the league for a decade. The Sixers might have actually hit on this draft pick big time.

Here's what I love about what I'm reading here - the article is RIGHT about just soaking this in. Don't overthink it. Don't start planning the parade route. Just enjoy watching good basketball for once. Embiid actually looking mobile and playing three games in five days? Paul George contributing? The role players stepping up?

19-14 and fifth in the East. Not bad for a team everyone wrote off before the season started. Now they got Denver coming to town Monday. Let's see if they can keep this rolling.

Trust the Process or whatever you Philly people say 😤
 
Edgecombe, Maxey, Embiid: Watch the best performances from Sixers’ win over Knicks

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The Philadelphia 76ers swung momentum back in their favor to end their five-game road trip, winning their third straight game on Saturday after losing the first two contests of the trip.

The most recent saw the Sixers take down the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden 130-119 on Saturday evening on the backs of impressive performances from a number of players on the squad. Here, we’re going to look at those of rookie VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

If you’re looking for a full game recap, you can check out ours here. For Bell Ringer, head here.

Here, let’s watch some of the best performances of the night from the Sixers.

VJ Edgecombe

What an INCREDIBLE two-way performance from rookie VJ Edgecombe for Sixers-Knicks at MSG.

26 PTS (10-16 FG, 4-9 3PT), 2 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Keeps just making the right plays offensively and playing fantastic defense, especially on Brunson tonight

Here's the highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IOPan7ci8i

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) January 4, 2026

I think we have all run out of clever ways to say “wow, this kid is good at basketball.”

VJ Edgecombe had Jalen Brunson and the Knicks in hell most of this game on both ends of the floor. New York had no answer to his silky-smooth triples (of which he had four) nor his aggressive, efficient drives right to the rim. It didn’t matter who was in front of him, the rookie muscled through the likes of Karl Anthony-Towns on his way to finishing buckets, even through contact. He also continues to show off some impressive defense on experienced NBA stars, with him doing a damn fine job in his stints slowing down Brunson on Saturday. That’s no small task for a 20-year-old in his first season as a pro. None of it is a small task, but it doesn’t seem to be intimidating Edgecombe in the least.

Wow, this kid is good at basketball.

Tyrese Maxey

Sixers' Tyrese Maxey put on a bit of a show tonight against the Knicks at MSG.

Led the floor with 36 points on 10-16 (63.6%) FG and 6-9 (66.7%) 3PT shooting, with 8 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK. Continues to look like he's stepped up defensively this season.

Highlights here!⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6mSFrIXxly

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) January 4, 2026

Tyrese Maxey somehow just keeps looking better and better. With more consistent help around him spacing the floor as of late, Maxey has really been given more opportunities to thrive. Whether it’s working the two-man game with Joel Embiid, driving straight through opposing defenses to finish at the rim (often through contact) or hitting triples from any range or angle, Maxey has continued to look like a top NBA star offensively. He was incredibly efficient shooting on Saturday, hitting 10-for-16 field goal attempts and 6-for-9 on threes.

Not only that, though, but his defense has improved immensely over the last season or so, with Maxey now putting up big blocks or reading plays as they develop to intercept passes for quick transition buckets.

The most amazing thing is that a game like this for Maxey, even against the Knicks at MSG, feels like just another day watching him. What a player.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid looking as physically comfortable as we've seen him in quite some time in his 3rd game in 5 nights — efficient shooting, some great passes, big screens, drawing fouls, moving well, etc.

26 PTS (9-15 FG), 10 REB (2 OFF), 5 AST vs Knicks

Highlights below! 🔥⬇️ pic.twitter.com/x3dm5c6YVB

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) January 4, 2026

It’s nice to see Joel Embiid moving so comfortably, especially considering this was his third game in five nights. Much to the chagrin of the MSG crowd that seemed to loudly boo every time Embiid touched the ball in the beginning, the big fella had himself a great night. He looked quick and fluid moving on and off the ball, was able to physically battle for buckets and boards in the paint, set up some huge screens for his teammates and had a few stellar passes. It was an extremely efficient night for Embiid as well, shooting 9-for-15 from the floor and 8-for-12 from the line. Speaking of the foul line, Embiid also had some great success early baiting Mitchell Robinson into fouls, sending him to the bench for a lot of the first half in foul trouble.

And, he had his first dunk of the season at the end of the game just to add a cherry on top.

This is the best version of Embiid a Sixers fan can ask for at this point. He didn’t need to completely put the game on his back. He didn’t force things and do too much to the point of inefficiency or even hurting himself. It seems like Embiid is truly finding the ways to work with the situation he is in health-wise, and is contributing a hell of a lot doing so.

Who impressed you the most in the Sixers’ win over the Knicks? Let us know in the comments!

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-vj-edgecombe-joel-embiid-tyrese-maxey-knicks
 
Sixers return home red-hot and healthy to host Jokic-less Nuggets

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After a shaky start, the Sixers closed their five-game road trip in impressive fashion, winning three in a row and improving to 19-14 on the young season. Don’t look now, but the Sixers sit in fifth in the East. After their win in New York Saturday, they’re only two games back in the loss column of the second-seeded Knicks.

On Monday, they return home and welcome the Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets to town.

The secret to the Sixers’ success is pretty simple — they’re healthy. Joel Embiid and Paul George have been consistently taking the court. Embiid, who’s listed as probable, has been really effective over his last seven games, averaging 28.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 blocks in 33.0 minutes per game. Though George hasn’t played to that level, he’s finding his role on both ends of the floor and making a real impact while shooting 41.9% from deep over his last 11 games.

