By: Kylan Watson
After beating the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Charlotte Hornets for the final time this season. This game felt like a playoff game as both teams traded the lead throughout the final minutes of the second half, and thanks to a clutch free throw and three-pointer from Paul George. Philly was able to pull off the comeback and beat the Hornets 118-114.
For the first time since MLK Day the Sixers had every player on the roster available to play in a contest. Joel Embiid (29 points and had 2 blocks in this contest), Tyrese Maxey (26 points and had 8 assists in this game), and Paul George (26 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and made 4/11 three-pointers in this game) made an immediate impact in this game. They combined for 81 of the Sixers 118 points and each player made multiple pivotal plays in the fourth quarter to help Philly pull this game out. George was the MVP of tonight’s game he broke up multiple offensive possessions for the Hornets, grabbed rebounds, and made two three-pointers to win this game.
Since his return from the 25-game suspension he has looked refreshed and has been the best defensive player on the floor for Philly through the two games that he has played. The Sixers needed everything from him and a motivated George is a wonderful thing for Philly especially with eight games left in the 2025-26 NBA regular season. They are fighting to avoid the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament so all these games will be important for the Sixers. In addition, if they play like they did tonight throughout the rest of this season they will be able to get to a top six spot in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the explosive scoring from Embiid, Maxey, and George the Hornets were able to hit their shots throughout this game. They dominated the Sixers in the rebounding battle and had multiple opportunities to put points on the board and made Philly pay for every possession they did not end with a rebound. Brandon Miller (29 points), LaMelo Ball (20 points), and Coby White (16 points) combined for 65 of the Hornets’ 114 points. Miller just could not be stopped in this game and made Philly pay for every defensive mistake. The Sixers had to put a combination of Kelly Oubre Jr, VJ Edgecombe, and Paul Georg on him to add more size and force him into more difficult shots. That slowed the Hornets down and gave Philly the momentum they needed to take this game from Charlotte.
At one point in this contest the Sixers were down by 15 and it looked like they were headed to a massive defeat in this game. However, Embiid, George, and Maxey were able to will their team back. Maxey made a one-handed dunk over Miles Bridges that brought the Sixers bench to their feet. Early in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line Andre Drummond played well enough to keep his team in it, he grabbed a couple of rebounds and had a block shot in this game to prevent the Hornets from pulling away. His six minutes saved this game for Philly while Embiid was resting.
Paul George made a clutch corner three pointer to help the Sixers pull ahead and then he made the game winning free throw to seal the game for them. Philly had to have this game to stay ahead of the Hornets in the playoff standings and they were able to pull it off and when the Sixers are focused, they are a dangerous team.
The Sixers will now prepare to face the Miami Heat on Monday night in another game with playoff and play-in tournament implications. Miami is another team that has a lot of size and rebounders that they will have to deal with. Philly will need to limit their turnovers, win, or keep the rebounding battle competitive, and cash in on the high-percentage shooting opportunities created from their ball movement. Implementing these things into their game plan on Monday night will put them in great shape to win their 42nd game of the season.