News 76ers Team Notes

[Philadelphia 76ers]

As trade deadline nears, Sixers find themselves in a tricky spot

Even with their dispiriting loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night, the Sixers sit at 22-17, good for fifth in the East. If fans were told that would be the case back in October — and the team was getting MVP-caliber play from Tyrese Maxey, a physically improving version of Joel Embiid and a Rookie of the Year-level campaign from VJ Edgecombe — they’d have been ecstatic.

The Sixers have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the NBA this season. They have a legitimate chance at a guaranteed playoff spot and are only 2.5 games back of the two seed. A lot of things have to go right, but there’s a shred of hope after one of the most nightmarish seasons in franchise history.

But as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches, the team’s approach isn’t cut and dry. Do you make an all-in move trying to capitalize on what Embiid and Paul George still have in the tank? Do you look for future assets, letting the season play out with most of the current pieces intact? Is there a move to be made in the middle? Do the Sixers really let the air out of things and duck the tax (again)?

Let’s work backwards here and start with the possibility of a money-saving move. Man, after all the work Embiid and George have done to get back on the court and with the special season Maxey is currently having, it would be a massive disappointment if the team simply dodges the tax while making no moves of consequence.

As the Slopfather TrillBroDude points out on The Feed, something with the Memphis Grizzlies where they become a third team to facilitate a Ja Morant deal — taking back Jock Landale while moving Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and a second or two — maybe threads that needle. Landale provides a slight upgrade over Drummond while also helping the tax bill. That type of deal would also clear the way for the Sixers to convert the contracts of Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker to standard deals. If that’s the only move made, it’s likely greeted with a shrug over pitchforks.

What about going all-in? It seems pretty obvious the Sixers need to tread a bit lightly there. Embiid and George are playing regularly and actively helping the team win games, but it’s still difficult to trust their health. If you use a valuable asset like the LA Clippers’ unprotected pick and then Embiid goes down again, that’s a tough pill to swallow.

If the Sixers go for a minor rotational upgrade over the guys on their current roster, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what they should target positionally. They still have a glut of guards, especially if Kelly Oubre, Jr., who can defend guards and provide supplemental ball-handling, remains after the deadline. They have options at the five with Embiid, Drummond, Adem Bona and even Barlow and Walker. The Sacramento Kings’ Keon Ellis and Indiana Pacers’ Jay Huff have been linked to the Sixers at those positions. Could they be tax-lowering guys that are also upgrades? Eh.

One area where the Sixers can genuinely improve is on the wing. George and Oubre are their only consistent rotation options. Justin Edwards has battled inconsistency in his second season and the only other rostered wing is two-way player MarJon Beauchamp. Every contender could use a 3-and-D wing. The Sixers are no different.

Of course, there are loftier names out there that could help the Sixers achieve the goal of improving the team now and in the future. The New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly been rebuffing teams calling about Trey Murphy … but you know that ain’t stopping Daryl Morey. Same goes for the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson, Jr. if that organization looks for a full rebuild.

More realistically, there was a report last week that the Atlanta Hawks could consider moving Onyeka Okongwu. He’d be a super intriguing fit as a guy who can play next to and back up Embiid. Plus, he’s on a team-friendly contract and just turned 25 last month. Memphis’ Santi Aldama is in a similar boat, having just turned 25 and on a great value contract.

Here’s the thing: the Sixers might not even know the direction they’re going with a few weeks left until the deadline. But if the team is healthy and still winning games, it should make things interesting. It could be an opportunity to recapture a fanbase that’s rightfully been skeptical of being ten toes down on this team.

It could very well be up to the team to force Morey and the front office to make something happen.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...s-grizzlies-rumors-kelly-oubre-andre-drummond

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers host Cavs in final regular-season matchup

The Sixers are coming off another convincing loss to the Cavaliers, falling 133–107. Their third and final opportunity to secure a regular-season win against Cleveland comes Friday night, when they’ll once again host the Cavs.

Coming off a matchup just 24 hours earlier, the Sixers were outworked and outplayed on nearly every front. Cleveland caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down 20 threes, with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combining for 55 points compared to just 25 from the Sixers’ backcourt. Evan Mobley was dominant on the glass, pulling down 13 rebounds and single-handedly out-rebounding Joel Embiid (4), Paul George (4) and Jabari Walker (4). Defensively, the Cavs were stifling, completely neutralizing Philadelphia’s backcourt and throwing the Sixers’ offensive sets into disarray.

This time around, there will be a few subtle differences. Garland, who scored 20 points, will miss this game, which would shake up Cleveland’s game plan. He suffered a leg and/or toe injury in their last outing and did not return. That absence should lead to more minutes for Lonzo Ball and likely Craig Porter Jr., who would soak up some of the guard workload. Mitchell would also be expected to take on additional playmaking responsibilities.

For the Sixers, the goal will be a stronger performance across the board. That starts with Tyrese Maxey, who turned in a rare off night, shooting just 5-of-16 from the floor. His backcourt partner, VJ Edgecombe, was also quiet, scoring only nine points on 3-of-10 shooting. With Garland likely out, both players will need to step up and deliver the kind of performances we’ve come to expect.

The Sixers also lost Dominick Barlow in their last game after he took a nasty fall. While X-rays came back negative, he could miss this game (more on that below). That likely would mean extended minutes for Jabari Walker. Walker played a limited role in the last game, but he brought good energy, hustled on the glass, and had some positive moments. The Sixers may lean on him more here, as he’s likely to draw the bulk of the Mobley assignment and be tasked with keeping the rebounding disparity to a minimum.

Injury report wise, things appear to be mostly good. Embiid and George are probable, with Kelly Oubre listed as available. Barlow is listed as questionable with a back contusion. The Cavs have a new addition to their injury report, with Garland ruled out in advance due to great toe soreness. Sam Merrill (hand sprain), Max Strus and Dean Wade are other key Cavaliers who will not be available.

The Sixers dropped the first game of this regular-season mini-series between the two clubs. The same was true against the Toronto Raptors, where they responded by winning the second leg of that back-to-back. Let’s see if the Sixers can replicate that success and split these two games against the Cavs.

Game Details​

When: Friday, January 16, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: ESPN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ers-host-cavs-in-final-regular-season-matchup

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers Bell Ringer: Cavs jump Sixers in the East standings after two-game sweep

2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 17
VJ Edgecombe – 5
Paul George – 5
Joel Embiid – 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

---

The Sixers dropped their second game in a row to the Cavaliers on Friday, blowing an 11-point fourth quarter lead.

It was a second consecutive difficult night for the starting backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, combining for only 32 points. Cleveland’s second-year wing Jaylon Tyson put up a career-high 39 points, missing only four shots on 17 attempts.

This caused the Sixers to play through Embiid for most of the game offensively, which had some consequential side-effects in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers’ relentless rim pressure in the final frame displayed Embiid’s physical shortcomings, and surged them back into the game with the chance to win the game in the final seconds.

