Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes

Category: Sixers/NBA

  • Sixers vs. Lakers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey’s lack of respect, Joel Embiid’s struggles, and more from loss to Lakers

    Sixers vs. Lakers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey’s lack of respect, Joel Embiid’s struggles, and more from loss to Lakers

    Tyrese Maxey needs to keep his cool, but the 76ers point guard’s frustration is justified.

    The Sixers’ three-guard lineup of VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, and Jared McCain is showing improvement and could provide a security blanket when Maxey sits on the sideline.

    Yet, the Sixers must get more out of the center position.

    Those things stood out in the Sixers’ 112-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    No respect for Maxey

    Maxey had another dominant performance, finishing with 28 points while making 5 of 8 three-pointers. His last three pulled the Sixers (13-10) within two points at 110-108 with 7.6 seconds left.

    But Luka Dončić responded with a pair of foul shots before LeBron James stole the inbounds pass on the Sixers’ final possession as the Lakers (17-6) escaped with the four-point victory.

    Jabari Walker is soaking up knowledge from his veteran Sixers teammates

    It was Los Angeles’ first victory in Philadelphia since Dec. 7, 2017.

    Dončić had game highs of 31 points and 11 assists, while James added 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. The four-time MVP scored 12 of his points on 5-for-6 shooting in the fourth quarter.

    In addition to scoring at least 28 points for the 14th time, Maxey finished with seven rebounds and nine assists.

    But you wouldn’t know he is having an All-NBA-caliber season based on the lack of calls he receives from officials. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder routinely gets hammered on his way to the basket. But fouls are rarely called.

    Coach Nick Nurse is surprised by the lack of calls Maxey receives at this stage of his career.

    “I think as much as he’s getting held and pushed and grabbed, and all that stuff, you think there’d be some more,” Nurse said. “As much as he drove it down the lane, you think there’d be some more. But the surprising ones are when [the Lakers] were trying to foul on purpose, but then they let those go.”

    There were a couple of others where the Lakers were trying to stop Maxey in transition without committing a take foul.

    The Sixers are adapting to life without stars, and reigniting their season as a result

    “And [they] whacked him upside the head,” Nurse said, “and he’s got to try to play through it.”

    The frustration that comes with that came to a boiling point on Sunday.

    No foul was called when guard Austin Reaves hacked Maxey on the arm as the Sixer blew by him on the way to the basket. Jaxson Hayes blocked his driving finger roll with 2:53 left in the first quarter.

    A heated Maxey had to be separated from an official after he expressed his disappointment over the no-call. Maxey was called for a technical as a result.

    He downplayed the incident when asked about his frustration following the game.

    “Not frustrated at all,” he said. “I laughed.”

    You got a technical foul for laughing?

    “Nah, I’m just saying, I’m happy, I’m smiling,” Maxey said. “It happens, sometimes.”

    Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, center, reacts to his three-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

    Despite trying to downplay it, Maxey’s frustration was visible. And while his actions were out of character for the fun-loving Sixer, they were understandable considering the frequency with which these no-calls happen.

    And the no-calls didn’t stop, as Reaves got away with grabbing Maxey’s arm or hand several times afterward.

    “You know, referees are human,” he said. “Sometimes, they call it. Sometimes, they don’t. But you got to keep playing through all those calls, man.

    “I ain’t tripping off that. I think the referees do a great job.”

    Solid trio

    There was a time earlier in the season that the non-Maxey minutes were tough to watch. But they’ve gotten better as McCain has regained his rhythm and Edgecombe has healed from a calf injury.

    On Sunday, the Sixers had success with their three-guard lineup of McCain, Edgecombe, and Grimes, with the standout on the bench for the first 5:45 of the second quarter.

    With those three guards leading the way, the Sixers outscored the Lakers, 16-8, before Maxey re-entered the game. Edgecombe scored five of those points, while McCain had seven.

    The Sixers went to the same three-guard lineup at the start of the fourth quarter. But it was just for a limited time as Maxey checked back into the game with 8:35 remaining.

    More needed from centers

    On paper, the Sixers had a big advantage at the center position with 2023 MVP and seven-time All-Star Joel Embiid starting and two-time All-Star Andre Drummond as his backup. They faced a Lakers squad that started Deandre Ayton and had Hayes coming off the bench.

    However, Embiid struggled to make shots. Drummond did the same in the first half. Defensively, they both had a tough time guarding Ayton.

    Embiid finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. However, he missed 17 of his 21 shots, including all six of his three-pointers. Most of Embiid’s points came at the foul line, where he went 8-for-8.

    Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, left, talks with Tyrese Maxey, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

    Embiid loved the looks he got.

    “Every shot felt like it was right there,” said Embiid, who has missed 14 of the Sixers’ 23 games. “I think it all comes down to just getting back into rhythm, playing every day, and it’s hard being in and out. But I got to do it, I think every single day.

    “I like what I got tonight. I just happened to miss them. Maybe next time it’s going to go in.”

    Drummond finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds. He made five of 11 baskets, but he scored only two points on 1-for-4 shooting before intermission.

    Meanwhile, Ayton had 14 points on 7-for-7 shooting to go with 12 rebounds. Hayes put up three points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.

    The Sixers’ big men must play better for the Sixers to have any chance of beating a solid team.

