Sixers begin 2025 with an ugly, 113-107 loss to the Sacramento Kings
The Sixers entered 2024 riding a four-game win streak and looked primed to extend it against a middling Kings team. For most of the night, it seemed like they would. Paul George was on fire, Tyrese Maxey was steady early, and the defense was doing enough to keep Sacramento in check.
Then the fourth quarter happened.
The Sixers, up six with under four minutes to go, completely unraveled, failing to score a single point in the final 3:34. Nine turnovers and a string of baffling decisions down the stretch handed the Kings the game on a silver platter. It was the kind of meltdown that makes you question how serious this team is about competing in the East.
Paul George finally in rhythm until he wasn’t…
Paul George was the brightest spot in this loss, and that’s saying something. For three quarters, he played the type of basketball the Sixers thought they were getting when they added him: smooth midrange jumpers, tough finishes, and even some key defensive plays.
George exploded for 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including a dominant first half where he dropped 20 on the Kings. He looked confident, decisive, and aggressive—traits we haven’t seen from him consistently this season.
But as the game tightened, so did George. Several late turnovers and a poorly timed foul-out erased much of his earlier brilliance. It was a microcosm of his season: moments of greatness overshadowed by head-scratching miscues.
Tyrese Maxey’s hot start fizzles in the 4th
Maxey was solid for much of the game, finishing with 23 points on 10-of-23 shooting. He attacked Sacramento’s drop coverage with floaters and midrange jumpers that kept the Sixers’ offense humming early.
But when the game slowed down in the fourth quarter, Maxey looked overwhelmed. De’Aaron Fox and the Kings threw traps and size at him, and he struggled to make the right decisions.
A critical turnover late led to an easy Kings transition bucket, and on the next possession, Maxey dribbled into a wall of defenders, throwing up a hopeless shot.
For someone who has been a steadying presence for the Sixers this season, this was a rare misstep in crunch time from Tyrese Maxey.
A different version of Andre Drummond…
Andre Drummond doesn’t get a ton of credit, but he brought energy and toughness off the bench, particularly against Domantas Sabonis. Drummond battled in the paint, forced tough shots, and even sparked a few transition opportunities with his rebounding and outlet passes.
Still, Sabonis grabbed 21 rebounds, and you have to wonder if Drummond should’ve seen more minutes. The Sixers were getting crushed on the glass, and Drummond was one of the few players putting up a fight.
Sixers 4th Quarter Collapse
It’s hard to overstate how bad the Sixers were in the final minutes. Zero points in the last 3:34. Nine turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.
Again…NINE TURNOVERS IN THE 4TH.
A complete inability to handle even basic defensive adjustments from the Kings.
Why are the Sixers so unprepared for traps and double-teams? Why does this team seem to forget how to play basketball in crunch time?
Nick Nurse deserves his share of the blame here. His rotations were puzzling—why was Eric Gordon playing extended minutes fresh off oral surgery?
Why didn’t Drummond get more time to combat Sabonis on the boards? The Sixers looked confused, unorganized, and unprepared when it mattered most, and that starts with the coaching staff.
This game was a winnable one, and the Sixers blew it. Paul George showed flashes of what he can be, and Tyrese Maxey continues to prove he’s a star. But the late-game issues are becoming a troubling pattern, and the lack of composure down the stretch is a red flag for a team with championship aspirations.
Four straight wins gave fans hope, but this loss brought back all the old frustrations. If the Sixers want to contend in the East, they’ll need to figure out how to close games. Right now, it appears that they will continue to fall apart when it matters most.
The Sixers are now 13-18 on the season but still have posted a 7-3 record over their last 10 games. Tonight, the Sixers will face the Golden State Warriors. You’d have to assume that Embiid will be back in the lineup tonight as he missed last night’s game in Sac-Town.
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