Lonzo Ball inbounded the ball with eight seconds remaining, gave it to the on-fire Tyson who drove baseline and dropped off a beautiful wrap-around pass to Evan Mobley for an easy layup. With no timeouts remaining and just a few seconds remaining, the Sixers were forced into a last-second heave from Maxey, which missed wide right.

JAYLON TYSON FINDS EVAN MOBLEY FOR THE GAME-WINNER

CAVS COMPLETE THE COMEBACK AND WIN IN PHILLY! pic.twitter.com/vpDomPl9vp

— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2026

Lets get to Bell Ringer, then forget this two-game stretch ever existed.

Joel Embiid: 33 points, 10-of-22 FG, 11-of-12 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block

Embiid was the sole source of offense for the Sixers on Friday, as the Cavs continued to enforce strong defense against the Sixers guards. He got into a groove early on after making his first couple shots, and began mixing up his offensive attack.

His free-throw line jumper and appears to be in pristine condition as he continues to find his touch in the midrange. He had a couple possessions taking Mobley on with power dribbles, getting to his fade and the rim with ease.

Big fella with the corner three and he's got a game-high 28. Sixers up 73-64. pic.twitter.com/Fleir3sSkL

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 17, 2026

He was persistently drawing fouls no matter if it was Mobley or Jarrett Allen on him, slowing the game down to fit his style of play. He came out strong offensively in the second half, accounting for most of the teams points in the third. It would begin to trickle off in the fourth, as more was being asked of him on the defensive end. He had an insane chase down block on Hunter, but other than that, was largely getting picked on late with consistent rim attacks.

Adem Bona: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks

There are two moments to highlight from Bona’s performance. The first came in the second quarter where in a span of 30 seconds, Bona threw down a cutting dunk, defended Mobley on the perimeter, blocked Tyson’s layup, and blocked a Tyrese Proctor layup on the next possession.

What a sequence from Adem Bona!

A big-time slam followed by TWO incredible blocks

Tap to watch on ESPN: https://t.co/cMTBYNvzNm pic.twitter.com/WDR3yMsEc5

— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2026

The second moment came in the fourth quarter, where he lost one of his shoes, and played about five possessions straight as if everything was normal.

Honorable Mentions: Tyrese Maxey (9 assists, 5 steals), Quentin Grimes (7 rebounds)

Both receive honorary nominations for their team-leading stats, despite both having subpar shooting nights.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-embiid-adem-bona-tyrese-maxey-quentin-grimes

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Jared McCain assigned to Delaware Blue Coats

Jared McCain has not played more than 11 minutes in a game since Jan. 5. After he didn’t even see the court in Friday night’s 117-115 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, many people openly wondered whether he might be better served by a G League stint with Delaware. On Saturday afternoon, the Philadelphia 76ers arrived at the same conclusion:

Jared McCain assigned to Blue Coats, per Sixers.

— Paul Hudrick (@PaulHudrick) January 17, 2026

McCain played in a couple of games with the Blue Coats back in November. At the time, he was very recently removed from coming off the injury report for a torn UCL in his right thumb. He also hadn’t played an NBA game since December 2024 following meniscus surgery in his left knee, and going through a couple different brace options for that knee at the time. It made sense for him to get some game action in Delaware to assist in the proverbial ramp up so he could get back to receiving regular rotation minutes with the big club.

Now we’re in mid-January, and any progress has stalled, if not outright regressed. Head coach Nick Nurse is not trusting McCain with significant minutes, and in fairness, Jared has not been playing well. He is shooting just 35.4 percent on the season, including 32.3 percent from three-point range, and that’s supposed to be the strong area of his game. A recent tough stretch aside, the Sixers are winning games, or at the very least having games come down to the wire, and fighting for playoff position. Nurse is in a position where he wants his best players on the floor as much as possible, and it’s not as though he’s hurting for guard options.

However, as I wrote about a month ago, it’s not exactly a fair situation for McCain either. He’s coming off a couple of significant injuries, didn’t have a full training camp or preseason, and now is supposed to be out there like he never missed a beat? It has to be very hard to work yourself back into a rhythm in a real game environment when you’re maybe seeing two stretches of five-minute run on a given night.

Hopefully, another stint down in the G League will be just what Jared needs to knock the rust off and all parties will benefit in short order. The Blue Coats will next play a pair of games in Indiana against the Noblesville Boom on Sunday and Monday afternoon.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ers-assigned-delaware-blue-coats-nba-g-league

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

When it rains, it pours this year in Philadelphia sports

This city can handle frustrating roster-building moves, and it can certainly handle losing. The constant barrage it’s come in this fall and winter is quite a lot to process.

It hasn’t just been a bad week for the Sixers, who capped off a 1-3 week by blowing a 10-point fourth quarter lead to an Eastern Conference rival. If anything, it’s been rougher on the other local ball clubs.

The Eagles’ title defense fell flat on its face in the first round of the NFL playoffs. A season’s worth of offensive frustration culminating in an extremely winnable loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

After three straight playoff flameouts, the Phillies appeared poised to finally shake up their lineup by adding infielder Bo Bichette, who just played a big role in Toronto Blue Jays’ run to the World Series. Not only did the Phillies fail to sign Bichette, but he ended up signing with the hated New York Mets.

The Phillies had agreed to Bo Bichette’s request for a 7-year, $200 million deal last night and believed they would sign him until the Mets swooped in with their 3-year, $126 million offer after losing out in in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 16, 2026

I don’t really follow hockey at all but I see that the Flyers have now lost five games in a row as well.

This is not even the first week from hell Philadelphia sports fans have suffered in the past 6 months. Back in mid-October, the Phillies were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs, the walk-off play being a bone-headed play by relief pitcher Orion Kerkering errantly coming home with a comebacker as opposed to getting the easy out at first base.

That very same night, the Eagles suffered a humiliating loss to another division rival, the New York Giants. They didn’t just lose to a team that would win four games all season, but were run off the field in a 34-17 blowout.

The nice thing about having four sports team in your city is when one frustrates you, there’s normally another one getting their season underway or kicking into gear to distract you from that.

As someone who not just blogs about the Sixers, but covers them, I’ve detached myself from rooting for them. That certainly isn’t the case for those other two teams.

Back on Oct. 9, the day of Game 4 of the NLDS and the Thursday Night Football matchup, I was dying for that Eagles game to kick off. Like so many, I was skeptical of the Phils being successful on their third attempt at running it back, and when they were already on the brink of elimination, I was just ready for it to be over.

It might be unfair to lump the Sixers in with this for just losing three games in an 82-game season, all of which to playoff teams. That’s nothing compared to the existential problem of an aging roster, or one that just seems to not like each other.