  • Paul George winds back clock with vintage performance against Bucks: ‘I feel like myself again’

    Paul George winds back clock with vintage performance against Bucks: ‘I feel like myself again’

    MILWAUKEE — Paul George approached Tyrese Maxey during the fourth quarter of Friday’s tightening matchup at the Bucks, and told the 76ers’ star point guard, “Don’t worry about it. I’m going to finish this for us.”

    George more than made good on his promise. His output in that final frame — six points, four rebounds, and two assists — helped push the Sixers to a 116-101 victory at Fiserv Forum. And the well-rounded overall performance (20 points, five rebounds, five assists in 29 minutes, 58 seconds) flashed that, following knee surgery and an injury-riddled first season as a Sixer, George might still have shades of the player who became a perennial All-Star and signed a max contract in the summer of 2024.

    “I feel like myself again,” George said from his locker after Friday’s victory. “I believe I’m not done yet. So it was great to kind of [have] everything kind of come back to me and it feel like it was natural. Muscle memory and my rhythm, timing, cadence, flow.”

    Sixers takeaways: Paul George steps up, Tyrese Maxey gets defensive, and more in victory over Bucks

    It was a crucial lift for the Sixers (13-9) on a night when Maxey was limited to a season-low 12 points, two weeks after dropping a career-high 54 on these Bucks. The Sixers also were without former MVP center Joel Embiid, who played in Thursday’s chaotic home victory over the Golden State Warriors but sat out the second night of the back-to-back with left knee injury recovery.

    George, meanwhile, did not play against the Warriors because of his own recovery path. He entered Friday’s fourth quarter with an already-sharp 14 points and three assists.

    The 6-foot-8 wing then began to initiate the Sixers’ offense, a role that typically falls on Maxey. The shift allowed George to be on his “A game,” he said, because of his adept playmaking and smooth shot-making while patiently reacting to the defense.

    Paul George puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) at Fiserv Forum on Friday.

    After multiple correct passing reads yielded missed shots by teammates, George took his defender off the dribble and rose up for a midrange jumper at the 6:18 mark. On the Sixers’ next possession, he nailed another pull-up to put the Sixers up by 14 points. About a minute later, George called for the ball, drew the foul on Kevin Porter Jr., and sank the two free throws.

    While holding off the Bucks’ attempted rally from 26 points down, George also got back in transition to help force a Bobby Portis whiff at the rim with 3:53 to play. He then secured a rebound that set up teammate VJ Edgecombe’s three-pointer to give the Sixers a 108-94 lead with 2:34 remaining.

    “Coach trusted me in that moment,” George said. “And [that was] me being able to respond to the moment.”

    George’s best game of the season was the result of his behind-the-scenes rehab work. That occurred amid outside criticism — “You’re getting old, and you’re washed, and you can’t do it anymore,” George mimicked Friday — that the 35-year-old said he needed to “drown out.”

    VJ Edgecombe might not be a Sixer without Buddy Hield. And the first NBA matchup between Bahamian ‘brothers’ was a thriller

    He also acknowledged the mental challenge of expecting his athleticism and body movements that have been reliable for years and those physical gifts suddenly dissipating. During his disappointing first season as a Sixer, George struggled to burst past defenders while averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 41 games.

    “Outside looking in,” George said, “[fans] see us on the court and they’re like, ‘Yo, why aren’t you doing this?’ It’s just like, ‘My body can’t. I’m trying.’”

    George missed the Sixers’ first 12 games of 2025-26, before playing in seven of the team’s past 10 matchups.

    Following an efficient 14-point outing at the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 28, George said that he and the Sixers’ staff had discovered the ideal way to fire up his left quadriceps muscle to support his knee. He then asked to play more minutes (28:02) in Sunday’s double-overtime home loss to the Atlanta Hawks, saying he feels like “the bird leaving the nest, getting to fly and flap my wings a little bit more.” But two days later, George felt “a little fatigued” while playing 17:43 in Tuesday’s home blowout vs. the Washington Wizards, a sign that these early games essentially are serving as his training camp.

    Sixers coach Nick Nurse reiterated earlier this week that George makes an instant impact as a versatile and communicative defender. His offensive flurries — including scoring the game’s first 11 points in the Nov. 20 overtime win in Milwaukee — also offered some promise. Now, when George drives to his left — when that lead leg must be strong and stable — he said he feels a mental “light popping back on, that I can start to trust it again.”

    Paul George makes a three-point basket against the Washington Wizards at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Dec. 2.

    George also still leans on his vast experience and knowledge of opponents, such as whose jump shot releases take longer and how to attack defensive switches. He has used that expertise to provide vocal mentorship to younger teammates like second-year center Adem Bona, who in Tuesday’s game against Washington missed a pass from George after sealing his defender.

    “I’m throwing that over the top, where he can just catch it and finish at the basket,” George said then. “Might be a little different. He’s not used to it. But just letting him know, ‘I see you, and I’m looking for that.’”

    It was poetic that, to help ignite George’s excellent fourth quarter, he lofted that style of pass to a cutting Bona for a dunk. And once George’s performance on both ends had all but officially propelled the Sixers double-digit victory, George and Maxey linked for their elaborate handshake as the veteran checked out for the final time.

    George had made good on his promise to his point guard. And he looked like vintage PG.

