Shorthanded Sixers drop another one in overtime, this time 122-115 to the Houston Rockets

The Sixers dropped another one tonight, falling to 3-14 after a 122-115 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets in Philly. It’s their third overtime game of the season, and once again, they were shorthanded—rolling out their 10th different starting lineup in just 17 games.

But despite the loss, there were flashes of fight and energy we haven’t seen since Sunday’s humiliation ritual against the Clippers. This feels like one of those games you’d easily brush off in a normal season. Instead, we’re clinging to “good losses” for scraps of joy while my brother shamelessly campaigns for a Ben Simmons Reunion Tour in South Philly.

Just Click The Link. If you think I have it in me to address that madness right now, you’re sadly mistaken.

Tyrese Maxey: All-Star Energy

Tyrese Maxey was in his bag tonight, dropping 39 points, 10 assists, and a career-high five steals. Twenty-eight of those points came in the second half, where he absolutely took over. He forced overtime with three ice-cold free throws in the final seconds of regulation and kept the Sixers alive in the clutch.

take the 🏀 and run. pic.twitter.com/MX84nREQrw

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 28, 2024

Still, the whistle—or lack thereof—was a huge issue. It’s no secret that our guy has the worst whistle in the league and while Maxey drew a crucial foul late in the game, the fact that he only shot five free throws in a game where the Rockets got 38 is criminal.

For a player evolving into a star, he’s still getting mauled out there with little help from the refs. But hey, I’d never complain about officiating. Never.

Guerschon Yabusele: French Firepower

Guerschon Yabusele continues to prove he’s a legit piece for this squad. He dropped 22 points, grabbed seven boards, and knocked down 4-of-6 from deep.

another triple for Yabu. 👌 pic.twitter.com/uONOd6bAQ7

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 28, 2024

He’s one of the few reliable shooters on this team right now and absolutely needs more minutes, even when Caleb Martin comes back. Start him at the 4, stagger him as the backup 5—whatever it takes, Yabusele needs to be on the floor.

Ricky Council IV: The Spark We’ve Needed

Nick Nurse finally unleashed Ricky Council IV, and the kid delivered. After watching Eric Gordon and Reggie Jackson combine for a miserable 12 minutes (-10 from Gordon alone), Council brought some much-needed energy, finishing with 12 points and 10 boards. His hustle was crucial, and it’s wild it took 17 games for Nurse to figure this out.

RICKY 4 III. pic.twitter.com/HMtwEplQb9

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 28, 2024

Still, benching RC4 for the first four minutes of overtime was baffling. The Rockets immediately went on a 9-3 run, and the game slipped away. Rookie mistakes aren’t exclusive to players, apparently.

Jared McCain: ROTY Struggles

Jared McCain had a rough one. The Rookie of the Year frontrunner shot 0-for-6 from deep and finished with 15 points on 6-of-19 from the floor.

He’s drawing plenty of defensive attention, which is both a compliment and a challenge for a rookie still finding his rhythm. We’ll give him a pass tonight—he’s carrying a massive load for a shorthanded team in just his 17th NBA game. But let’s just say there won’t be any dancing from McCain or the Liberty Line crew tonight.

Joel Embiid Update

Nick Nurse gave a pre-game update on Embiid’s knee, and it’s bleak. “He needs to play again and see how it reacts,” Nurse said. This was Embiid’s third straight game on the bench, and it’s becoming harder to ignore the writing on the wall.

Fake Outrage: Joel Embiid’s Knees and the Sixers’ Eternal Dance with Chaos

Nine months removed from a surgery with a supposed 6-8 week recovery window, Embiid’s knee is still swelling after just four games. A full season shutdown feels inevitable—and possibly necessary.

Paul George Update

Paul George has a podcast, and apparently, that’s where he’s focusing his energy. Meanwhile, the Sixers are waiting for their “not-serious” knee issue guy to actually get back on the floor and, you know, win a game. The vibes are bad, Paul. Fix it.

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