While I was already watching the Sixers take on the Raptors because it’s my job, I’m sure there were many ready to flip right over once the Eagles offense embarrassingly fizzled out in the second half at home against the Niners. After getting through an Eagles season that was miserable from the very first week, fans could immediately switch over to see the Sixers fumble a game in both regulation and overtime to the Toronto Raptors, a team they’re neck and neck with in the Eastern Conference standings.

After rebounding with a win in the follow-up to Toronto, they were still winners of seven of their last 10 games and had two nationally televised games to show both their fans and the larger NBA audience reason to feel good about this franchise again.

They might have gotten smoked by the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the first matchup, but they had an opportunity to get them right back on Friday. With the Cavs down Darius Garland, it was the perfect chance to give the city a palette cleanser after the Bichette news broke earlier in the day. Phillies fans especially needed the Sixers to get a win, to have something to point at to say, “at least it’s not all bad.”

For so long it looked like they would pull out the win the city needed. Joel Embiid was in complete control offensively as he dropped 33 points, and the Sixers built a 10-point lead in the fourth. That quickly crumbled though, giving the Sixers another frustrating loss at the buzzer — that lead gone along with any hope of reprieve from this miserable week.

Look, this is just a Sixers blog, I get that. Maybe you don’t care about the Eagles (God bless you), the Phillies (seriously good call), or the Flyers (no, that’s a great call, though.) This city is built by 4-for-4s though.

For anyone who falls in that sort of boat, the pain these teams caused haven’t just been frequent, it’s been relentless.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...len-hurts-offense-phillies-bo-bichette-flyers

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Poor close, Cavs’ hot shooting doom Sixers, who move to 10-11 at home

A fitting loss to cap off a terrible Philly sports week

The Sixers blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, falling 117-115 at the last second to the Cleveland Cavaliers, completing the sweep of the season series.

Joel Embiid had a classic Joel Embiid performance, leading all Sixers with 33 points shooting 10-of-22 from the floor. Tyrese Maxey at least looked better than he did Wednesday, putting up 22 points on 9-of-23 shooting, hitting a game-tying floater but not a potential half-court heave to win it.

VJ Edgecombe was again derailed by foul trouble, finishing with 10 points going 4-of-5. Paul George quietly steadied the second unit, having 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting along with five assists.

Jaylon Tyson led all scorers with 39.

Somehow Dominick Barlow was not only available, but back in the starting lineup after suffering a nasty looking back contusion Wednesday, leaving every Sixer available. The Cavs were down Darius Garland, Dean Wade, Sam Merrill and Max Strus.

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter​

• Yet another game with a fast offensive start as the teams combined to make 11 of their first 14 field goal attempts. Embiid got dunked on by Evan Mobley to open up the game’s scoring, but had comfortably settled in to his midrange by the nail on the other end. The Sixers were the first team to make an impact on the defensive end of the floor. Dominick Barlow didn’t seem too hampered, blocking a shot and ripping the ball away from Donovan Mitchell on two early plays while Maxey snagged an early steal as well.

pic.twitter.com/CWMDLFUugk

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 17, 2026

• That aggression, and some miscommunication, got the Sixers in a bit of trouble. Multiple times early two Sixers would follow the same Cavalier, leaving another wide open, but they were meeting even less resistance on the other end. Embiid and Maxey went to their actions frequently and got a good look just about every time, including a beautiful one-handed layup by Maxey after Embiid’s bounce pass led him perfectly to the spot.
• Embiid wouldn’t stay as efficient from the field but he continued to control things, getting a couple trips to the line to round out a 13-point quarter. The offense did miss him when he checked out, going scoreless after he buried a three at the 3:13 mark. Cleveland buried a couple threes in the final minute to knot the game at 31 after one.

Second Quarter​

• Maxey came off the floor but with George and Edgecombe returning it once again gave the offense some structure — the latter got himself a really nice layup cutting around the former. The Sixers also had their best stretch of protecting the basket to this point, thanks in large part to two blocks from Adem Bona.

What a sequence from Adem Bona!

A big-time slam followed by TWO incredible blocks

Tap to watch on ESPN: https://t.co/cMTBYNvzNm pic.twitter.com/WDR3yMsEc5

— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2026

• Thanks to seven steals in the first while only giving it away once themselves, the Sixers were thoroughly dominating the turnover battle. Just after extending their lead to double digits, two turnovers of their own gave that momentum right back to Cleveland. Edgecombe had the ball taken away from him way too easily while Kelly Oubre Jr. threw a pass that was way too easy to pick off. Those were big reasons for the 8-0 run the Cavs ripped off, but Craig Porter Jr. missing a pair of free throws settled things down for the moment.
• Maxey was able to spring free for an open three off the catch as well as a steal-and-slam, but this was another half in which he was struggling to create. The length Cleveland was throwing at him might have bothered him, but he just seemed to be having a harder time holding on to the ball. The Cavs were only able to load up on him more when Edgecombe had to sit the end of the half with foul trouble. Quentin Grimes replaced him and looked rough missing his first three shots of the night, but buried two threes to give the Sixers a seven-point lead at the half.

Third Quarter​

• Both Embiid and Tyson started the second half with the same rhythm they started the game with. While Embiid continued to enjoy open midranges off pick-and-pops, something just seemed slightly off with his two-man game with Maxey. For example, he threw the between-the-legs way drop pass way too early and dumped it into Jarrett Allen’s lap.
• A strong take with his left hand was just the type of basket Maxey needed, though that didn’t seem to get him going in any way. Another silly mistake, this time Oubre needlessly fouling Nae’Qwan Tomlin on a dunk again, gave the Cavs momentum to cut into the lead the Sixers threatened to push to double digits.

Rese to the hoop! pic.twitter.com/QSNXBj67wh

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 17, 2026

• Oubre did his best to make up for it though — he put back a missed Embiid layup, created a fast break layup for himself by running out after a miss, and knocked down a three. The Cavs took advantage of yet another sloppy turnover, but Maxey answered with a contested three to beat the shot clock and keep the lead at seven as the third expired.

Fourth Quarter​

• Sitting a good chunk of the game in foul trouble, Edgecombe hadn’t scored since his perfect 3-of-3 start to the night. Naturally, he opened the scoring for the Sixers in the fourth, matching a Mitchell three with one of his own. His second-unit running mate helped him lead the way as George knocked down a couple of baseline jumpers.