    “That’s what he’s here for,” Maxey said.

  • The narrative around A.J. Brown, Tyrese Maxey vs. Allen Iverson, and other thoughts …

    The narrative around A.J. Brown, Tyrese Maxey vs. Allen Iverson, and other thoughts …

    First and final thoughts …

    It has been a few weeks since A.J. Brown has been a major topic of consternation and conversation around the Eagles. The easy explanation for the relative quiet is that Brown hasn’t posted anything on social media lately that would get people to raise their eyebrows. The even easier explanation — and maybe so easy that it’s a cheap shot against Brown — is that he caught 18 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns against the Bears and the Cowboys, and even though the Eagles lost both of those games, Brown must be content that he’s finally getting his numbers again.

    That narrative — that Brown is only about Brown, and his selfishness damages the Eagles — has never held up under much scrutiny. Should he stay off social media more? Of course he should. But they have a 53-18 record (in regular-season and postseason games), have won a Super Bowl, and reached another since acquiring him. At least 29 other teams in the NFL would sign up for that level of damage.

    An alternate history of 2023, and why the Eagles are preaching the right message

    What’s more, there’s nothing inherently wrong with Brown wanting the ball more in the name of benefiting himself and benefiting the Eagles. The two goals aren’t mutually exclusive, and it’s understandable that Brown would raise a stink with Jalen Hurts, Kevin Patullo, or both if he didn’t believe he was being used properly or frequently enough.

    Think of it like this: Brown is to the Eagles’ offense as an outstanding reporter or writer is to a news organization, and Patullo and Hurts are his editors. If the editors relegated that reporter to the least important and relevant assignments — when he has produced and is capable of producing well-read, Pulitzer-caliber journalism — he would be within his rights to tell them, Hey, you aren’t maximizing my skills, and it’s hurting the whole news operation, too.

    Would that make him selfish? Maybe. Would it make him self-interested? Yeah. Would it make him right? Absolutely.

    Maybe tap the brakes on the Trevor Zegras anointment?

    Have you forgotten Andrew MacDonald?

    Trevor Zegras has been terrific so far, but before anyone starts thinking about making him a Flyer for life, can he get through half a season here first?

    Kyle and the cash register

    The very simple reason to be optimistic that the Phillies will re-sign Kyle Schwarber comes down to three words.

    Butts in seats.

    Yes, Schwarber has improved as a hitter over the last two years, putting the ball in play more often and raising his batting average without sacrificing any of his power. Yes, he’s an outstanding clubhouse leader. And yes, his presence is necessary if the Phillies are to get over their October bugaboos, get back to the World Series, and win it. Those factors make him vital to the franchise.

    Winter meetings preview: The outlook for Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, a potential trade, and more

    But a baseball season, despite the attention and excitement that the playoffs generate, is not the playoffs alone. The 162-game march to the postseason matters too. It matters a lot. And Schwarber has overtaken Bryce Harper as the player on the Phillies roster whose at-bats are true can’t-miss theater. If you’re at Citizens Bank Park on a chilly night in early May, waiting to get your hot dog and beer, the chance to see Schwarber blast one 450 feet is probably one of the reasons you’re at the ballpark in the first place. And if he comes up and you’re still waiting, you might just hop out of that long line to make sure you don’t miss one of his lighting bolts. He’s the guy who makes you stop and watch.

    Sports is still first and foremost an entertainment product, and Schwarber provides more entertainment night to night than any other Phillies player. John Middleton isn’t likely to let someone steal such an asset away, for any price. He’d be a fool if he did.

    Allen Iverson was a 40-plus-minute man before the term “load management” entered the NBA vernacular.

    Maxey and A.I. as iron men

    Ahead of the 76ers’ matchup in Milwaukee against the Bucks on Friday night, Tyrese Maxey was leading the NBA in minutes played per game. His average: 40.0.

    All kudos to Maxey for bringing it every night for as long as he does. But just for some perspective, it’s worth noting that for a 10-year period, from the 1998-99 season through the 2007-08 season, Allen Iverson never averaged fewer than 40.8 minutes. And over his six seasons from 2001 through 2007, he averaged 42.5 minutes and led the league in minutes five times. When the man said he played every game like it was his last, he meant it.

  • Sixers takeaways: Paul George steps up, Tyrese Maxey gets defensive, and more in victory over Bucks

    Sixers takeaways: Paul George steps up, Tyrese Maxey gets defensive, and more in victory over Bucks

    With Paul George leading the way, the 76ers showed they can win on nights Tyrese Maxey struggles offensively.

    On the flip side, it’s time to stop being critical of Maxey’s defense.

    And Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow might be the NBA’s best two-way players.

    Those things stood out in Friday’s 116-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.

    Taking up Maxey’s offensive slack

    Maxey’s streak of scoring at least 20 points ended with 21 games. The early-season MVP candidate had a season-low 12 points on 5-for-14 — including missing all three of his three-pointers — along with finishing with four rebounds, four assists, a team-high four steals, and one block.

    Maxey’s scoring was a significant drop off from his career-high 54 points against the Bucks in the Sixers’ 123-114 overtime victory in Milwaukee on Nov. 20.

    Big night from Paul George, Sixers bench players headline 116-101 win over Bucks

    This time, Milwaukee (10-14) made a conscious effort to get the ball out of Maxey’s hand. But that tactic led to other Sixers stepping up and contributing.

