Maxey’s Historic Steals Spark Sixers Win

• Tyrese Maxey set a career high with eight steals and added 29 points and eight assists.
• Joel Embiid scored 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
• The Sixers scored 28 points off turnovers compared to Indiana’s seven.
• Why it matters: The victory keeps Philadelphia in playoff position and showcases Maxey’s All-Star credentials.

With Paul George sidelined for left-knee injury management, coach Nick Nurse inserted Kelly Oubre Jr. into the starting five. Oubre delivered 18 points and early energy, scoring the first four points on a pair of driving layups.

Embiid opened 5-for-5 from the floor, including a one-legged fadeaway over Andrew Nembhard and a face-up jumper on Jay Huff. His mid-range rhythm set the tone as Philadelphia built an early cushion.

Maxey’s defensive aggression surfaced quickly. He recorded two first-quarter steals and helped the Sixers convert the game’s first 13 points off turnovers and all 13 fast-break points in the opening frame.

Philadelphia’s second unit struggled once the stars exited. Nurse rolled out a guard-less lineup featuring Trendon Watford, Quentin Grimes, and rookie VJ Edgecombe, and the offense stalled.

Watford missed two free throws and three shots near the rim. Grimes finished the half 1-for-5, and Edgecombe attempted only four field goals in 20 first-half minutes, scoring his first point on a free throw with 1:55 left in the second quarter.

Three-point shooting compounded the problem; the Sixers hit just 2-of-10 from deep in the half. Meanwhile, former Sixer Tony Bradley energized Indiana’s reserves, helping the Pacers surge ahead by 10 before halftime.

The starters returned in the third and reclaimed control. Edgecombe provided a spark, laying in his own miss for a 63-62 lead and later throwing down a one-handed and-one dunk over Bradley.

Despite continued cold shooting-29.4 percent from three and 66.7 percent from the line-Philadelphia stayed within striking distance thanks to relentless ball pressure. Maxey hunted passing lanes, turning steals into immediate transition opportunities.

A Pascal Siakam corner three gave Indiana an 88-86 edge early in the fourth, but Maxey answered with a steal and two free throws to ignite a 7-0 run. The Sixers never trailed again.

Maxey’s eight steals eclipsed his previous career best and illustrated his growth on the defensive end. Embiid’s 30 points marked his fourth straight 30-plus outing against the Pacers.

Philadelphia now turns its attention to a Tuesday-night date with the Phoenix Suns, seeking a 2-0 start to the week.

Key Takeaways

• Maxey’s two-way excellence solidifies his All-Star starter status.
• Embiid remains dominant versus Indiana, averaging 32.8 points in his last four meetings.
• The Sixers’ defense fueled victory: 28-7 edge in points off turnovers.
• George’s absence underscores the need for consistent bench output.