While those two have been rounding into form, the electric young duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe continues to play like one of the best backcourt in the NBA.

Maxey has recently gotten a boost from his two-man game with Embiid to play an even more efficient brand of basketball. He’s averaging 33.0 points and 7.8 assists, shooting a preposterous 60.0% from the field and 48.5% from three over the last seven games. He’s also continued to be impactful on the defensive end, averaging 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks during that stretch.

What else can you say about Edgecombe? He’s doing things a 20-year-old rookie surrounded by All-Stars shouldn’t be doing. Of all the standout traits we’ve seen from Edgecombe, his fearlessness has proven to be his most impressive. He buried the game-winner in Memphis, had one of the most incredible blocks you’ll ever see in a big spot in Dallas, and turned in another outstanding performance under the bright lights of MSG. It’s fair to wonder if the Sixers actually have a Big 4 — that’s how impactful Edgecombe has been.

The defensive end of the floor is where the Sixers have buttered their bread of late. They’re fourth in the NBA in defensive rating over their last 15 games. The offense is showing serious signs of life, boasting a 124.1 offensive rating over the last three games. The situation is delicate, but the Sixers are playing great basketball right now.

While Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford remain out, it seems both guys are close to returning.

The Nuggets are hanging tough in the gauntlet that is the West, sitting at 23-12 and fourth in the conference. But the injury bug has crushed them of late. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic recently suffered a knee hyperextension. Though he appears to have avoided any serious injury, he will be out for a while. Suffice to say, Denver is going to struggle to fill in the gaps while a player as important Jokic is sidelined.

While Jamal Murray has managed to stay healthy, the rest of the Nuggets’ starters have been dealing with various injuries. Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun returned to the lineup, but they’ve been limited this season to 14 and 12 games, respectively. Newcomer Cameron Johnson has also missed timed.

Denver is coming off a loss to the Brooklyn Nets Sunday night. While we won’t see their injury report until later this afternoon, it will likely be a challenge for the Nuggets in South Philly on Monday. The first game back after a long road trip is often difficult for the home team, so it’ll be important for the Sixers to get off to a fast start and try to take a weary Denver team out of things early.

It would also be nice for the beat writers in attendance who have to be there for such a late start!

Game Details


When: Monday, January 5, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: Peacock
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-embiid-tyrese-maxey-paul-george-vj-edgecombe
 
Blue Coats check-in: MarJon Beauchamp shines, Johni Broome progress, and more trades

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The G League season is in full swing. At our last Blue Coats check-in, we were taking early stock as players like Emoni Bates, Kennedy Chandler, MarJon Beauchamp and others made immediate noise. Now, just under a month later, the picture looks very different. Rotations have shifted, personnel has changed, and new storylines have emerged. There is no shortage of talking points, so let’s dive in.

MarJon Beauchamp continues to impress​


In the last Blue Coat Check-In, I noted that Hunter Sallis was at risk of losing his two-way contract spot with the Sixers and identified MarJon Beauchamp as a potential replacement. The Sixers made it official a few weeks ago, waiving Sallis and promoting Beauchamp to the third two-way contract. While we have yet to see Beauchamp suit up for the Sixers, he has been logging heavy minutes in the G League.

Beauchamp has appeared in 12 G League games so far this season, averaging 36.3 minutes per game along with 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.9 turnovers. He’s shooting 48.3 percent from the field and an impressive 40.8 percent from three.

34 PTS 🔥 7 REB 🔥 8 3PM 🔥 13/24 FG

MarJon Beauchamp CAN’T be stopped! The @sixers Two-Way signee scored a season-high and hit a career-high in 3PM to lead the @blue_coats to an 18-point comeback win. pic.twitter.com/b5NmU0qGuh

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 31, 2025

The biggest question with Beauchamp has always been his shot, or lack thereof. Not only has he been knocking down shots in the G League, but he has been actively hunting them. His 8.6 three-point attempts per game rank towards the top of the league, and he is converting at a strong rate despite the high volume. Many of these are not simple catch-and-shoot looks either, as a significant portion come off the dribble or on the move.

While his jumper will likely always be the primary talking point, it is worth noting how the Blue Coats have used Beauchamp, which is often a strong indicator of how a player can translate to the NBA level. They have given him the freedom not only to handle the ball but to create consistently. He is averaging four assists during this stretch and is coming off an eight-assist performance in his most recent game. Beauchamp will never be a true point guard, per se, but his ability to make sound reads and generate quality looks for teammates could open the door to playing time.

If his shot is falling, Beauchamp has the physical tools and skill set to become a true Swiss Army knife. He is a strong rebounder for his size, has shown he can create and score, and is known as a tenacious defender.

It is not difficult to see why the Sixers signed him. He fits the stereotypical mold of players head coach Nick Nurse tends to favor, and there was growing buzz that he should be rostered just days before the move became official. It remains to be seen when Philadelphia will turn to him, and Kelly Oubre Jr.’s return certainly complicates that path. Still, Beauchamp’s production is becoming too hard to ignore. It feels more like a question of when, not if, the Sixers give him an opportunity.

Johni Broome’s rookie season in the G​


The Sixers’ frontcourt is starting to look deep, which is a big reason we haven’t seen much Johni Broome in the NBA for his rookie season. So, how has the Sixers’ second -round pick been performing down in the G?