    Paul George hit several clutch shots en route to finishing with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. With the Bucks mounting a comeback, the 6-foot-8 forward hit two straight jumpers to give the Sixers (13-9) a 101-87 lead with 5 minutes, 51 seconds remaining. Then he grabbed a huge defensive rebound to ward off another comeback attempt with 2:52 to play. George scored six points and four rebounds in the fourth quarter.

    George took a lot of the pressure off Maxey while logging a season-high 29 minutes, 58 seconds. He brought the basketball up the court and initiated the offense. His performance had to be refreshing for the Sixers coaching staff to see.

    Sixers forward Paul George puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) in the first half at Fiserv Forum.

    George missed Thursday’s 99-98 victory over the Golden State Warriors due to left knee injury recovery. And Friday’s matchup was just his seventh game of the season.

    “I just wanted to come out and get us on a good note,” George told NBC Sports Philadelphia following the game. “That was just my mindset. My body is starting to shape back. I’m blessed that I’m healthy, and I’m just trying to stack games.”

    George actually sat Maxey down in the fourth quarter to tell him not to worry. He said that he would finish things out for the Sixers.

    “That’s what he’s here for,” Maxey told the media. “You know what I mean? And we appreciate Paul.”

    Reserves Quentin Grimes (a team-high 22 points on six three-pointers), Adem Bona (10 points), and Walker (a season-high 18 points) also stepped up. The Sixers also led, 61-41, in bench points to help fill the gap.

    Maxey’s defense

    Not too long ago, Maxey was considered a defensive liability. That’s why there was a lot of excitement when the Sixers selected VJ Edgecombe third in June’s NBA draft. That thought was that Edgecombe or Grimes could provide a defensive presence while starting alongside Maxey in the backcourt.

    But if we learned one thing recently, Maxey is quieting his critics.

    On Thursday, the point guard blocked former Sixer De’Anthony Melton’s layup right before the final buzzer to preserve Thursday’s victory.

    Then, on Friday, Maxey finished with four steals for the third time this season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder put his defensive imprint on the game early, recording three steals in the first quarter. Then he blocked AJ Green’s three-pointer late in the second quarter.

    This comes after Maxey averaged 3.0 steals and one block in his previous two games. He’s averaged 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks through his first 21 games.

    Milwaukee Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma (18) controls the ball as he drives to the basket between Philadelphia 76ers’ Dominick Barlow, left, and Adem Bona during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

    Two-way stars

    As fourth-year players, Barlow and Walkers aren’t your typical players on two-way contracts. Walker actually signed a multi-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers after being selected by them with the 59th pick of the 2022 draft.

    Meanwhile, Barlow went undrafted in 2022 but had his two-way contracts with the San Antonio Spurs (2023-24) and the Atlanta Hawks (2024-25) converted to standard deals the past two seasons.

    Yet, they both have been huge bargains after signing two-way deals with the Sixers in July. So far, Walker has averaged 4.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in his first 20 games. Meanwhile, Barlow took averages of 8.1 points and 5.8 rebounds into the game.

    Barlow made his 10th start of the season at power forward Friday night. The 6-9, 215-pounder had a rough shooting night, missing five of six shots. However, he finished with six points, four rebounds, and a steal. Meanwhile, Walker gave the Sixers a huge lift, scoring 16 points while making 4 of 6 three-pointers before intermission. Walker made his first four threes.

    Milwaukee Bucks’ Kevin Porter Jr. (7) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers’ Jabari Walker, right, Jared McCain (20), and Adem Bona during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

    The 6-7, 237-pounder cooled in the second half, scoring two points while missing two three-pointers. But his four three-pointers were a season high.

    “He was shooting like he was in Camden,” Maxey said of Walker being a solid shooter at practice.

    Maxey added, “I just want him to shoot it when he’s open. If he’s open, shoot it. That’s what he can do. he’s really good at that. Corner threes, wing threes. I think that would be a good shot for him.”

  • Big night from Paul George, Sixers bench players headline 116-101 win over Bucks

    Big night from Paul George, Sixers bench players headline 116-101 win over Bucks

    MILWAUKEE — Quentin Grimes scored 22 points to lead a productive performance from Philadelphia’s bench as the 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116-101 on Friday night.

    Paul George added 20 points and Jabari Walker had a season-high 18 off the bench as the 76ers won for a second straight night after beating the Golden State Warriors 99-98 on Thursday.

    Philadelphia’s reserves scored 61 points to make up for the fact Milwaukee limited Tyrese Maxey to a season-low 12 points.

    Neither team had its former league MVP on the floor.

    Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo was out after straining his right calf in the first few minutes of a 113-109 victory over Detroit on Wednesday. With the 76ers playing for a second straight night, Philadelphia rested Joel Embiid.

    Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before Friday’s game that he anticipates Antetokounmpo will miss about four weeks.

    Milwaukee’s AJ Green left with a bruised shoulder in the second quarter.

    Bobby Portis scored 22 points, Kevin Porter Jr. 20 and Myles Turner 19 for the Bucks.

    It was tied until the 76ers began a 15-2 run that started about seven minutes into the game and put Philadelphia ahead 28-15. Jared McCain sank a pair of 3-pointers during that spurt.