3J! pic.twitter.com/uJNsoM9Odw

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 17, 2026

• The Sixers’ offense went cold enough after that for the Cavs to rip off a 10-0 run to tie the game. It wasn’t due to getting bogged down either. They pushed up a possession to get Maxey a wide open three in the corner that he missed, Grimes beat his man off the dribble for a wide open layup but just smoked it. The Sixers answered with a 7-0 run, for once it was them taking advantage of silly mistakes. Tyson messed up taking the inbound and turned it over after another Maxey fast break layup, and Mobley stepped out of bounds trying to drive from the corner on the following possession.
• Once again, the Sixers ran bland offense down the stretch, and it again cost them. The first was a play that took way too long to develop after Maxey got doubled, Embiid couldn’t feel the defenders coming as the slow lob pass came to him and it was stolen. Maxey then went nowhere on a drive and had his runner blocked by Mobley. Embiid tried to post up Allen, got stonewalled and threw up an airball. Cleveland stormed back with another Tyson three giving them a one-point lead with less than two minutes to go.
• Maxey had a lot more space on his next drive and got fouled, retaking the lead at the line. They forced a miss on the following possession, but swinging to an open Oubre resulted in a missed three and De’Andre Hunter put Cleveland back in front. George was able to shake his defender but his turnaround jumper in the paint was no good.
• George and Oubre both played tough defense on Mobley who missed as well, but Oubre got enough forearm to be whistled for a foul — a challenge couldn’t overturn it. Mobley split his pair, giving the Sixers a chance to tie or go in front with 22.2 to go. Maxey and Embiid spent most of that time exchanging the ball, giving Maxey runway to tie the game with a floater with 8.1 seconds remaining. Cleveland went to their hot hand, Tyson got the ball on the baseline, spun, beat his defender, and drew to the help to get Mobley an open dunk with four seconds to go. Now of timeouts the Sixers could only get up a half court heave that didn’t fall.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...re-recap-joel-embiid-paul-george-tyrese-maxey

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Joel Embiid, Paul George questionable for Sixers-Pacers, McCain doubtful after G-League assignment

Unlike their last back-to-back, this one could actually have matchups factored into decisions here.

The Sixers released their injury report ahead of their home contest against the Indiana Pacers Monday. Nothing on it is too shocking with Joel Embiid and Paul George both listed as questionable with left knee injury management.

Despite it being a downgrade, both have been listed as probable for the past several games, this just boils down to this Pacers matchup being the front end of a back-to-back as they’re set to take on the Phoenix Suns Tuesday at home as well.

The two of them have both played in nine of Philly’s last 10 games, the only one missed also being a back-to-back last week in Toronto. Both of those legs were against the Raptors, so it didn’t really matter which one of the two they sat out. With the Suns being a notably tougher matchup than the 10-win Pacers, there’s actually a decision to make there if George and Embiid can only be available for one of those games.

Neither of the two have played both games of a back-to-back this season, but it’s worth noting that George was a very late scratch in that first game against the Raptors. Perhaps playing in both legs may be something he’s looking to do soon.

After being assigned to the G-League over the weekend, Jared McCain is listed as doubtful. Funnily enough, it was the Pacers G-League affiliate, the Noblesville Bloom, McCain played against in his first game with the Blue Coats since being sent down again. He didn’t exactly light the world on fire either, going for 15 points on 18 shots in six turnovers playing 30 minutes in a Coats loss.

Jared McCain played 30 minutes in the Delaware Blue Coats' 126-102 road loss against the Noblesville Boom. His line:

15 points (5-18 FG, 2-9 3P, 2-2 FT), 5 rebounds, 0 assists, 6 turnovers.

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) January 18, 2026

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...ers-mccain-doubtful-after-g-league-assignment

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers-Pacers: Second Half Thread

Game Details​

When: Monday, January 19, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-discussion-threads/84291/sixers-pacers-second-half-thread-nba

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers Bell Ringer: Embiid, Maxey help the Sixers get right vs. Pacers

2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:

Tyrese Maxey – 17
VJ Edgecombe – 5
Paul George – 5
Joel Embiid – 4
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

---

The Sixers welcomed the Indiana Pacers to South Philly on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a Monday night tilt between Eastern Conference foes. Paul George was the lone Sixer unavailable in this one as part of his load management plan for his knee. The Sixers came into this one riding the news of Tyrese Maxey having been named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter.

tonight’s starting five:

@TyreseMaxey
@vj_edgecombe
@KELLYOUBREJR
@JoelEmbiid
@Dominickbarlow_ pic.twitter.com/rd1psg2WSk

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 19, 2026

he's arrived. #NBAAllStar 𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙀𝙍: Tyrese Maxey ️ pic.twitter.com/9Aw5mls3Vb

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 19, 2026

The Sixers jumped out to an early 33-30 advantage after the first quarter behind some efficient scoring inside the arc. The Sixers were led in the first by none other than Joel Embiid and Maxey. Embiid poured in 10 points, knocking down a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor. Maxey put 11 on the board of his own. The Pacers were spear headed by Joel Embiid countrymate Pascal Siakam who put in nine points.

score after Q1. @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/KhAviVy7KK

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 20, 2026

The Sixers went cold in the second quarter, only mustering 17 points in the period. The Pacers went to the intermission with a 55-50 lead led by Andrew Nembhard and Siakam.

first half in the books. @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/nVl7jaxtn6

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 20, 2026

The Sixers got it revved back up in the third quarter putting in 32 points in the period. The third quarter was similar to the first. Embiid was firing on all cylinders. He led the Sixers with 21 points heading into the fourth quarter. The Sixers took a slim 82-81 advantage into the final frame. Former Sixer T.J. McConnell was a thorn in the Sixers’ side as he led all bench scorers with 10 points after three.

to the fourth we go. @cryptocom pic.twitter.com/ne91okHK3B

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 20, 2026

pic.twitter.com/utc8BiqTcQ

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 20, 2026

The fourth quarter was a slow grind to start as the Pacers took an early 88-86 lead. The Sixers from there would go on a 21-3 run led by a career high eight steals from your newest All-Star starter, Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers would take a commanding lead at 107-91 with just 3:00 to go in the ball game and not surrender it from there. The Sixers would go on to win this one by a final score of 113-104.

WINNERS WAVE. pic.twitter.com/Gy4WgFJJ4o

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 20, 2026

Now for your Bell Ringer.

Tyrese Maxey: 29 points, 8 assists, 8 steals, 12-for-24 from the field

Maxey set a career high with eight steals in this one. Maxey became just the second Sixer in franchise history to go for 25 points, eight assists and eight steals, and the first since Allen Iverson in 2003. Maxey is also the first Sixers guard since Iverson 16 years ago to be named an NBA All-Star starter. The newest-minted Sixers All-Star starter was a nightmare to stop from getting to the rim in this one. Maxey poured in 14 of his 29 points in the final period to stretch the Sixers lead and pull away for the win.

Joel Embiid: 30 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 10-for-17 from the field, 9-for-10 from the foul line

Embiid continues to show he is still one of the best big men in the game of basketball. This marked 14 consecutive games of 20+ from Embiid, a sight common for Sixers fans over the years. Embiid started off this one knocking down his first five attempts from the field and, after a quiet second quarter, got it rolling again in half No. 2 to help carry the Sixers to victory.

Join the conversation!​

Sign up for a user account and get:

• Fewer ads
• Create community posts
• Comment on articles, community posts
• Rec comments, community posts
• New, improved notifications system!

