The Philadelphia 76ers dropped a 112-108 game to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, sliding to a 13-10 record while the Lakers improved to 17-6. Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 28 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but Luka Doncic’s 31‑point, 15‑rebound, 11‑assist triple‑double proved too much.
Opening Sparks
Luka Doncic opened the game with a mid‑range jumper, and Maxey answered with a catch‑and‑shoot three, making his first four field goals and scoring 10 points in the first quarter. The Sixers began with a sharp pace, Paul George’s transition lay‑up and Maxey’s pull‑up three pushing Philadelphia ahead 19‑9 after Dominick Barlow’s free‑throw run. The intensity was high from the start; Maxey even chatted with former NFL star Terrell Owens before the ceremonial bell‑ringing, and a technical foul was called on him late in the first quarter for a disagreement with an official’s no‑call.
A Tight First Half
The Sixers cooled off toward the end of the first quarter, allowing the Lakers to mount a run that included LeBron James’ powerful dunk. The roar from the crowd was palpable, and Rui Hachimura’s corner three on the Lakers’ last play of the first tied the game at 30‑all. The Sixers’ bench dominated the first half, outscoring the Lakers’ starters and creating an 18‑2 advantage for Philadelphia’s second unit at halftime.
- Jabari Walker swished a three on his first touch.
- Jared McCain hit two long‑range jumpers and a driving lay‑up early in the second quarter.
Embiid’s Shooting Woes
Joel Embiid struggled throughout the game, going 2‑15 through three quarters. He was initially 1‑14 before a tip‑in in the second quarter was retroactively credited, bringing his final line to 4‑21. Embiid’s early shots were reasonable, but he missed many mid‑range looks and appeared frustrated, staring at the ceiling and raising his arms after a miss inside the foul line on the Sixers’ final possession of the second quarter.
Austin Reaves of the Lakers also had a rough night, going 0‑8. Maxey and the Sixers guarded him effectively, limiting his impact.
Second‑Half Surge
In the third quarter, the Lakers’ starters outperformed Philadelphia’s, with James drilling three jumpers early and Deandre Ayton’s alley‑oop dunk giving L.A. a 68‑67 lead. The Sixers fell behind as many as 10 points late in the third quarter but began to claw back. VJ Edgecombe and Maxey hit threes, cutting the deficit to 87‑84 as the fourth quarter approached.
LeBron’s two crucial jumpers pushed the Lakers ahead 105‑100. Embiid entered the game for a final stint with 3:23 left on the clock. The Sixers applied pressure on Doncic, and after he threw a pass out of bounds, Embiid hit a mid‑range jumper to tie the game at 105‑105.
Clutch Moments
James continued to dominate late, hitting a contested three and a fade‑away mid‑range bucket. The Sixers’ jumpers in the final minute all missed until Maxey launched a desperate three with seven seconds left, cutting the Lakers’ lead to 110‑108. However, Doncic sealed the game with a pair of free throws.
Key Takeaways
- Maxey’s 28 points and 9 assists were offset by the Lakers’ star power.
- Embiid’s shooting slump (4‑21) highlighted a difficult night.
- The Lakers’ bench and clutch shooting proved decisive.
The Sixers will regroup before hosting the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, hoping to turn the tide in their next matchup.
