Paul George dropped 39 and the Sixers are out of the play-in

Paul George put on a show in Washington on Wednesday night and the Sixers needed every bit of it. 39 points on 15-for-22 shooting, six assists, five rebounds, three steals, zero turnovers in 30 minutes. The best game of his Sixers career by points and it came on a night when Joel Embiid was out sick.

Paul George Masterclass

this is what we like to call a masterclass. 🤌

39 PTS | 6 AST | 6 3PM@PALottery pic.twitter.com/Vdyco2rv6f

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 2, 2026

The Sixers won 153-131 over a Wizards team that came in 17-59 and improved to 42-34. Toronto lost to Sacramento at home on the same night. The Sixers are now the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with six games left.

They are out of the play-in… for now.

Paul George

George was locked in from the opening tip. First two possessions, two mid-range jumpers, four points, statement made. When Washington put Tristan Vukcevic on him George looked at him like he was kidding, blew past him to the rim, and drew free throws.

Hit a step-back three over the same guy a possession later just to make a point. He had 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals before the first quarter was even finished. Against the Wizards, yes, but I do not care. He looked like a problem and that is what matters right now.

This is what George looks like when he is right. No drama. No wasted possessions. He finds the advantage, he attacks it, and he scores. A pull-up in the midrange when they give it. A three when they go under the screen. A downhill drive when they dare him. The Sixers have needed this version of Paul George all season and they are getting it right now at the right time.

He was one point away from 40 and could not get there. Nurse pulled him with three minutes left and George had missed his last two attempts. Whatever. 39 points and zero turnovers in thirty minutes. You can live with that every night of the week.

The Rest

Maxey had 28 and nine dimes. Edgecombe put up 23 and 10 assists on 10-for-15 shooting which is becoming a nightly thing. Adem Bona started for the big fella and held it together while Nurse figured out rotations.

The defense was genuinely bad for stretches and the Wizards actually led by 10 in the second quarter before George and Maxey turned it back on and the Sixers went into halftime up two. It was never a real game after that.

Sixers Standings Update

Six games left. Sixth seed. Out of the play-in for the first time in weeks. The Timberwolves come to Philadelphia on Friday night.

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