    Philadelphia stayed ahead the rest of the way and led by as many as 26 in the second quarter.

    Milwaukee got the margin down to single digits for the first time since the first quarter when Portis hit a corner 3-pointer to cut Philadelphia’s lead to 103-94 with 4:16 left.

    After Ryan Rollins got a steal on Philadelphia’s ensuing possession, the ball went back to Portis, who drove to the basket but couldn’t finish. Maxey made a basket with 3:45 remaining, and the 76ers maintained a double-figure edge the rest of the way.

    Up next

    76ers: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

    Bucks: At Detroit on Saturday night.

    ___

    AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

  • VJ Edgecombe might not be a Sixer without Buddy Hield. And the first NBA matchup between Bahamian ‘brothers’ was a thriller

    VJ Edgecombe might not be a Sixer without Buddy Hield. And the first NBA matchup between Bahamian ‘brothers’ was a thriller

    Inside the 76ers’ celebratory postgame locker room late Thursday, VJ Edgecombe received a phone call from Buddy Hield.

    That would not normally occur between two players who had just faced off in a wild thriller. But it is not hyperbole to conclude that Edgecombe may never have made his game-winning plays against the Golden State Warriors — a steal, then a go-ahead putback in the final 8.2 seconds of a night that swung from Sixers blowout, to disastrous collapse, to chaotic 99-98 victory — without attending Hield’s basketball camps in their native Bahamas as a teenager.

    V.J. Edgecombe’s game-winning shot, Tyrese Maxey’s game-saving block helps Sixers beat Warriors, 99-98

    Thursday’s crazy finish capped the first night that Hield, a respected 10-year sharpshooter, and Edgecombe, an electric two-way rookie, shared the floor as NBA peers. Edgecombe finished with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals; Hield with 14 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. And as the postgame hubbub continued to swirl around them, Edgecombe and Hield met at center court to exchange jerseys.

    “I love Buddy with all my heart,” Edgecombe later told The Inquirer. “ … He always had faith in me, and always was teaching me little points about the game.”

    Good friends VJ Edgecombe of the Sixers and Buddy Hield of the Warriors play against each other on Thursday.

    This Sixers-Warriors matchup was coincidentally full of reunions. Hield played 32 games for the Sixers after being acquired at the 2024 trade deadline. Tyrese Maxey’s game-saving block after Edgecombe’s bucket came against former teammate De’Anthony Melton, who spent a couple hours at Maxey’s home Wednesday to catch up as friends before making his season debut following knee surgery. Seth Curry and Al Horford are also former Sixers, and received drastically different receptions from the home crowd. So is Jimmy Butler, who sat out Thursday’s game with a knee injury.

    But none of those players’ ties boast the roots of Edgecombe and Hield, who both described their relationship as little brother-big brother.

    Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey is exceptional, Joel Embiid must play better, and more from win over Warriors

    Edgecombe first attended Hield’s camp as a 13-year-old, aka the “smallest kid there” among a group of mostly high school juniors and seniors. But Hield immediately noticed Edgecombe’s skill and eagerness to be good. Then, Edgecombe hit a growth spurt and added muscle to his frame.

    “The next year, I see him on the rim dunking on people,” Hield recalled to The Inquirer before Thursday’s game. “I was like, ‘Oh, [expletive]. He’s going to be really good.’”

    Throughout the years, Hield kept in touch with Edgecombe to “[make] sure I was always good,” the rookie said. Hield would emphasize staying confident and working hard.

    Then, Edgecombe and Hield became Bahamas teammates for the 2024 Olympics Qualifiers. On a roster that also included fellow Sixer Eric Gordon and Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton, Edgecombe provided “an aggressive downhill energy that we didn’t have,” Hield said. The team would allow a pre-college Edgecombe to run pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll, trusting that he would either draw a foul while attacking the basket or kick out to an open Hield at the three-point arc.

    Golden State’s Buddy Hield (left) and the Sixers’ VJ Edgecombe exchanged jerseys after the Warriors played the Sixers on Thursday night.

    Edgecombe’s performance in that high-pressure environment, while playing against grown men, helped ignite his ascension to coveted NBA Draft prospect. Then came his successful season at Baylor, an impressive pre-draft process, and becoming the Sixers’ pick at No. 3 overall.

    “I was like, ‘Man, I watched this kid grow up,’” Hield said. “That’s kind of dope, you know what I mean?”

    Through the first quarter of the regular season, Edgecombe has been one of the league’s top rookies.

    He scored 34 points in a historic NBA debut. He has been an impact player on both ends of the floor for a 12-9 Sixers team that is now guard-heavy and stressing a fast-paced style. He regularly ignites the crowd with his high-flying athleticism. He entered Thursday averaging 14.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in 17 games, before some recent limitations due to a calf issue.

    Before Thursday’s matchup, a grinning Hield vowed he would “go at [Edgecombe] and test that water.” But other than a 27-second stretch to close the first quarter, they were never on the floor at the same time until that wild final frame. They approached each other when they came back to the court following the quarter break. Edgecombe trash-talked Hield’s “fake defense,” before playfully shoving him to create space to receive the inbound pass.

    And though Edgecombe struggled for much of Thursday’s game, coach Nick Nurse put the rookie back in for crunch time. Edgecombe has already earned the Sixers’ trust with his knack for clutch plays.