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...s-bell-ringer-pacers-tyrese-maxey-joel-embiid

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers-Suns: Second Half Thread

Game Details​

When: Tuesday, January 20, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...xers-phoenix-suns-nba-second-half-game-thread

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers Bell Ringer: Philadelphia eclipsed by the Suns

2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:

Tyrese Maxey – 18
VJ Edgecombe – 5
Paul George – 5
Joel Embiid – 4
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

---

Hello, darkness third quarter struggles, my old friend.

On Tuesday night, we got to watch a classic Philadelphia 76ers episode: the team getting their doors blown off in the third quarter. Going into halftime down by four, the Sixers actually had a nice couple minutes to open the second half and take the lead, but were then outscored, 38-18, by the Phoenix Suns to close the third quarter. The Sixers were completely out of sorts defensively, and it was a curious move by Nick Nurse to play a bigger lineup against a Suns group that features a lot of guard/wing types who are very capable outside shooters. Philadelphia went small in the fourth quarter and did make it a two-possession game late, but it was not an especially encouraging performance in the 116-110 loss.

Now losers of four of their last six contest, the Sixers have two games remaining on this homestand, with Houston next up on Thursday night. Tonight, though, let’s talk Bell Ringer.

VJ Edgecombe: 25 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers

The rookie looked to have somewhat fresher legs than most on the second night of the back-to-back. Edgecombe helped the Sixers get off to a good start with 10 points in the first quarter, hitting a handful of tough middies that are a continued evolution to his game. All night long, he was everywhere on the court, tracking down loose balls and corralling offensive rebounds. Edgecombe’s transition block of Jalen Green in the waning seconds of the first half was the ultimate combination of hustle and athleticism. He missed a couple more threes than you’d like, and had a few “learning on the job” turnovers as a primary ball handler, but overall, it was an outstanding 37-minute run from Edgecombe. I missed the headband, however.

bucket DENIED! pic.twitter.com/QUmzZLtskt

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 21, 2026

Kelly Oubre Jr.: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 turnovers

Facing his former club, Oubre assumed more offensive responsibility with Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined. He generated some points as a driver, and also knocked down open looks when defenses paid extra attention to Tyrese Maxey and Edgecombe. Kelly’s five made three-pointers were his most in a game since March 2024. He also was the Sixers’ primary wing defender with George unavailable, and put forth a tough, spirited effort on that end of the court. After this outing and his 18 points on Monday night, it looks like Kelly might now be back in the swing of things following the sprained LCL injury.

KO with his fourth triple. He leads all scorers with 16. pic.twitter.com/5z05XYsDQx

— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) January 21, 2026

Join the conversation!​

Sign up for a user account and get:

• Fewer ads
• Create community posts
• Comment on articles, community posts
• Rec comments, community posts
• New, improved notifications system!

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-sixers-bell-ringer-eclipsed-phoenix-suns-nba

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Joel Embiid probable, Paul George questionable as Houston Rockets come to town

No prizes for guessing who’s on it.

With the Houston Rockets coming to town Thursday the Sixers released their injury report and it’s filled with the usual suspects. After playing in the front end of their back-to-back earlier in the week, Joel Embiid is listed as probable. Instead of left knee injury management though the reason given in right ankle injury management, the same reason he missed that second game against the Phoenix Suns. That ankle issue has popped up on the report here and there for the past month or so, but hasn’t caused him to miss significant time.

What was surprising was Paul George missing both legs of that back-to-back, he was listed with the usual left knee injury management. The first game against the Pacers, George was ruled out right before pre-game press availability. The second against Phoenix he did make an attempt to warm-up, but was obviously ruled out for that one as well. Before the Suns game, Nick Nurse didn’t give any indication there was an attempt to stagger those two over the back-to-back.

George last appeared on Jan. 16, playing 30 minutes in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He might have just needed a couple extra days off, but any further missed time should be cause for concern.

The rest of the report is rounded out by MarJon Beauchamp and Johni Broome, both doubtful on a G-League assignment. The only thing noteworthy there is that it does not include Jared McCain. He didn’t play in either of the games for the Sixers since being recalled from his second G-League assignment, though the Blue Coats don’t have another game until Jan. 24.

Houston’s injury report is fairly light as well, outside of obviously missing Fred VanVleet who tore his ACL before the season started. They’ll also be without Steven Adams who suffered an ankle injury two games back.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-questionable-as-houston-rockets-come-to-town

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

The Sixers’ trade deadline will likely come down to acquiring two players already on their roster

Sure, they’ve had some frustrating losses get away from them, but halfway through the season, the Sixers are in as good a spot as any optimist could have hoped for before the season. At 23-19, they have set themselves up to not just make the playoffs, but potentially nab a top-six spot to avoid the Play-In tournament.

Not only has No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe flashed more star potential, but their two star veterans, Joel Embiid and Paul George, have been relatively healthy and available relative to last season — the former has already appeared in more games this season than the 2024-25 campaign.

So what will their trade deadline look like? For starters, any big splashy move doesn’t seem likely. Not just because the trade market seems so bare that players demanding trades are looking like they’ll stay put.

A franchise cornerstone plus two massive contracts the majority of the league still likely views as albatrosses are already good enough reason to stand pat, but the Sixers also still have some roster shuffling to sure up their front court rotation, and they’ll have to do so before the Feb. 5 deadline.

One of the best Sixers’ stories this year has been not just two-way forward Dominick Barlow looking like an NBA player, but earning a spot in the starting lineup. Jabari Walker, also on a two-way, has also been integral, appearing in 40 of their 42 games so far this season. Barlow has missed a little more time due to injury, but has started in 29 of the 32 games he’s been available for this year.

Anyone who followed last year’s team — or SixersAdam on Twitter — knows that two-way appearances are limited to just 50 games. Jeff Dowtin Jr. actually ran out of available dates before the last game of last season. Those appearances are even more limited when a team is rostering less than 15 players, which the Sixers currently are.

Teams like the Sixers are limited to just 90 two-way games as long as they have under 15 players on the roster. Those 90 count for all two-ways — in other words, every time Barlow and Walker play in the same game, that counts as two towards the 90.

Tallying up their appearances, plus the 12 games Hunter Sallis was active for, the Sixers are down to just four days remaining. Assuming they both play, that covers the Sixers through the end of their homestand to Jan. 24 against the Knicks. After that Knicks games, the shuffling will have to begin.

The first, most likely move was posited by national reporter Keith Smith, who said that the Sixers could sign someone to a 10-day contract, which would put the 90-game rule on pause for at least a week and a half.

Keep an eye on the Philadelphia 76ers doing something similar with filling their 15th spot with a 10 Day signing.

