Quentin Grimes didn’t just throw down a dunk Monday night-he threw down a statement. Early in the second quarter of the Sixers' road matchup against the Clippers, Grimes elevated through traffic and hammered home a one-handed poster over John Collins that instantly sent shockwaves through the arena and across social media. The NBA wasted no time posting the clip, and fans lit up X (formerly Twitter), reacting to the sheer force and audacity of the slam.
It wasn’t just a highlight-it was a momentum shift. That dunk didn’t just get the Sixers bench on its feet, it set the tone for the rest of the night. From that point forward, Philadelphia played like a team that knew it had the upper hand, turning early aggression into sustained control.
By the time the game hit the fourth quarter, the Sixers had built a 117-104 lead-comfortable, but not the result of a single hot streak. This was a team win, built possession by possession, with physicality on the glass and poise in the half court.
Tyrese Maxey led the way offensively, dropping 29 points and posting the team’s best plus-minus. He was the engine all night, pushing pace, attacking gaps, and keeping the Clippers on their heels. But it wasn’t just Maxey making noise.
Barlow was a force inside, racking up 20 points and hauling down 16 rebounds-10 of them on the offensive glass. That kind of second-chance effort is the stuff coaches love and opponents hate. Every extra possession chipped away at the Clippers’ rhythm, and Barlow made sure the Sixers kept the pressure on.
Joel Embiid, as usual, was steady and efficient. He poured in 24 points and went a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, providing a stabilizing presence whenever the Clippers threatened to make a run. Whether it was drawing contact or hitting timely buckets, Embiid made sure the Sixers never lost control.
The Clippers had their moments-Kawhi Leonard got going late, and Lopez hit from deep-but every time L.A. tried to close the gap, Philly had an answer. That early Grimes dunk?
QUENTIN GRIMES.
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2026
ONE-HANDED POSTER SLAM 🤯 pic.twitter.com/RQvd1K7UqE
It wasn’t just a highlight. It was a preview of what was to come: a road performance built on grit, execution, and a whole lot of confidence.
For the Sixers, this wasn’t just another win. It was a reminder of what they’re capable of when they bring energy on both ends and play connected basketball. And for Grimes, that dunk might just be the moment people point to when they talk about the night Philly took control and never looked back.