Broome has appeared in 15 G League games so far, averaging 33.1 minutes per game. He is posting 20.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks per contest while committing just two turnovers per game. During that stretch, he is shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 23.3 percent from three, and 64 percent from the free-throw line.

As expected, the rookie’s season has featured its share of ups and downs. There have been some notable highs, particularly in December. On the 21st against the Texas Legends, Broome erupted for 32 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a win. He followed that performance on the 31st by scoring 32 again, adding eight rebounds and three blocks against the Iowa Wolves. However, his perimeter shooting has begun to trend sharply downward. Over his last six games, Broome is just 4-for-20 from three-point range.

Broome may be one of the more difficult players to evaluate, a theme that dates back to the draft. On one hand, he has a tremendous feel for the game. He finishes well around the rim, shows terrific touch, and possesses solid vision for an NBA big. On the other, his perimeter shot is inconsistent, a flaw that has been on full display over the past month. Defensively, he can look slow-footed at times, even by G League standards. Still, his high basketball IQ and wingspan help compensate for many of his physical limitations.

Broome’s game may not be aesthetically pleasing, but that is not why the Sixers drafted him. They selected him because he is a proven winner and a consistent producer. So far, he has delivered strong numbers for a rookie big man. While Philadelphia is unlikely to turn to him this season, the coming weeks and months will be important for Broome’s continued development in the G League. Look for him to re-find that perimeter shot, and produce some gaudy lines.

Justin Edwards on assignment​


The Sixers sent Justin Edwards down for his second G League assignment of the season just a few days ago. The former undrafted prospect suited up for the Blue Coats and delivered a strong all-around performance, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and just one turnover in a win over the Birmingham Squadron. He shot 8-of-17 from the field and 3-of-10 from three-point range.

Unlike Broome, we have seen a meaningful sample of Edwards at the NBA level this season, and the results have been mixed. At times, it feels like Edwards is either swinging games in the Sixers’ favor or hurting them significantly. He has been a major variance player, and at the NBA level he would likely benefit from a more stable, low-variance role. Tough shooting nights are inevitable, especially given his limited opportunities, but too often those nights have dictated his overall impact.

In the grand scheme, one G League game does not mean much on its own. That said, Edwards performed well during this brief stint. He did not light up the box score the way he did during his first assignment, but he defended with intensity, moved the ball well, and contributed across multiple areas. Edwards is a capable player with a legitimate NBA wing frame and skill set, and this type of well-rounded production is something worth seeing more of when he is called upon at the NBA level. For now, it stands as a solid developmental rep.

A Charles Bassey update​


A Sixer blogpost mentioning Charles Bassey in 2026? You bet.

The Blue Coats shocked the G League world a few weeks ago by trading away Emoni Bates and receiving Bassey in return. Bassey is a former draft pick of Daryl Morey and the Sixers, best remembered for one of the more notable contract disputes involving a late second-round pick in recent memory. The peak of his Sixers tenure came in a memorable performance against the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic. Bassey was waived at the beginning of the following season during final roster cuts and has since bounced around the NBA.

When the Blue Coats initially reacquired him, it was unclear whether Bassey would actually report to Delaware once again. That question was answered shortly thereafter, as the Blue Coats moved him on Dec. 27 in a major deal by G League standards. Delaware sent Charles Bassey and a second-round pick in the 2026 G League Draft to the Santa Cruz Warriors in exchange for the returning player rights to forward Jackson Rowe, a first-round pick in the 2026 G League Draft, and a 2027 first-round pick.

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact rationale behind the move. It is possible the Blue Coats were doing Bates a favor by sending him to a situation where an NBA opportunity felt more attainable. They also may have had genuine interest in adding Bassey, though that interest may not have been mutual given the complicated history between Bassey, his representation, and the Sixers’ organizational umbrella. Another plausible explanation is that Delaware acquired Bassey simply to flip him, which is far from unprecedented. Around the league, Bassey is widely viewed as one of the best, if not the best, available free-agent bigs.

Since the trade, Bassey has already suited up for the Santa Cruz Warriors. Considering how much Santa Cruz gave up, it is fair to assume there is at least some level of interest from Golden State’s NBA side. The Warriors may be the most center-needy team in the league at the moment, currently piecing together minutes at the position with a disgruntled Draymond Green, an aging Al Horford, and Quentin Post. With 10-day contracts looming as a variable, it would not be surprising if Bassey earns a legitimate look out West.

For those curious, it is unlikely Jackson Rowe will ever suit up for the Blue Coats, nor does it appear this move was made with him as the primary target. Rowe is a 28-year-old forward currently playing for Ironi Ness Ziona, an Israeli basketball club. Outside of a two-way stint with the Golden State Warriors that resulted in just 52 total NBA minutes, he has yet to see meaningful action at the NBA level.

For those who want to see them in action, Beauchamp, Broome and the rest of the Delaware Blue Coats will take the floor on Jan. 8 against the Windy City Bulls. The game will be streamed on the NBA G League website as well as on CHSN+.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...hamp-shines-johni-broome-progress-more-trades
 
Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., Trendon Watford all questionable as the Sixers host the Wizards

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They can’t all get healthy at the same time without there being some doubt.

Fresh off their worst loss of the season the Sixers look to bounce back hosting the Washington Wizards, and they’ve released an injury report for that contest. Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Trendon Watford are all listed as questionable for it.