    So while preparing for a defensive possession with his team trailing, 98-97, with 10.1 seconds remaining, Edgecombe knew the Warriors were out of timeouts. He tried to read Pat Spencer’s eyes, because “people tend to telegraph their passes a lot.”

    VJ Edgecombe did not have the best game of his rookie season against Buddy Hield (left) and the Warriors, but continued to make a substantial impact.

    “He had to throw the ball somewhere,” Edgecombe said. “Everyone was just in that one little spot, and I just dove on the ball, to be honest.”

    That gave the Sixers an opportunity for a final-possession shot, with Edgecombe making the inbound pass. His plan was to “give the ball to Tyrese, and get out of the way.” But when Maxey’s fadeaway jumper was tipped by Melton and began to fall well short of the rim, Edgecombe darted in to secure the putback.

    Then Edgecombe sprinted the opposite direction as Melton attempted his own breakaway game-winner, and flexed after Maxey swatted the ball away.

    “It’s what he does,” Maxey said of Edgecombe. “ … Whatever it takes for us to win the game, I know he’s going to make a play.”

    Hield, meanwhile, had already entered the day proud that Edgecombe had become the latest Bahamian who, by making the NBA, could take care of his family and bring joy to his community and home country.

    But after that wild finish — which capped the first time Edgecombe and Hield shared the floor as NBA peers — Hield needed to call his little brother.

    “It brings more life to the youth, to uplift them,” Hield said of Edgecombe’s success. “For them to be like, ‘Yo, VJ did it. I can do it, too.’ They’re trying to write their stories, too.

    “So I just hope he keeps on inspiring young kids, like I did for him.”

  • The Big Picture: Flyers bounce back, Eagles fall again, Joel Embiid makes moves, and the week’s best sports photos

    The Big Picture: Flyers bounce back, Eagles fall again, Joel Embiid makes moves, and the week’s best sports photos

    Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick the best Philly sports images from the last seven days. This week, we’ve got Trevor Zegras and the Flyers taking some hits, Nick Sirianni and the Eagles getting dealt a Black Friday loss, and Joel Embiid making moves — both on and off the court. …

    Flyers forward Trevor Zegras lays on the ice after being boarded by Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin in the second period. Zegras scored one of the Flyers’ five goals in Thursday’s win over the Sabres.
    Trevor Zegras has fit in seamlessly and is exceeding expectations with the Flyers. What will it cost to keep him long-term?
    Flyers right wing Bobby Brink gets hit by the puck as he tries to settle in behind Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and set a screen on goaltender Tristan Jarry. The 5-1 loss on Monday ended the team’s three-game winning streak.
    Rick Tocchet jumbles up his forward lines in the wake of Tyson Foerster’s injury
    Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts as he walks off the field after his team’s Black Friday loss to the Chicago Bears. The 24-15 loss was the Eagles’ second straight and their fourth in their last eight games.
    An alternate history of 2023, and why the Eagles are preaching the right message | David Murphy
    A.J. Brown had his best statistical game of the season against the Bears, and has three touchdowns in the Eagles’ last two games — but the Birds are 0-2 in those games.
    Numbers and trends that could impact Monday’s Eagles-Chargers game in Los Angeles
    The Eagles allowed 281 rushing yards against Chicago, their ninth-highest total in team history.
    With Jalen Carter out, the Eagles’ defense faces an ‘accountability’ test at a critical juncture
    First-year offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has been the target of much of the criticism around the Eagles, with some crossing the line and vandalizing his N.J. home.
    Kevin Patullo still loves Eagles fans and Philly as he endures a season of hate | Marcus Hayes
    Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has thrown for over 500 combined yards in the last two games, both losses for the Birds.
    Jalen Hurts is at the root of the Eagles’ offensive problems, but that doesn’t excuse ‘Siritullo’
    Sunday’s double overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks was the first time all season that Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey shared the floor.
    Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George finally shared the floor. And the Sixers have a lot of work to do.
    Joel Embiid drives to the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss.
    How do Joel Embiid’s new Skechers shoes compare to other Philly athletes’ signature kicks?
    Joel Embiid signs autographs for Quentin Zheng, 10, left, and Mason Zheng, 9, center, during a release event for the Sixers center’s first signature shoe from Skechers, the SKX JE1, at Lapstone & Hammer on Wednesday.
    Joel Embiid’s new Skechers, the brand’s first signature basketball shoe, have dropped: ‘It means a lot’
  • Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey rises again, Joel Embiid has to get better, and more from win over Warriors

    Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey rises again, Joel Embiid has to get better, and more from win over Warriors

    Tyrese Maxey showed, once again, that he’s super talented.

    As good as Maxey is playing, Joel Embiid has to get better to lead the 76ers if they expect to win an NBA championship.

    The Sixers need to do a better job of holding leads. But they’re fortunate to have VJ Edgecombe.

    V.J. Edgecombe’s game-winning shot, Tyrese Maxey’s game-saving block helps Sixers beat Warriors, 99-98

    On Thursday, they beat a Golden State Warriors team with a huge Sixers presence.

    Those things stood out in their 99-98 victory at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Maxey’s super talented

    Displaying elite speed and quickness, Maxey is the type of player league executives drool over in today’s NBA.

