Sixers Hornets Embiid Grimes Maxey

Sixers outlast Hornets 125–121 behind Quentin Grimes’ late three

The Sixers needed every bit of poise they could muster in their home opener Saturday night. With the game on the line, Quentin Grimes delivered.

Grimes hit a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds to push the Sixers past the Charlotte Hornets 125–121, sealing a hard-fought win that moved Philadelphia to 2–0 for the first time since the 2020–21 season.

Maxey and Edgecombe Steal the Spotlight Early

After dropping 40 points in the opener against Boston, Tyrese Maxey wasted no time heating up again. The Sixers guard blitzed Charlotte’s defense in the first quarter, using his lightning speed and newfound patience to carve up the Hornets.

His off-ball movement continues to open up opportunities for him as both a shooter and slasher, and once he started attacking downhill, Charlotte had no answer.

Maxey carried the offense late, getting to the line repeatedly in crunch time to keep Philly afloat. He finished with another strong outing, proving once again that this team goes as far as he takes them.

VJ Edgecombe, meanwhile, came back down to earth after his electric debut. The rookie flashed both his talent and inexperience, showing moments of brilliance mixed with over-aggression and sloppy fouls.

His shot selection left a lot to be desired, and his handle looked shaky when Charlotte turned up the defensive pressure. Still, 15 points, six rebounds, and eight assists in just his second NBA game show plenty of promise.

Quentin Grimes Closes the Show

While Maxey did the heavy lifting for much of the night, Grimes took center stage when it mattered most.

The sharpshooter exploded early, knocking down six of seven shots and four threes in the first half. After cooling off in the third quarter, he came alive again when the Sixers needed a hero.

With under 30 seconds to go, Grimes buried a dagger three to give Philadelphia the lead for good, capping off a gutsy performance.

Drummond Outplays Bona in Backup Big Battle

The Sixers’ backup center situation is quickly becoming a storyline. Rookie big man Adem Bona continues to flash athleticism and shot-blocking instincts, but his overzealous play has led to defensive breakdowns and missed opportunities on the glass.

Nick Nurse turned to veteran Andre Drummond late in the third quarter, and the move paid off. Drummond’s rebounding and size completely changed the flow of the game, allowing the Sixers to control the paint and keep possessions alive.

His energy lifted the crowd, and his and-one off a missed Maxey free throw was a vintage Drummond moment. If Nurse was looking for stability behind Joel Embiid, Drummond made a strong case to be that guy.

Embiid Bounces Back

After a sluggish opener, Joel Embiid looked more like himself in game two. He came out firing from deep before punishing the Hornets inside, forcing rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner into early foul trouble. Embiid’s pick-and-pop game was sharp, and his offensive rhythm returned in full.

Defensively, he’s still not where he needs to be, but he showed improved energy in the second half and made a few key contests around the rim. It was a step forward in what should be a long process to get him back to MVP form.

The Sixers are still ironing out the wrinkles, but a 2–0 start is exactly what they needed. Maxey is playing like a star, Embiid looks closer to form, and Quentin Grimes just proved he’s not afraid of the moment.

The vibes are good in South Philly.

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