Starting with Embiid, the reasons listed are the classic left knee injury management and also a right ankle sprain. That ankle sprain has popped up on the injury report, but he’s only missed one game for it so far and while that game wasn’t a back-to-back, it was still a day game in OKC with less than 48 hours rest. Embiid hadn’t played with less than two games of rest in between until mid-December. Through their more recent stretch of games he’s played four games over seven days.

The bigger story though might be the returns of both Oubre and Watford. Oubre has been out since November 14 when he sprained his LCL in his left knee in a loss to the Detroit Pistons. Watford strained his adductor back on Nov 25 loss against the Orlando Magic. Funnily enough, both of those games were NBA Cup games, so that tournament really hasn’t been kind to the Sixers in its three years of existence.

It’s been quite stop and start for Watford’s early days as a Sixer. He missed almost all of training camp and the preseason, as well as the first three games with a hamstring injury before going down 14 games later.

Oubre got off to a torrid start before being sidelined for nearly two months, averaging 16.8 points per game shooting 49% from the field. It will be interesting to see if he assumes his place in the starting lineup when he returns, or if he is slotted into a bench scoring role given the emergence of Dominick Barlow as a glue guy in Oubre’s absence.

All questions about the starting lineup would of course be put on pause if Embiid can’t go against the Wizards. The Sixers should have more than enough to get a win without him, but as they just showed against the hospital Nuggets, anything is possible in the NBA.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...lly-oubre-jr-trendon-watford-all-questionable
 
Kelly Oubre Jr.’s imminent return should stabilize the rotation

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There are probably two distinct mindsets to interpreting the 2025-26 Philadelphia 76ers as we near the halfway point.

On one hand, some fans are probably checked out. The last 10 years have been a whirlwind of emotions for Sixers fans and last season’s disaster was probably enough for many to scale back their investment, both from a time and money standpoint. At 19-15, with a slew of absences from Joel Embiid and Paul George (as expected), there certainly has not been enough from the Sixers for this sect of the fanbase to reengage on a more serious level.

On the other hand, there have been some reasons for optimism as well and Philadelphia looks set in the backcourt for many years to come with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. The glass-half-full fan probably looks at this as the beginning of a transition away from Embiid and George and towards the team’s young guards and sees a new era being ushered in.

The return of Kelly Oubre – which appears imminent at this point with him being listed as questionable Wednesday – should appease both of these types of fans. The disgruntled fan that is done getting excited about the Sixers largely thanks to Embiid and George’s lack of consistent performance and availability watched Oubre be a calming presence in Philadelphia’s rotation in the previous two seasons. In Oubre’s first season in Philadelphia, he appeared in 68 games, starting 52 of them, and he started all six games of Philly’s first-round playoff series defeat against New York.

In 2024-25, a season in which seemingly every Sixer was snakebit by injuries, the veteran wing appeared in 60 games, making 57 starts. Only Ricky Council IV and Guerschon Yabusele played more games for the Sixers last season and both of those players are no longer with the organization. So, if you’re a fan that is fed up with the rotating door of starting lineups for the Sixers thanks to injuries, know that Oubre has mostly been a constant in his time as a Sixer. If Oubre can avoid further injury in 2025-26, there’s a chance he again plays 55-60 games for Philly in his age 30 season.

If you’re more of an optimist when it comes to this year’s Sixers and think there’s a chance for them to really do some damage this season, you’ll view Oubre’s return as deepening a rotation that needs more bodies. It goes without saying that Maxey and Edgecombe need to be great on just about a nightly basis for Philly to have a chance to win games. But a big reason why the Sixers aren’t better than their mediocre 19-15 record thus far is the two lead guards just haven’t had enough consistent help.

Jared McCain has not returned to his 2024-25 form just yet and I’m sure some fans are getting a bit impatient with the second-year guard, for better or worse. Quentin Grimes has had a bit of a topsy-turvy season to date and can be a bit difficult to get a read on each night. There really hasn’t been anyone in the front court that Nick Nurse can rely on for offense on nights Embiid does not play and that often leaves Philadelphia trying to grind out lower-scoring wins rooted in its defense.

Oubre has mostly played on bad teams in his 11-year NBA career. But he’s been a 60-80 games a season guy practically every year. For his career, he’s a 32.5% three-point shooter, a 75.2% free-throw shooter and averages 13.3 points per game. It’s nothing fancy and it certainly won’t get Oubre in contention for any individual honors, but he shows up most nights and gives the team something.

Having another player who you can mostly know what to expect from in the rotation is exactly what the Sixers need as they trudge along through the dog days of the winter these next two months. Yes, if they’re going to be a serious title contender when winter gives way to spring, they’re probably going to need a stroke of luck when it comes to the availability and performances of Embiid and George. But they have to get to the meaningful spring games first in order for that stroke of luck to even be a factor. Kelly Oubre’s return will help them do that.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...imminent-return-should-stabilize-the-rotation
 
Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers stars leave no doubt vs. Washington

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2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 15
VJ Edgecombe – 5
Joel Embiid – 3
Andre Drummond – 2
Paul George – 2
Dominick 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 76ers took care of business on Wednesday against the last pre-Trae Young iteration of the Washington Wizards by a score of 131- 110.

Just 10 minutes after the final buzzer, the Wizards agreed on a trade sending CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Trae Young.

