Sixers Bell Ringer: Yabu, Maxey only Sixers to show effort in blowout loss vs. Nuggets

Yabusele and Maxey gave their best while the rest of the roster struggled to put up a fight

Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Jared McCain – 8

Tyrese Maxey – 8

Joel Embiid – 7

Paul George – 6

Guerschon Yabusele – 3

Kelly Oubre Jr – 2

Ricky Council IV – 2

KJ Martin – 2

Justin Edwards – 2

Adem Bona – 1

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It turns out a nationally televised game against an opponent with an elite center was not the tonic for this team as the Denver Nuggets beat up on the Sixers 144-109 Tuesday night.

Philadelphia turned in their worst defensive performance of the season, surrendering a 61.2% field goal percentage to the Nuggets while letting them shoot 51.6% from beyond the three point arc.

The lone two Sixers to put up a fight in the laugher were Tyrese Maxey and Guerschon Yabusele, who finished with 28 and 22 points respectively.

Only two other players for Philadelphia were able to reach double figures. They were Paul George and Justin Edwards.

Edwards got to 11 points, shooting 4-of-10 from the field, as did PG who shot 5-of-11 from the floor. It’s easy to dismiss a meh shooting night for Edwards as he continues to try to find his place in the NBA. George was 0-for-3 in the second half.

Only because we have to, let’s talk Bell Ringers.

Guerschon Yabusele

He wasn’t the leading scorer for the Sixers’ tonight, but anyone watching the game definitely felt that Yabu was providing the most energy for Philadelphia. While he couldn’t do much to slow down Nikola Jokic, that was hardly an indictment on him as the Sixers’ defense struggled as a whole.

In spite of that, Yabu shined as someone who continued to give effort on both ends even after the game was well in hand. 10 of his 22 points came in the third quarter as he tried to claw a lifeless Sixers squad back into competition. For as dire as this season’s got for the Sixers, Yabusele’s effort has never waned.

Tyrese Maxey

Not only was Maxey the leading scorer for a team that got demolished, but he was one of the few guys who gave effort on both ends on the floor for as long as he was out there.

Maxey added two steals to go along with 28 points and 10 assists. He shot 11-of-21 from the floor despite an inefficient 3-of-10 from beyond the arc. His best stretch of scoring game in the second after he got an and-1 to go he got a couple of threes to follow. He was one of the few Sixers to hustle on both ends, finishing the night with two steals, but it was little enough to stop the Nuggets who scored with 144 points on the night.