After a day off the Sixers hosted red-hot Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Philly continues to struggle to stay healthy, with both Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris ruled out of the contest with day-to-day injuries. Luckily for the Sixers, recent trade acquisition George Hill was activated for the first time since joining the team.

On Saturday night the Sixers got to the Clippers early, breaking out a 20-3 run to start the game. Tonight was no different, as the Sixers quickly went up 12-0 before a Warriors timeout. That lead would quickly evaporate behind abysmal half-court offense from the Sixers and Steph Curry heating back up for three. Steph would hit a buzzer beater three to notch the game up at twenty-four points apiece. The Warrior started the game out 0/7, and would go on to finish the half shooting right around fifty-percent from the field. Embiid’s seventeen first half points would help keep the game even at the half, 55-55.

The third quarter proved to be just as much a back and fourth contest as much of the first half had been. The Warriors continued to double Embiid whenever he caught the ball, but Rivers made a great adjustment coming into the second half to deal with the swarming defenders on Joel. Routinely Embiid would kick the ball across to the corner, which would lead to open threes that kept the Sixers in the game. Danny Green had twelve points on four threes made by the end of the third, with two coming off Joel Embiid doubles. Outside out that the Sixers scored a measly fifteen points in the third on five of twenty-two shooting. Steph Curry’s twenty-nine points through three quarters combined with double digit scoring from Andrew Wiggins and Damion Lee gave the Warriors a five point lead heading into the fourth.

George Hill played seventeen minutes in his Sixers debut only managing two points on five shots from the field. Hill hasn’t stepped foot on the court in almost three months, and needed time to get adjusted to NBA basketball again. In time Hill should take over the ball handling duties in the second unit, and with that an uptick in production many fans expected when he was traded for.

With starters out, comes opportunities for bench players, and with the second unit out there Tyrese Maxey took advantage. Mid-way into the fourth Tyrese Maxey scored six quick points to help cut the lead to just one. Rivers decided to lean on the hot hand and leave Maxey in with the starters later into the fourth, which resulted in double-digit scoring from the rookie. Many Sixers fans didn’t want to see Maxey traded at the deadline thanks to his speed and traditional point guard style, and he certainly proved those fans right tonight.

Unfortunately for the Sixers, Steph Curry was unconscious from three this game, and he didn’t slow down in the fourth quarter. Curry ended the game with ten made threes in route to a 49 point performance. On the offensive end without Harris’ scoring ability Embiid was overwhelmed by constant double teams, and with minimal help couldn’t bring the game back. The Sixers drop to 22-6 at home this season, while maintaining a half game lead in the east.

Mandatory Credit: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Matt Slocum.