BREAKING: The Atlanta Hawks are trading four-time NBA All-Star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/WIf8rhrRFu

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2026

It was the elephant in the room the entire game, as multiple reports from Marc Stein and Shams Charania earlier in the day made the trade appear as a foregone conclusion, and McCollum and Kispert were awkwardly awaiting their destiny on the bench.

The Sixers, conversely, played with intent and energy through the entire 48 minutes against an undermanned team, wiping the slate clean from their embarrassing loss to Denver on Monday.

The three-headed monster of Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Joel Embiid led the way for the home squad, scoring 54 of the teams 62 first-half points.

Outside of a rocky second quarter thanks to some questionable lineups, the Sixers never gave them a chance.

The even performances bears a tough decision, but each quarter had a Bell Ringer-worthy performance within.

Editor’s note: We’re going to try something different tonight. Instead of a poll, I’m going to comment on the post with each candidate. Each comment/player name will be featured at the top of the comments. Give a “rec” for the player you’re voting for. This will give you all a running tally. It’s not perfect, but it was a fine suggestion by one of our readers, so we’re going to give it a shot.

Tyrese Maxey: 22 points, 9-of-15 FG, 4-of-10 3PT, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block

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It was a milder night from Maxey in terms of scoring, but he showcased his leadership by setting the tone early in the game following a brutal loss against the Nuggets. He would drain four from deep in the first frame, often taking advantage of retreating defenders in transition. He has been automatic in transition all season, but there was a level of comfort to it early in this game.

🧑‍🍳💋 pic.twitter.com/cNMg5XyiBe

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 8, 2026

He tallied a couple of challenging finishes on back-to-back possessions later in the second quarter to help the Sixers regain the lead.

This Tyrese Maxey move 😱

Pumpfakes.
Drives towards the rim.
Wild circus finish.

He's got 20… tap to watch: https://t.co/kQMbjf7ZWo pic.twitter.com/MMbnSKwjzh

— NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2026

He also pulled off a savvy move on Marvin Bagley in the third that has become a staple in his offensive arsenal this year, sticking him to his back hip all the way to the rim.

Paul George: 23 points, 7-of-11 FG, 4-of-8 3PT, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block

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Paul George played savior in the second quarter when the Sixers really took their foot off the gas. During a stretch without Maxey or Embiid to start the frame, the Wizards went on a 16-5 run, where George was responsible for all five points. He continued on a stretch scoring eight straight and finished the third with three makes from deep, a midrange pull-up and 13 points total.

PG cookin pic.twitter.com/43ZGEQieeX

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 8, 2026

He joined VJ Edgecombe in the fourth to help push the lead to 20 with a push shot of his own. Other than that, George’s second half was quiet.

Joel Embiid: 28 points, 10-of-14 FG, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks

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Embiid laid claim to the third quarter, displaying efficient shooting from all over the floor. He would score on a trio of post hooks on Alex Sarr, a nifty midrange on the elbow, and a deep three to total 12 points in the quarter.

Joel getting warm pic.twitter.com/ttiBUBflcD

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 8, 2026

After a rough second-quarter, Embiid was the stabilizing force in the third on both ends. He blocked a cutting Justin Champagnie saving two points that would have cut the Sixers lead to just five. For the first game in a while, Embiid did not take an unnecessary spill or have a scare with his lower body.

VJ Edgecombe: 13 points, 4-of-13, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 5 steals

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Edgecombe had a rough shooting night but was still making impact plays up and down the court, especially in the final frame. He started the frame with a couple fadeaway jumpers and a steal to help push the lead to over 20. It’s incredible to see a rookie consistently impact the defense in clutch moments, and his decision making in the open court.

Oubre steal ➡️ VJ dime ➡️ Grimes slam@Liberty_Ballers pic.twitter.com/RcLCa2Azti

— Drew Peltzman (@dapeltz13) January 8, 2026

He also had a couple attempts at the dunk of the year — one was ruled a charge and the other was blocked. His vertical is going to surprise the wrong defender and they will be on posters throughout Philadelphia… soon.

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Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ds-big-3-tyrese-maxey-paul-george-joel-embiid
 
Don’t expect more Joel Embiid dunks, but his upward trajectory is encouraging

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Young Joel Embiid could make a poster on any given night. Hell, he’d show up to a Philly neighborhood court and dunk on Joe Schmo.

But multiple knee surgeries later, dunks haven’t been a part of Embiid’s game in recent years. Over the first seven years of his career, Embiid averaged 63.9 dunks in 56.3 games. In the past two seasons combined, he had 24 total dunks in 58 games.

Through 15 games in 2025-26, Embiid had yet to throw one down. He finally got one — one even he admitted was a little cheap — to put the cherry on top of an impressive win over the New York Knicks. The very next game against the Denver Nuggets, Embiid recorded another slam — though that one barely even got over the rim.

Then it really happened in Wednesday’s 131-110 win over the Washington Wizards. Less than two minutes into the game, Embiid muscled away from second-year big man Alex Sarr, received an on-the-money pass from Paul George, and flushed it down emphatically with two hands.

Nothing cheap about that one, and the bench responded in kind.

“Honestly, I don’t really want to do it,” Embiid said, “but I know that if I do it … it makes a lot of people happy. It’s good for the vibes. And we needed that tonight, especially after the other [night‘s loss].”