The Sixers are down to just eight under-15 games remaining after last night. Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker continue to play every game, so that's just four more… https://t.co/NTyp72kORL

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 17, 2026

That doesn’t reset the individual days for Barlow and Walker, both of which are also quickly waning. Heading into these last two games of the homestand Walker only has eight games left while Barlow has 18.

It feels likely Daryl Morey will sign a 10-day to keep Walker and Barlow on two-way salaries as long as possible. At some point though, that 15th roster spot will have to be used to convert one of those two to a full-time deal.

For the Sixers to keep both they’ll have to free up another roster spot somehow. They have plenty of expiring contracts to dump, some of which are hardly in the rotation as it is. Eric Gordon is not really at all, but he only makes the veteran’s minimum. Andre Drummond tends to only play on nights Embiid does not these days, and has a slightly higher salary at $5 million.

Each making over $8 million dollars, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes are both technically options as well, but it’s hard to see any possible return for Oubre being better the production he’s given them when healthy this season. Grimes may be the trickiest to trade. Given that he’s on the qualifying offer, teams potentially acquiring him wouldn’t acquire his Bird rights, making it tricky to re-sign him in the offseason.

There are a number of ways Morey can get creative to solve this, but he’ll have to make this choice soon as the days dwindle. Rearranging things for two players already in the organization won’t headline any “Who won the trade deadline?” articles. Converting Walker and Barlow to full-time roster spots without shuffling up the rotation in any major way is a perfectly fine deadline for the Sixers this year.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...walker-andre-drummond-eric-gordon-daryl-morey

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers announce 2001 reunion game for Jan. 31

The Sixers’ year-long celebration of the 2001 Eastern Conference Champion squad reaches its apex this month. When the team hosts the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, Jan. 31, it’ll be a big ol’ reunion.

The organization announced on Thursday that they will “honor the legendary players and coaches who electrified the city, taking the 76ers to the NBA Finals.“ Additionally, the Sixers say that the evening will be ”packed with powerful tributes — pre-game, in-game and at halftime — honoring the grit, heart and legacy of that squad.“

The Sixers, naturally, will be donning their beloved black throwback jerseys as well.

The 2001 team, between Allen Iverson’s MVP heroics and their upset win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals over the Los Angeles Lakers, leaves them as one of the most beloved in the history of Philadelphia even though they didn’t win the championship outright.

Part of it is the way they played: the feisty Iverson scoring in bunches while their defense swarmed everywhere. Part of it is Iverson’s legacy as a transformative presence in the league both on and off the court. Part of it is, simply, that they’re the only truly great Sixers team of the last 40 years.

Though the Sixers appear far away from that level of contention at the momentum even with Tyrese Maxey’s own superstar ascension and the dominant stretches that Joel Embiid has put together this season, celebrating the 2001 team is a reminder of how great things once were for professional basketball in Philly and how maybe, just maybe, they could be that great again one day.

For those wanting to get in on the festivities, the cheapest tickets on Ticketmaster, as of this writing, are $44.18. That’s honestly a bit better than I imagined it would be for a Saturday with all of this going on. I hope Sixers fans pack the house!

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-news/84597/sixers-announce-2001-reunion-game-for-jan-31

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

No, the Sixers shouldn’t trade VJ Edgecombe for Giannis Antetokounmpo

After a Thursday evening win that screamed, “The Sixers are back!“ I woke up on Friday to see a trade idea thrown out that involves the Milwaukee Bucks making a deal for a certain star-in-the-making rookie…

Bill Simmons, the Podfather himself in the middle of his re-apex, just dropped a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade podcast for The Ringer, going over several hypothetical trades for the two-time MVP. One such move involves the Bucks sending Antetokounmpo to Philly for a package centered on VJ Edgecombe.

Simmons’ proposed deal includes Antetokounmpo and Gary Harris going to Philly while Edgecombe, Paul George and a draft asset go back to the Bucks.

Giannis for V.J. Edgecombe? @BillSimmons is back with fake Giannis trades, and asks @ChrisRyan77 if he'd trade V.J. Edgecombe for the disgruntled star. pic.twitter.com/Yng6aJ0IO5

— The Ringer (@ringer) January 23, 2026

The Ringer’s and Philly’s own Chris Ryan joins Simmons for the conversation and Ryan immediately shoots down the trade idea and for good reason. I couldn’t agree more.

I’m tired of trying to find older co-stars for Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. I lived through the James Harden saga. We are currently living through the Paul George era and while it would be phenomenal for the Sixers to get off his contract, losing Edgecombe in the process (pun not intended) would just be so antithetical to everything that’s made this Sixers season a pleasant surprise and what the direction of this franchise needs to be going forward.

I want to watch Maxey and Edgecombe grow together instead of seeing the Sixers haphazardly throw their chips into the middle of the table for Antetokounmpo even if the East is more wide open than usual this year and Embiid is finally rounding into form. I see a more realistic path for the Sixers to make the NBA Finals in, say, 2028 rather than 2026 with Maxey and Edgecombe in their respective primes. I don’t want to chase something that’s not truly there. I just want to enjoy watching the Sixers play basketball and for the first time in a long time, I’m there.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-antetokounmpo-bucks-vj-edgecombe-paul-george

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Joel Embiid and Paul George both probable Saturday against Knicks

In Thursday’s thrilling overtime win over the Houston Rockets, the Philadelphia 76ers were able to deploy their projected starting lineup (Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, Joel Embiid) for the first time this season. If that performance is what Sixers fans can expect from that group, we’d sure like to see some more of it. Well, it looks like we will have a chance to experience an encore, as the Sixers’ injury report for Saturday’s game against the New York Knicks is pretty clean.

The Sixers have an injury report for tomorrow's game vs. New York:

Joel Embiid – right ankle injury management – PROBABLE

Paul George – left knee injury management – PROBABLE

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) January 23, 2026

If things hold, the Sixers should have the entire roster available to try and take down the Knicks in Philadelphia. Embiid played a season-high 46 minutes in the overtime win, and Paul George logged 37 minutes amidst a bit of foul trouble. Even with the day off Friday, it’s a good sign that both veterans are projected to be good to go for Saturday afternoon after that sort of workload. The Sixers have yet another back-to-back on Monday and Tuesday, so their availability Saturday would be most welcome with each of them presumably sitting out one of those two contests.

Philadelphia currently sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games back of the third-place Knicks. The Sixers already won both of the earlier games this season in New York. We’ll see if they now have all hands on deck in Philadelphia for tomorrow’s rivalry clash, as they look to build some momentum and continuity leading up to the trade deadline in a couple weeks.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...biid-paul-george-probable-new-york-knicks-nba

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

The Sixers finally used their projected starting lineup — with intriguing results

Kelly Oubre, Jr. has a penchant for getting under the opponent’s skin. Whether it’s doing a push-up after he gets knocked to the floor, flexing after an and-one or blowing a kiss after a made three, his flamboyance can irk even the best players in the league.

