Sixers handle business in Brooklyn, lose Andre Drummond to knee injury

The Sixers went up to Brooklyn on Black Friday and did what a decent basketball team should do against a 3-15 opponent by winning comfortably, 115-103.

The Sixers are now 10-8 on the season, and avoided any unnecessary fourth-quarter chaos thanks to strong nights from Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, and Jared McCain.

The story of the game quickly shifted from the scoreboard to Andre Drummond’s right knee. Drummond had been one of the few consistent bright spots on this team, and he looked good early again on Friday.

He tallied seven points, four rebounds, a block, an assist, and even a corner three before disaster struck when he landed awkwardly on a rebound attempt in the second quarter.

Drummond immediately grabbed his knee, and needed help getting to the locker room.

The Sixers later ruled it a right knee sprain. No timetable yet, but the fear is obvious. Drummond had finally carved out a real role and was producing at a level Philly badly needs with Joel Embiid not on the court.

Andre Drummond now day-to-day with hyperextended knee

UPDATE: Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond suffered no structural damage to his knee, an MRI confirmed, and he’s expected to be listed as day-to-day with a hyperextended knee, league sources said. https://t.co/Q948wxiH0z

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) November 29, 2025

Paul George and Adem Bona both returned from ankle injuries, and their presence helped stabilize the rotation early.

George played 21 minutes and looked smooth in the first half before taking the rest of the night off. Bona came off the bench and gave the Sixers real energy: 13 points, six rebounds, and four blocks in 23 minutes. He even hit the first three-pointer of his NBA career, a shot that Nick Nurse said he has been drilling behind the scenes forever.

one last clip to end the night! 👌

gn sixers twitter! pic.twitter.com/96opYJCaUO

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 29, 2025

Brooklyn’s injuries left them throwing out lineups that resembled a preseason scrimmage, but the Nets made a small push in the third quarter before Quentin Grimes decided the game was over.

He attacked the basket at will, scored 19 with nine assists, and bailed the Sixers out whenever the offense stalled. Maxey handled the rest, finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists without forcing anything.

McCain added two massive threes in the second half and finished with 20 points and five steals. He looked composed, confident, and more like the guy the Sixers expect him to become as the season unfolds.

.@J_mccain_24 got busy off the bench!

20 PTS | 4 3PM | 5 STL@PALottery pic.twitter.com/9LdxA4P1UC

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 29, 2025

The win was never really in doubt, but the rotation took a hit once Drummond exited. Nick Nurse threw together whatever big combinations he could, from Jabari Walker to Johni Broome to Dominick Barlow, and the Sixers survived it well enough to avoid late-game drama.

The other headline hanging over the night was Joel Embiid’s absence. Embiid missed his ninth straight game due to knee injury management.

Nick Nurse said the team thought he was trending toward a return, but doctors still haven’t cleared him. Until he’s back, the Sixers’ margin for error in the frontcourt is razor-thin, which is why the Drummond situation feels especially urgent.

The Sixers now head home for a matchup with the Hawks on Sunday.

The win over Brooklyn counts, sure. The real concern is whether Drummond’s knee injury becomes yet another long-term problem for a roster that has already taken on more water than expected in November.

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