Even by Joel Embiid standards, the previous three years had been chaotic:

  • He won an MVP
  • Was playing at an even more insane level to start the following season
  • Broke the franchise single-game scoring record
  • Tore his meniscus again, got surgery and returned for the end of the regular season
  • Averaged 33.0 points in a tough playoff series
  • Won an Olympic gold medal
  • Signed an extension
  • Only played 19 games last season
  • Underwent another knee procedure

There’s been a peace to Embiid this season. It seems he’s listening to his body and the medical staff more, and the outside nonsense less. He’d be the first person to tell you the beginning of the season was difficult. He was on the court, but his body simply couldn’t do what he wanted it to.

With more consistent playing time and no minutes restriction holding him back, we’re getting glimpses of peak Embiid. He’s averaged 29.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 32.9 minutes a game while shooting 52.3% from the field (a figure that could continue to tick up once he finds his three-ball again). Those numbers are nice, but the eye test feels even more important. He’s contesting more shots at the rim, he’s actively jumping for rebounds, he’s getting downhill on drives — all his movements look much more fluid in general.

The thing is though, this might just be the start. Embiid might have even more to give as he’s further removed from surgery.

“I have all those moments like I think all the fans do that you say, ‘alright, there’s some stuff we remember,‘” Nick Nurse said, “and I don’t know … I think there’s still a long way to go yet. I think it’s looking a lot better, he’s come a long way, but I think there’s still a ways to go yet, which I think is encouraging for not only him but our team.”

If Embiid remains healthy, he could take his game up another level, but the remaining healthy part has always been the trickiest.

Embiid played just two games in the month of November, missing nine with soreness in his right knee, not the left one he’s had his two most recent procedures on. He’s also popped up on the injury report with an ankle sprain recently.

We can’t be certain any player will remain healthy, but the fear of injury is much more prevalent for Embiid than just about any player in the league. But what’s the use in dwelling on that if you’re Embiid or the Sixers? All the team can do is continue to stack days and build chemistry, while hoping the former MVP not only remains healthy, but continues his upward trajectory.

“Just gotta keep going,” Embiid said. “I’m still building myself back up. We just have to be smart.“

Paul George is in a similar boat, having basically a lost first season in Philadelphia. His numbers have ticked up and he’s looked better on the court. He scored 23 points Wednesday, marking the first time all of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and George have scored 20-plus points in the same game.

And like Embiid, George has rocked the rim a couple times recently, most recently in Dallas in a win over the Mavericks, eliciting quite the reaction from the bench. Those are fun moments for a team looking to become a cohesive unit.

They mean a lot to those players, who’ve been through so much over the last year and change.

“They’ve been a part of the long days, the grueling days of us being sidelined and us rehabbing,” George said. “Those small things keep us going. Now, I’m looking forward to the next time I can attack and go to the rim and dunk and share that moment with those guys on the sideline. It just means so much more than two points. … It’s a morale boost and a confidence booster. … And I think it’s us showing how big of a bond this team has.”

As usual, Embiid brought levity to the proceedings when asked what it meant for his teammates to be so excited for his dunks.

“It means to me I might be washed,” Embiid joked.

Don’t expect Embiid to put a guy on a poster anytime soon, but his upward trajectory is arguably the most encouraging thing for the Sixers’ chances to stay relevant this season.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...s-wizards-paul-george-nick-nurse-tyrese-maxey
 
Joel Embiid questionable for Sixers’ visit to Orlando

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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off of one of their more comfortable wins of the season so far, a 131-110 victory over the Washington Wizards that saw the trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George each score more than 20 points in the same game for the first time ever as Sixers.

The squad may be missing a piece of the Big 3 on Friday evening, however, with Philadelphia’s early injury report listing Embiid as questionable for the team’s contest visiting the Orlando Magic due to left knee injury management.

Embiid has played the Sixers’ last five games in a row across nine days, his best availability of the season by far. More importantly, he’s looked efficient and comfortable on the floor in those contests. In the five games, within which the Sixers have gone 4-1, Embiid averaged 28.4 points shooting 53.6% from the floor with 8.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 34.2 minutes per outing.

For what it’s worth, Embiid had also been listed as questionable early on for Wednesday’s contest against the Washington Wizards. On gameday, he was upgraded to probable and ended up playing, scoring 28 points (on 10-for-14 field goal shooting) in under 26 minutes played.

For the third game in a row, the Sixers will be going up against a relatively-depleted opponent. For the Magic, Franz Wagner, averaging 22.7 points per game this season in 24 games, will be out due to a left high ankle sprain. Jalen Suggs, averaging 15.0 points, 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, is also ruled out due to an MCL contusion. Rookie Jase Richardson, who notched a career-high 20 points against the Wizards on Tuesday, is questionable with left ankle soreness.

We will keep you updated as more information about Embiid’s status becomes available.

The Sixers and Magic tip off in Orlando on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-report-nba-sixers-philadelphia-orlando-magic
 
Sixers kick off tough stretch starting with Orlando Magic

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The Sixers are coming off a much-needed bounce-back win at home against the Washington Wizards, shaking off a disappointing loss. There won’t be much time to savor it, though, as they begin one of the toughest stretches of their regular-season schedule with a road matchup against the Orlando Magic.

The Magic opened the year in miserable fashion, dropping four of their first five games, including a loss to Philadelphia. Since that slow start, Orlando has found its footing. Their offense now ranks 16th in the league, while their defense sits 11th overall, just outside the top 10.

