For the first time this season, the Philadelphia 76ers finally caught a real glimpse of what their full roster could look like. Nineteen games into the 2025–26 campaign, Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks offered a long-awaited look at a nearly complete rotation — something fans and coaches alike have been anxious to see. With the Sixers once again navigating an early wave of injuries to Joel Embiid, Paul George, Dominick Barlow, Trendon Watford, and Kelly Oubre Jr., the start of the season has carried an uncomfortable resemblance to last year’s opening stretch. Still, the return of multiple key pieces — along with the promising arrival of No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe and continued development from Quentin Grimes and rookie guard Jared McCain — injected real optimism heading into the night.
Game Overview:
The Sixers faced an undermanned Hawks team missing Trae Young but powered by a breakout performance from Jalen Johnson, who poured in a career-high 41 points. Despite battling through double overtime and controlling large portions of the game, Philadelphia ultimately fell 132–127 in a contest filled with momentum swings, missed opportunities, and late-game drama.
Joel Embiid and Paul George, both working under light minutes restrictions as they ease back into the rotation, posted steady but measured numbers. Embiid finished with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 30 minutes, while George added 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists across 28 minutes. Their presence alone brought structure back to the lineup, but the coaching staff remained cautious with workloads, leaving the team to rely heavily on its young star Tyrese Maxey in the closing moments.
Philadelphia had multiple opportunities to put the game away. One of the most talked-about sequences came with 2.4 seconds remaining in regulation, when head coach Nick Nurse attempted to call a timeout after securing a rebound. The officials, however, failed to acknowledge the signal, eliminating a chance to draw up a potential game-winning play. Just moments after in overtime, Maxey — who had been brilliant throughout the night — missed a pair of free throws that could have extended the Sixers’ lead to four. Those misses opened the door for Johnson to tie the game, ultimately sending it to a second overtime.
Even with the loss, Maxey delivered another star-making performance. The guard finished with 44 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, marking his seventh game this season with at least 35 points. According to NBC Sports, Maxey currently holds the fifth-best odds to win MVP. His continued leap has been one of the defining bright spots of the season, and Sunday’s performance only solidified his place among the league’s elite young guards.
Ranking:
Despite dropping to 11–9, placing them ninth in the Eastern Conference as of December 3, the Sixers left Sunday’s game with a clearer picture of what they can become as they get healthier. The chemistry between the returning stars, the emerging talent of Edgecombe, and Maxey’s MVP-level play give this team a tangible foundation to build on.
Injury Update:
• Joel Embiid – Right Knee (Day-to-Day)
• Paul George – Knee/Back (Day-to-Day)
• Kelly Oubre Jr. – Left Knee (Out)
• Trendon Watford – Left Abductor (Out)
The Sixers return home on Thursday, December 4th, to host the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center.
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