    He puts pressure on the defense and gets in the paint whenever he wants. And on Thursday, the 6-foot-2 point guard blocked De’Anthony Melton’s layup attempt at the buzzer to enable the Sixers (12-9) to escape with a one-point victory.

    “He had a clean layup, man,” Edgecombe said of Melton. “[Tyrese] probably ran a 4.2 [second 40-yard dash] or something, and ran him down. So credit Tyrese, and he blocked it, by the way, he blocked it.

    “So he’s probably the best shot-blocking guard under 6-4.”

    Said Maxey: “I just ran back and wanted to make a play and help us win that game. VJ scored it, so I just tried to get back and make a play on the ball.”

    That came after Edgecombe grabbed the offensive rebound and scored on a putback with 0.9 seconds left after Melton blocked Maxey’s shot.

    Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 35 points.

    Though his shot was blocked, Maxey will be great at making contested shots in the postseason if the Sixers get there.

    That’s when opposing teams will have the Sixers thoroughly scouted and know precisely what they’re going to run. But when you desperately need someone to produce in late shot-clock situations, Maxey is capable of stepping up.

    Against the Warriors (11-12), Maxey finished with a game-high 35 points while making 4 of 10 three-pointers. He also finished with three rebounds, two assists, and the block in 39 minutes, 40 seconds.

    He ranks second in the league with nine games of at least 35 points, trailing the Lakers’ Luka Dončić, who has 10 such games.

    Maxey is also third in the league in scoring (32.6 points per game), trailing the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.8) and Dončić (35.3).

    Sixers’ Kelly Oubre is ‘trying to stay above water’ while sidelined with a ligament sprain in his left knee

    “Fun to watch,” Embiid said of Maxey. “I was just telling him, and I told him the last couple of years when I was on that scoring run, ‘When you get in that moment, it just feels like the game slows down. It just becomes easy.’

    “That’s what it is right now every single time he steps on the floor. … He’s in such a good rhythm making shots, getting to his spots, not rushing. I think that’s the biggest key.”

    Embiid must improve

    If Embiid doesn’t get better, this whole thing is going down.

    That’s not a knock on Maxey or Paul George. Maxey has established himself as an All-NBA caliber player and hasn’t yet reached his ceiling. But right now, he’s not the most essential piece to an NBA championship puzzle. It has to be Embiid’s team. If it’s not, they’re in trouble.

    Embiid finished with 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting — including missing all six of his three-pointers. He also had six rebounds, three assists, three turnovers, and one block in 25:13 minutes. He looked fatigued during a poor performance.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid finished with 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting against Golden State.

    The Sixers kept saying Embiid would get healthier. But it became apparent at the start of the season that the Sixers would be a team incapable of making a deep postseason run without him rolling to the basket. Yet, we’re in December, and the 7-2, 280-pounder is still positioned outside the three-point line.

    Could that be a sign that his knees aren’t getting better?

    If his knees don’t improve, it’s hard to imagine the Sixers advancing beyond the first round of the postseason.

    A blown lead

    The Sixers had a 24-point lead with 8:06 left in the third quarter. At that time, it appeared that coach Nick Nurse would rest his starters in the fourth quarter ahead of Friday’s road game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

    But the Warriors chipped away at the Sixers’ lead before taking a 93-92 advantage on Gui Santos’ basket with 2:39 to play. With the Sixers down 98-97 with 40.9 seconds left, Adem Bona missed a pair of foul shots.

    Joel Embiid’s new Skechers, the brand’s first signature basketball shoe, have dropped: ‘It means a lot’

    They were fortunate to have Edgecombe step up down the stretch, followed by Maxey blocking Melton’s shot.

    Edgecombe finished with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a game-high three steals. In addition to scoring the game-winning basket, the third pick in June’s draft tallied two of his steals in the fourth quarter.

    Edgecombe’s final steal came on Pat Spencer’s pass with 8.2 seconds left to set up the Sixers’ final possession.

    “He just does a lot of things that, like, we know he can score, we know he can pass, but he does things that don’t show up in a box score all the time,” Maxey said. “He goes out there and plays hard. He’ll get the extra rebound. He’ll tip the ball to somebody, or he’ll get the deflection.

    “We appreciate him because he does those things. And we know who he is as a person and as a basketball player. So he’s going to keep doing that and keep working on those things, and we appreciate him.”

    Former Sixer Buddy Hield (left) and VJ Edgecombe meet after the game. Both players were born in the Bahamas.

    Sixers West

    Melton, who scored 14 points Thursday in his season debut, is one of five Warriors who have played for the Sixers during their career.

    Melton played in Philly from 2022-24. He initially signed with Golden State on July 8, 2024, following his tenure with the Sixers. The shooting guard suffered a season-ending partially torn ACL in his left knee on Nov. 12, 2024. After having surgery on Dec. 4, 2024, Melton was traded to the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 15. But he re-signed with the Warriors on Oct. 1.

    Jimmy Butler (2018-19), Al Horford (2019-20), Seth Curry (2020-21 and until the trade deadline of 2021-22), and Buddy Hield (after the trade deadline of 2023-24) also played for the Sixers.

    Melton appeared in six games — two starts — with the Warriors last season, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in 20.2 minutes before suffering his injury against the Dallas Mavericks.

