Sixers Hornets Maxey Embiid George Playoff Update

Sixers gut out a massive 118-114 comeback win in Charlotte, pull within a half game of the 5th seed

The Sixers pulled out a 118-114 victory in Charlotte on Saturday night and it was exactly the kind of game this team needed to win. Ugly at times, down 15 in the third quarter, and never particularly comfortable, but they found a way. That is what good teams do.

Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. both returned from injury. Joel Embiid posted 29 points and six rebounds. Paul George had 26 points, a season-high 13 rebounds, and four steals. Maxey added 26 points and eight assists.

The three of them combined for 81 points against a Charlotte team that had won 23 of its last 29 games and was riding a five-game winning streak coming in. That streak is over.

Paul George: 26 PTS | 13 REB | 4 STL

The Hornets jumped out 5-0 and the Sixers spent the first half chasing. Embiid was aggressive from the jump, drawing early fouls and posting 14 points in the first quarter alone, but Charlotte’s rookie Miles Miller went off for 16 in the opening period to match him.

Embiid Technical in the 1st Quarter:

The rebounding was a disaster early, with Charlotte pulling down ten offensive boards in the first half alone. The Hornets finished the game with 20 offensive rebounds and 21 second-chance points. That is a problem that has followed this team for three straight years and it is going to matter in the playoffs.

Maxey’s return was careful at first. He was wearing a splint on his pinky and did not take a shot until a layup with 5:30 left in the first quarter. Once Embiid sat in the second quarter Maxey switched into a different gear, hitting a long jumper off a double drag action, a catch-and-shoot triple, and a turnaround mid-range to help cut the deficit before halftime.

The Sixers trailed by 15 in the third quarter before tightening their defense and going on a run. Oubre cut baseline and caught an Embiid feed for a slam. Maxey stole the ball and found Edwards for another dunk. Maxey then drove through the defense for a layup to pull them within three heading into the fourth.

Drummond opened the fourth instead of Bona and immediately made an impact, hitting a cross-court feed to set up a Grimes three. Then Maxey grabbed a defensive rebound, pushed the pace, and threw down a monstrous left-handed dunk on Miles Bridges to tie it at 97.

WATCH: Tyrese Maxey puts Miles Bridges on a poster >>

Maxey then made a layup to give the Sixers their first lead of the game. Oubre posterized Diabate to push it to four. It stayed tight from there. George picked up his fifth foul with 7:47 left on a reach-in. Charlotte kept answering. Ball hit a three to put the Hornets up 114-112 with the game on the line.

Then the Sixers closed it. Embiid split free throws but his miss bounced off Grant Williams and stayed alive for Philadelphia. George came off an inbounds play and hit a three to take the lead. He then stole Ball’s pass into traffic for a stop.

Joel Embiid swatted a Miller jumper on their final real possession. Ball got a clean look at a tying three and missed it short. George grabbed the rebound and it was over.

Joel Embiid clutch block on Brandon Miller:

The Sixers improved to 41-33, snapped Charlotte’s five-game winning streak, and won the season series against the Hornets two games to one.

That tiebreaker could matter at the end of the year. For now Philadelphia remains in the seventh seed but the next game is Monday night in Miami against the 39-35 Heat. Win that one and the standings picture shifts considerably.

Eight games left. The roster is finally whole. Let’s see what this team is made of.

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