By: Kylan Watson
After falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Memphis Grizzlies in their final game of 2025. Both teams were desperate for a victory in this game, and they played like it as the game went to overtime, and thanks to a game winning three-point dagger from VJ Edgecombe Philly beat them 139-136 to end their three-game losing streak.
The Sixers were able to get Joel Embiid back for this game and had their “Big Three” healthy enough to play in their fifth game of the season together. This was the best game that the three have played together all season, Tyrese Maxey (34 points and had 11 assists in this contest), Joel Embiid (34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds) and Paul George (17 points) combined for 85 of Philly’s 139 points.
Maxey and Embiid’s two-man game was a pivotal part of the Sixers offense in this game and that created multiple high-percentage scoring opportunities for their teammates which they were able to cash in on when they needed it most. They are two of the most dynamic players in the association and Memphis did not have an answer for either one of them in this contest. This was the best game that the two franchise players have played together all season, and if they can continue to improve their chemistry then the Sixers will contend for a playoff spot in the loaded Eastern Conference.
Embiid and Maxey will need to figure out how to continue to effect a contest when the other has it working. That will come with more time on the floor together and if that can happen without breaking team chemistry that would be a huge development for the Sixers this season.
Despite the offensive explosion from Maxey, Embiid, and George, the Grizzlies were able to make a comeback in this contest thanks to Ja Morant (40 points) and Cedric Coward (28 points). They combined for 68 of Memphis’ 136 points and Philly’s defenders could not stop them throughout this game. Especially Morant who went on a tear in the fourth quarter to send this game into overtime, he made their defenders look like they were standing still or were cones for an offensive drill at practice. As he weaved his way around them to put points on the board in this contest. The Sixers were able to send enough bodies at him to slow him down and that provided a window for them to steal this game.
The Sixers were able to use the Maxey and Embiid two-man game to create a wide-open top of the key three-pointer for Edgecombe who hit the shot like a veteran shooter. He scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to stabilize their offense and continues to improve as a three-pointer shooter (Made 5/10 three-pointers in this game). Edgecombe’s continued improvement as a three-point shooter has added another dimension to the Sixers offense and he is becoming a difference maker on both ends of the court for Philly.
With performances like this Edgecombe is really cementing himself as one of the top rookies in this class and is making a case for their being a “Big Four” in Philadelphia. The franchise is in great hands as he continues to develop as a superstar level talent in his rookie season.
The Sixers will now prepare to face the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night for the second time in two weeks. Philly will need to limit their turnovers, stay connected to their man to limit Dallas’ athleticism, and cash in on the high-percentage scoring opportunities created by their ball movement. Implementing these things into their game plan on Thursday night will put them in great shape to win their 18th game of the season and extend their win streak to two games.