Just ask Paul George. Before they were teammates, the veteran wings had a few battles. Both long and highly gifted athletes, they were often matched up with one another.

George said when he first signed in Philly, he happened to be working out at the same place at the same time as Oubre. According to George, the two didn’t even say anything — just smiled and shared a hug.

“We’ve had our back-and-forths,” George said. “I knew every time we matched up, I was going to get the best out of him and he was going to get the best out of me. We left it on the court, so now it’s an appreciation.“

Unfortunately, the good vibes didn’t last very long.

George hyperextended his knee in the preseason, starting off an injury-riddled campaign. Along with Joel Embiid’s absence, the Sixers never established any continuity, let alone settled on a starting group. The quartet of Oubre, George, Embiid and Tyrese Maxey played a total of 222 minutes last season.

At media day ahead of the 2025-26 season, George made it clear he was comfortable playing the four, something he was resistant to earlier in his career. Ideally, Oubre would slot in at three. But both Oubre and George have missed significant time with knee issues.

On Thursday, Nick Nurse decided to try new starters with his team fully healthy — the four aforementioned players alongside rookie VJ Edgecombe. Prior to the game against the Houston Rockets, that five-man lineup had played a grand total of four possessions together.

In a 128-122 overtime win over the Rockets, that group led a fourth-quarter comeback and dominated overtime to secure arguably the team’s best victory of the season.

“I think it has very high potential,” Oubre said of that starting lineup. “Any given night, you can throw anybody in position and they’ll step up to the plate, so I think that the versatility is key. The grit and the defensive tenacity is great. … I think that the sky is the limit if we can continue to find that groove and find that rhythm.”

Maxey was able to break out of his mini-slump (though the three-ball still wasn’t there), going for 36 points and dishing out 10 assists. Embiid looks more and more like his dominant self — and had a little extra something for Alperen Sengun — posting a 32-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. On this particular night, it was Oubre who played third banana, dropping 26.

What makes this particular lineup so dynamic offensively is you have five players who can make plays off the dribble and create offense. It’s hard to remember a time the Sixers have had that … ever. Despite the group not sharing the floor much previously, it might’ve been the most crisp execution we’ve seen from the Sixers offensively this season — against a stout defensive team.

“I thought we got better with our communication,” George said. “We got back on the same page early. Everything is starting to get better. We’re starting to improve — talking, knowing what each other likes, spacing, taking turns matching up with different people.”

But it wasn’t just on offense where this group had success. Maxey and Edgecombe continue to terrorize unsuspecting ball-handlers, combining for six steals. They played a huge role in Kevin Durant’s eight turnovers on the night. Embiid had his best rebounding performance of the season and added two blocks, a sign his body is feeling good.

And you can’t say enough about the job Oubre and George did defending Durant and Sengun. George got in early foul trouble, but the Sixers’ wing duo did a sensational job containing that dangerous pick-and-roll combo late in regulation and overtime.

There was one particular possession where Oubre hounded Sengun, repeatedly knocking away entry passes and poking the ball away from the All-Star big man. Though it doesn’t take much, Oubre was clearly fired up. The defensive stand ignited his team and the crowd.

“I just tried to be disruptive,” Oubre said. “It sucks [for them] because they look depleted every time they try to throw it in and it wasn’t completed. It’s just about me trying my best to stop his rhythm from scoring, because once he gets me under the basket, I’m done. I was just trying to make those effort plays to rally the guys behind me to come help if he does get this ball, but I don’t want him to get it. I think my will was better than their way.”

George has seen that movie before.

“Kelly wants to get every stop and make big plays defensively and take matchups and challenge the best player, put his nose literally in it,” George said. “He’s just fearless defensively. On the floor, period, he’s just fearless.”

The Sixers’ season has been full of “maybe, just maybe” type moments. A resume-boosting win with an intriguing starting group — the one that was projected to start the season — is yet another.

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

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers-Knicks: First Half Thread

Game Details​

When: Saturday, January 24, 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...f-thread-philadelphia-new-york-nba-discussion

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Sixers will reportedly bring back Charles Bassey on 10-day deal

An old friend will reportedly make his return to the Sixers.

Charles Bassey, who spent his rookie season in Philly, will return to the team on a 10-day deal, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Philadelphia 76ers are signing big man Charles Bassey to a 10-day contract, sources tell ESPN. Bassey is in his fifth NBA season and has averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds for the NBA G League's Santa Cruz team this year.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 25, 2026

The big man was originally selected by the Sixers out of Western Kentucky in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft. Born in Nigeria, Bassey was considered a big time prospect entering the college ranks, but knee injuries turned him from a possible lottery pick to a second-rounder.

He’s unfortunately dealt with knee issues at the NBA level as well. While spending the last three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Bassey suffered a fractured left patella and a torn ACL in the same leg. The 25-year-old spent time with the Boston Celtics in the NBA Summer League and was with the Atlanta Hawks in camp on an Exhibit 10 deal. He was later waived and then signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.

After that 10-day expired, he signed with the Texas Legends, the G League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, who subsequently traded Bassey — funny enough — to the Delaware Blue Coats. The Blue Coats then traded him to the Santa Cruz Warriors, where Bassey is currently playing.

Bassey has an intriguing skillset. He has great size, length, strength and is still a great athlete. He’s been a strong rebounder and rim protector in his limited NBA time, two things the Sixers could surely use more of in their frontcourt.

But it’s worth noting the biggest thing this trade does — it allows the team to keep using two-way players Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker. When a team leaves its 15th roster spot open, they’re only allowed 80 total two-way games for all of their two-way players. Barlow and Walker (along with seven games from former Sixer Hunter Sallis) hit that number in Saturday’s loss to the New York Knicks. Bassey’s signing buys them more time.

This will allow the Sixers to continue playing Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker on their two way deals.

If signed on Monday, both players could continue playing on their two-ways through February 4, the day before the trade deadline. https://t.co/kbGvjPcCuZ

— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) January 25, 2026

Who knows how much Bassey plays right now, but if the team moves Andre Drummond at the deadline, he wouldn’t be the worst player to have in the fold.

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...edly-bring-back-charles-bassey-on-10-day-deal

 

[Philadelphia 76ers]

Looking at the calls and explanations of the late officiating in Sixers-Knicks

The final minute or so of the Saturday afternoon contest between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks was an absolute cluster that seemingly took 15 minutes real time because of a number of puzzling officiating calls.

After the marathon ending, the Sixers ultimately fell 112-109 hosting the Knicks. Let me get this out of the way: I am not doing this to try to say the officiating caused the loss. The Sixers’ loss was caused by the Sixers. You don’t score go ice cold and score 13 points in an entire period against a tight opponent and expect to come back from that.

Now that that’s established, we can move on to the point of the article. With little time to stop and analyze the sometimes-confusing calls as the game was concluding in real time, now we can look back at individual plays, the calls on the floor and their impact as well as the NBA official’s Last 2 Minute Report final explanations about each.