Even with that improvement, the Magic have once again had to deal with a significant share of injuries. As things stand now, they’re without Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs — two of the more important players on their roster. Franchise cornerstone Paolo Banchero by most accounts has had a disappointing year, but he appears to finally be turning a corner. He’s fresh off a game-winner against the Brooklyn Nets, and will look to keep the positive momentum going against the Sixers who have struggled to guard him in the past.

The seemingly never-ending injuries have created a silver lining for the Magic. Anthony Black, their lottery pick from a few years ago, has been called upon and has delivered. Over the past 25 games, the third-year guard is averaging 17.8 points, 4.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game. Even while shorthanded, Orlando will not lack length, size or athleticism with Black and Banchero leading the way.

Shifting the focus north, the Sixers have plenty working in their favor. Health has finally swung their way, as their most recent game marked the first time they posted a clean injury report in nearly two years. Individually, the core group of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George and Joel Embiid appears to be hitting its stride. Embiid, in particular, has looked like his usual dominant self, playing five straight games and averaging nearly 30 points over that stretch. Philadelphia will need that presence again to counter Orlando’s size and defensive capabilities.

George has also started to find his rhythm, turning in arguably his best performance of the season against the Washington Wizards. With injuries and new additions constantly shifting the rotation, that game marked the first time the team’s top stars carried them to a comfortable win. That group will look to build on that momentum as they face a tougher test on the road against the Magic.

Heading into this game, the Magic have ruled out Suggs, Franz Wagner and Mo Wagner. Rookie Jase Richardson is questionable with a sore ankle. If Richardson cannot play, the Magic will likely turn to Tyus Jones, who had a solid game against the Sixers but has struggled for much of the season, along with more on ball responsibility for Black.

For the Sixers, Embiid is the key name to monitor as he remains questionable with left knee injury management. Kelly Oubre will be available, while G League assignees Johni Broome, MarJon Beauchamp and Justin Edwards are listed as doubtful.

The Sixers’ upcoming schedule is anything but a cakewalk. After this matchup, they head to Toronto for a back-to-back set against the Raptors, then return home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers twice later in the week. Both opponents are firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff race. A win in Orlando would go a long way toward keeping Philadelphia afloat and improving its margin for error during what may be the toughest stretch of its schedule. The question now is whether the Sixers can rediscover the success they had earlier this season against the Magic.

Game Details


When: Friday, January 9, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: KIA Center, Orlando, FL
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...off-tough-stretch-starting-with-orlando-magic
 
Sixers Bell Ringer: Sixers move up to fifth seed with strong road win over Magic

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2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 15
VJ Edgecombe – 5
Joel Embiid – 3
Paul George – 3
Andre Drummond – 2
Dominick 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



As the song goes, here come the Sixers. Philadelphia has now won five of its last six games, only inexplicably losing to the Hospital Nuggets in overtime. Friday night in Orlando, the two teams couldn’t hit any outside shots in the first half. The Sixers’ offense then got its act together in the third quarter, and the group closed out the fourth quarter with an outstanding defensive effort, holding the Magic to just 12 points in the period. With the 103-91 win, the Sixers have moved up to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, and at 21-15, they are six games over .500 for the first time this season. Philadelphia will now also have any potential regular season tiebreaker against the Magic after winning the season series, 2-1. It was simply a workmanlike, drama-free road win against a solid opponent. As Johnny Gomez used to say, “Good fight, good night.” Let’s talk Bell Ringer.

Editor’s note: We’ve tweaked out voting process. Instead of a poll, I’m going to comment on the post with each candidate. Each comment/player name will be featured at the top of the comments. Give a “rec” for the player you’re voting for. This will give you all a running tally. It’s not perfect, but it was a fine suggestion by one of our readers, so we’re going to give it a shot.

Tyrese Maxey: 29 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 turnover

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After an ice-cold (for him) 12 points in the first half, Maxey caught fire in the third quarter and more than doubled that total with 14 points in the frame. It was the full arsenal from Tyrese, a pull-up three in transition, a floater in the lane through contact, and putting Jamal Cain in the spin cycle for a driving layup. When things aren’t clicking offensively as a whole for the team, it’s a wonderful fallback to have a guy capable of getting his own off the dribble or fire away from a few feet behind the three-point arc. Maxey basically had one good quarter and nearly put up a 30-spot. It’s no wonder he’s putting up the sort of ascendant numbers we’ve seen this season.

Seven straight Sixers' points from Tyrese Maxey 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GfdEiRcIeh

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 10, 2026

Paul George: 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers

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Paul George drove the getaway car for the Sixers, taking over at the beginning of the fourth quarter as part of the group that put the game away. In the first six minutes of the period, he recorded eight points, four rebounds, an assist, and two blocks. The Sixers went from up four to up 13 points when PG subbed out midway through the quarter. It was the sort of lineup-carrying performance with Maxey and Embiid both resting on the bench that the organization envisioned when they dropped the bag on him in free agency. George also hit 19,000 career points during the game, the 67th player in NBA history to reach that milestone.

PG with the nice left-handed finish through contact 😮‍💨 He's got 6 points in Q4 already. pic.twitter.com/bRg8hnjz1d

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 10, 2026

Joel Embiid: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 turnovers

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It was a less efficient night than Joel has put together recently, but still a step in the nice direction. First off, it was his sixth consecutive game played, which many would have reasonably thought we might not see this season. He looked good physically, initiating contact for a bushel of points in the paint. Even his jumpers came with a guy on his back, followed by a fadeaway or turnaround face-up. We also saw yet another dunk from Joel! Embiid looks to be feeling good out on the court, and it’s not at all surprising that the team’s success has ticked up in tandem with improved health for the big man.