    “I’m just happy to see him out there, dude,” Maxey said of his close friend. “He was at my house two or three hours yesterday, just chopping it up, talking about life. I’m happy to see him out there. He’s smiling.

    “I told him I’ll give him one jump shot, because he was struggling early. I gave him one middy in the third. But I’m just happy he was out there. It was good to see him. I told him he can’t guard me. So it’s all good.”

    Butler had the best Sixers stint among the group. He averaged 18.2 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in 55 games in Philly. The 2018-19 team, which featured Butler, Tobias Harris, Embiid, JJ Redick, and Ben Simmons in the starting lineup, was the best Sixers team since the start of The Process.

    Butler, a six-time All-Star, missed Thursday’s game with left knee soreness after exiting Tuesday’s game against the Thunder.

  • V.J. Edgecombe’s game-winning shot, Tyrese Maxey’s game-saving block helps Sixers beat Warriors, 99-98

    V.J. Edgecombe’s game-winning shot, Tyrese Maxey’s game-saving block helps Sixers beat Warriors, 99-98

    Rookie VJ Edgecombe made the go-ahead follow shot with 0.9 seconds left, Tyrese Maxey raced back for a game-saving blocked shot and the 76ers beat the short-handed Golden State Warriors 99-98 on Thursday night.

    Maxey scored 35 points but missed a jumper with the Sixers trailing by one. Edgecombe tipped it in, but the Warriors quickly fired an inbounds pass to De’Anthony Melton, who had broke downcourt. Maxey got back to block the shot off the backboard just before time expired.

    Joel Embiid had 12 points in his return to the 76ers lineup.

    Pat Spencer scored 16 points for the Warriors, who erased a 24-point deficit despite playing with their two leading scorers, Stephen Curry (left quad contusion) and Jimmy Butler (left knee soreness), then losing Draymond Green to an injured right foot late in the second quarter.

    Sixers’ Joel Embiid (left), Tyrese Maxey and Adem Bona celebrate after they beat the Warriors by one.

    Maxey’s three-pointer made it 67-43 with 8 minutes, 6 seconds left in the third quarter. But the Warriors used a 15-0 run early in the fourth quarter to get back in the contest, then had a late lead before Edgecome stole an inbounds pass with 8.2 seconds to play.

    Paul George (left knee injury recovery) was out for the Sixers, who play the second game of a back-to-back on Friday night in Milwaukee (8 p.m., NBCSP).

    Curry didn’t even make the trip to Philadelphia, missing his third in a row and seventh game this season. Butler couldn’t play after getting injured in the Warriors’ 124-112 home loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Golden State did get some good news on the injury front with the return of Melton, who had 14 points in his season debut while coming back from a torn ACL.

  • Sixers’ Kelly Oubre is ‘trying to stay above water’ while sidelined with a ligament sprain in his left knee

    Sixers’ Kelly Oubre is ‘trying to stay above water’ while sidelined with a ligament sprain in his left knee

    Kelly Oubre Jr. missed his ninth straight game with a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his left knee on Thursday when the 76ers faced the Golden Warriors at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Before the game, the swingman was transparent when asked how difficult it’s been to watch from the sideline.

    ”It sucks,” Oubre said. “Listen, man, I’m trying to stay above water, keep my head about it. Trying to fight the depression and all that stuff that comes with not being able to do your job and fulfill your purpose. So it’s a different challenge, and I’m up for the challenge, and I think the reward at the other side will be great just because I’m trying to take it day by day.”

    Paul George will miss Sixers’ game vs. Warriors

    The 6-foot-8, 203-pounder was recently evaluated and is progressing well. He’ll be re-evaluated early next week.

    Since his injury, Oubre has been doing upper-body work in the weight room. He has leaned on the Sixers’ medical team to tell him what he can and can’t do during his rehabilitation process.

    Oubre said he’s trying not to get too high or too low during what has been a difficult time for him.

    “I want to be out there with my guys,” he said. “I want to help each and every one of them just develop. I want to help us win, and being on the sideline, I can’t really do so. I’m taking it day by day and trying to do everything I possibly can to get back.”

    Sixers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) averaged 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 12 games.

    Oubre suffered the injury late in the second quarter of the Sixers’ 114-105 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 14 at Little Caesars Arena. He remained in the game for the rest of the half, but didn’t play after intermission.

    “I just kind of hyperextended my knee,” Oubre said. “I did it in the first game against Boston, as well. But that wasn’t obviously as bad. I did the same thing again. But this time, I just wasn’t so lucky.”

    Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George finally shared the floor. And the Sixers have a lot of work to do.

    Oubre, in his 11th season, got off to a strong start.

    He averaged 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 12 games. Oubre also did a solid job of guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player. His best performance of the season came against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 2.

    Sixers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. scored a season-high 29 points to go with three rebounds, one steal, and one block against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 2.

    Oubre scored a season-high 29 points to go with three rebounds, one steal, and one block. His 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting set a career high for points scored in the opening frame. He added a second-quarter basket to set a career high for points in a half at 24.

    “Getting better each and every day,” Oubre said of his rehabilitation. “It’s a slow process, of course. Just not playing with Mother Nature and just allowing my body to heal and take the time to do the things I need to do in order to strengthen the muscle. So every day is a new challenge. But it’s getting better, and it’s going well.”