This is the Sixers’ second time in two games with an interesting L2M report after the officials missed a relatively-obvious goaltending violation right near the end of regulation against the Houston Rockets back on Thursday. The basket, had it been scored, would have given Philadelphia a two-point lead with about three seconds to play. The Sixers ultimately won the contest in extra time, but the L2M report admitted that the no-call for goaltending was incorrect.

Now that the report for Sixers-Knicks is out, let’s go through the more controversial calls from the end of that one.

33.3 seconds to play: Offensive foul called on Jalen Brunson overturned upon challenge review to an away-from-the-play defensive foul on VJ Edgecombe​

L2M from Sixers-Knicks is up! Let's look at some plays.

33.3 sec, away-from-play foul on VJ Edgecombe

L2M: "Edgecombe extends his arms outward and initiates illegal contact with Brunson off-ball, which affects his FOM" that contact "occurs first and prior to any from Brunson." pic.twitter.com/0sH7hgpmZ2

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) January 25, 2026

On the floor: The call here was originally an offensive foul on Jalen Brunson for the contact with VJ Edgecombe. However, the Knicks challenged and, after review, the call was changed. It was determined by officials that Edgecombe’s contact with Brunson preceded Brunson’s hook on the rookie, changing the outcome to an away-from-the-play foul (since the ball had not been inbounded yet) on Edgecombe.

The impact: This was a monumental swing, as it not only meant taking possession away from the Sixers and giving it back to the Knicks, but gave New York a free throw as well. Brunson hit the free throw, extending their lead to four points — a two possession game.

In the L2M report: The report calls the decision made after the review to be a correct call.

“Replay review of the foul called on Brunson (NYK) pursuant to a coach’s challenge was deemed successful. Edgecombe (PHI) extends his arms outward and initiates illegal contact with Brunson (NYK) off-ball, which affects his FOM. The contact from Edgecombe to Brunson occurs first and prior to any from Brunson.”

In short, they agree that the challenge outcome changing the foul from Brunson to Edgecombe was correct by game officials.

9.9 seconds to play: Defensive foul called on Paul George overturned upon challenge review to a clean defensive play with Sixers having imminent possession

2M from Sixers-Knicks is up! part 2

9.9 sec, defensive foul call against Paul George is overturned via challenge

L2M: "George (PHI) maintains verticality and absorbs the contact that occurs during Anunoby's (NYK) layup attempt." L2M says that decision was a correct non-call. pic.twitter.com/qqEzAH2W19

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) January 25, 2026

On the floor: This was originally called a defensive foul on Paul George. Nick Nurse challenged and, after review, the defense by PG was determined to be clean and the Sixers’ had imminent possession (clear possession immediately following the incorrect whistle) by way of Edgecombe catching the rebound.

The impact: Hindsight is always 20/20 of course, but even in real time PG seemed to be pretty damn vertical on this shot contest. If anything, it was certainly more obvious that the Edgecombe/Brunson play. This nearly gave the Knicks free throws to extend their lead back to two possessions.

The call was changed ultimately in the Sixers favor, but at the cost of the team’s second challenge and final timeout as well as the stoppage of play itself halting a Sixers’ possible counter attack when Edgecombe had grabbed the rebound.

In the L2m report: The report called the final decision, the one made after review that George had not committed a foul, was a correct non-call.

“Replay review of the foul called on George (PHI) pursuant to a coach’s challenge was deemed successful. George (PHI) maintains verticality and absorbs the contact that occurs during Anunoby’s (NYK) layup attempt.”

So, the post-challenge decision was deemed correct, meaning the initial call was wrong.

5.8 seconds to play: No defensive foul called with Landry Shamet appearing to be trying to intentionally foul Tyrese Maxey

L2M from Sixers-Knicks is up! part 3

5.8 sec, no foul called on Landry Shamet

L2M says this was a INCORRECT NON-CALL. "Shamet extends his arms forward and initiates illegal contact with Maxey's body in attempt to commit a take foul." Should have been FTs for Tyrese Maxey. pic.twitter.com/iA4PI74Fo6

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) January 25, 2026

(Another thing to get out of the way very quickly: intentional foul or not, I think Maxey’s decision to heave this up and hope for the call was an extremely poor one. Even if you feel that contact, it’s a huge risk to rely on the whistle in that game-defining situation, plus there was enough time to just try to get a better look for the shot.)

On the floor: No foul was called on the floor and game played on, with Maxey’s airball heave landing out of bounds and giving the Knicks possession with time quickly running out.

The impact: This call, or lack thereof, made the difference between Maxey shooting two (if the defensive foul was called on the floor) or three free throws (if the foul was called as during Maxey’s shooting motion) and the Sixers getting zero free throws while losing possession with only a few seconds left to play.

In the L2M report: This was crucially determined to be an incorrect non-call by the game officials in the report. “Shamet (NYK) extends his arms forward and initiates illegal contact with Maxey’s (PHI) body in attempt to commit a take foul.” At the time, the Sixers were already in the bonus. Even if they called it a take foul on the floor, Maxey should have been shooting from the line.

3.0 seconds to play/end of game: No defensive foul called with Jalen Brunson appearing to be trying to intentionally foul Joel Embiid

L2M from Sixers-Knicks part 4

3.0 sec, no foul called on Jalen Brunson

L2M says this was a correct noncall. "There is no clear and conclusive angle" showing "contact is to Embiid's wrist/arm and not to the ball or the part of Embiid's hand that is in contact with the ball" pic.twitter.com/ceOjlLHKnR

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) January 25, 2026

On the floor: No foul was called on the floor as Joel Embiid grabbed the rebound from Brunson’s missed free throw and turned up court. Brunson appeared to possible commit an intentional foul-type grab of tapping the arm and back of Embiid before Embiid threw the ball forward, but the officials did not observe or call a foul on the play. This one, in my opinion, would have been a much closer call than the missed one on Shamet.

The impact: To state the obvious: it ended the game. The Sixers had somewhat of an opportunity, with Joel Embiid coming up with the rebound on Brunson’s missed free throw, leaving the Sixers five seconds down three points. Is it a great opportunity? Maybe not. But an opportunity nonetheless.

With no call on the play, the bounce pass attempt from Embiid to Maxey was intercepted by OJ Anunoby and game clock hit zero.

In the L2M report: The report says this was a correct non-call from the officials. “There is no clear and conclusive angle that confirms Brunson’s (NYK) contact is to Embiid’s (PHI) wrist/arm and not to the ball or the part of Embiid’s hand that is in contact with the ball.”

---

What did you think about the officiating from the last few minutes of the Sixers and Knicks contest? Which calls do you think they got right? Wrong? Are you satisfied by their explanations? Let us know!

Source: https://www.libertyballers.com/76er...-brunson-joel-embiid-tyrese-maxey-officiating