Joel Embiid hits the baseline fade over rookie Noah Penda pic.twitter.com/smm2gW6uEy

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 10, 2026

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Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...up-fifth-seed-road-win-over-orlando-magic-nba
 
Sixers start road trip with gritty win over Magic

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You can lay as many bricks as you want as long as you come away with a win.

The Sixers won their fifth game out of their last six, beating the Magic 103-91 in Orlando Friday night. With this being the third and final meeting between these two, the Sixers have clinched the season series.

Tyrese Maxey found his shooting stroke in the second half, once again taking his place as the game’s leading scorer with 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting.

Joel Embiid scored at least 20 for the 15th time in his 19 appearances, finishing with 22 and nine rebounds shooting 7-of-17 from the floor.

Paul George took over the beginning of the fourth quarter, putting up 18 points going 8-of-21 from the floor with nine rebounds. VJ Edgecombe was the lone Sixer to have a stronger start than finish, having just six points along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black led Orlando with 23.

Unbelievably, the Sixers once again had their whole main roster available while the Magic were down Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter​

  • The Sixers came out pretty flat offensively. They only scored on free throws for the first three and a half minutes of the game before a Dominick Barlow putback dunk. Things started to open up a bit when Edgecombe used a pick-and-roll to get a wide open floater and took an Embiid outlet pass all the way up the floor to get Barlow a transition bucket.
up & under pic.twitter.com/0abx0G86hf

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 10, 2026
  • That hardly got the lid off the rim though as they started the game 4-of-15 from the field. They began to generate good looks, such as Maxey missing two open threes off the catch. He missed his first six attempts of the game while the team missed all of their 11 three-point attempts in the quarter.
  • It was really only Edgecombe who looked good to start, so naturally he had to leave the game after getting inadvertently poked in the eye. In other unfortunate injury news, many people’s favorite ref (including mine) Bill Kennedy appeared to pull something running down the floor and had to leave the game. The Sixers trailed by four after one as there were only two officials for the rest of the night.
They are taking Kennedy off the floor. He has a towel over his head and appears to be in quite a bit of pain……

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) January 10, 2026

Second Quarter​

  • More importantly though, Edgecombe was right back out there to start the second. Embiid was able to get some better looks, nailing a midrange and hitting Barlow for a lob, but he even coughed the ball up after beating Goga Bitadze off the dribble. Orlando was shooting just as poorly, slipping under 40% from the field themselves.
  • As soon as the Sixers clawed back to tie the game, they surrendered an 8-0 run. Jared McCain had a quiet first shift after dribbling the ball off his foot early, but it was him who ended that run, able to get all the way to the basket.
  • With all these bricks came more opportunities for offensive rebounds, and at least both teams did that, combining for 27 second-chance points in the half. The Sixers also generating plenty of fast break opportunities thanks to seven steals. The last of which was capped off by an Embiid layup at the end of a 10-2 Sixers run. They got beat down the floor and gave up a fast break layup of their own off a made basket, allowing the Magic to retake a one-point lead at the break.
PG and Embiid turning defense into offense to end the first half. pic.twitter.com/g2gHn6Ep4J

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 10, 2026

Third Quarter​

  • Maxey finally got a couple of jumpers to fall to start the second half — his midrange pull-up bounced off the rim then backboard before falling in. The three off the catch on the following possession fell, but his heatcheck from way out rimmed out.
  • Right after steamrolling his way to the basket for a dunk, Embiid took a pretty hard fall after being fouled. He favored his side for a bit and Edgecombe got himself in a double technical situation getting snippy with Penda, but Embiid nailed both of his free throws and was looking just fine staying in the game.
Joel Embiid dunk and one 💪 pic.twitter.com/fG3DLt592a

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 10, 2026
  • Thanks to their ability to keep generating turnovers, the Sixers were able to take their first extended lead of the game. Maxey hadn’t scored since his early flurry but got going again with a couple drives to the basket. Shortly after he buried a stepback three to pick up his 14th point of the quarter. Embiid took another hard fall on a drive but again popped top to knock down both free throws. Desmond Bane was able to quickly get down the floor and catch his hand in the cookie jar on a floater, an and-1 that cut the Sixers’ lead to four entering the fourth.

Fourth Quarter​

  • George definitely got away with goaltending Jett Howard’s layup to start the quarter, but Howard’s three-point attempt was cleanly blocked by Oubre and easily his best play so far since returning. They seemed to settle in to the quarter well with George picking up a few baskets, the only negative being they put the Magic in the bonus less than four minutes in.
PG with the nice left-handed finish through contact 😮‍💨 He's got 6 points in Q4 already. pic.twitter.com/bRg8hnjz1d

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 10, 2026
  • Despite the fouling their defense was superb, holding the Magic scoreless for over three and a half minutes and without a field goal for nearly five. George was shooting as poorly as anyone to start the night but really found a groove with his midrange jumper, helping the Sixers push their lead to double digits.
  • Maxey hit a three to make the reeling Magic call a timeout. He was the only Sixer to hit a three in the half, but he had still tripled the team’s made threes from the first half so it was technically an improvement. The Sixers only made one field goal after that made three at the 3:42 mark, but that was all it took to put this particular game away.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...se-maxey-joel-embiid-paul-george-vj-edgecombe
 
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