Sixers Dominate Shorthanded Clippers Behind Career Night from Barlow, Maxey’s Scoring Surge
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The Philadelphia 76ers opened their West Coast road trip with a statement win, taking full advantage of a depleted Los Angeles Clippers squad on the second night of a back-to-back. With James Harden sidelined and LA’s energy clearly lagging, the Sixers jumped out early and never looked back, cruising to a 128-113 victory to extend their win streak to four games.
Philadelphia came out aggressive, building a 23-point lead in the first half and maintaining that cushion the rest of the way. It was the kind of performance that showcased the Sixers' depth and versatility - and it featured a breakout performance from one of their young bigs.
Dominick Barlow: A+
Let’s start with the headliner.
Dominick Barlow had himself a night. The 20-year-old forward turned in a career-best 26 points and 16 rebounds, and it wasn’t just the numbers - it was how he got them.
Barlow was relentless on the glass, creating second-chance opportunities and finishing with authority around the rim. He was active in transition, confident putting the ball on the floor, and even stepped out to knock down a three.
The Sixers leaned on his energy and physicality, and he delivered in every facet. This was a glimpse of what Barlow can be when everything clicks - a high-motor big who impacts the game on both ends.
Tyrese Maxey: A
With the Clippers missing key perimeter defenders, Maxey wasted no time taking over.
He came out firing, hitting his first four three-point attempts and setting the tone early. He finished with 29 points, five rebounds, and six assists - and while it wasn’t his most creative night as a playmaker, he didn’t need to be.
Maxey’s shot-making was the engine of the offense, and when he’s in that kind of rhythm, the Sixers are tough to stop. He was confident, aggressive, and efficient - exactly what Philly needed to keep the pressure on a tired Clippers squad.
Joel Embiid: B+
This wasn’t a dominant scoring night for Embiid, but his presence was still felt in a big way.
The Clippers threw multiple bodies at him, and he responded by making the right reads, drawing defenders, and creating open looks for his teammates. His unselfishness helped the Sixers find their offensive rhythm early.
Once he started looking for his own shot, he found a groove and added 24 points and five boards. It’s a testament to Embiid’s evolution - even when he’s not putting up monster numbers, he’s still anchoring the offense and dictating the flow of the game.
Kelly Oubre Jr.: A-
Oubre continues to be a steady contributor for this team.
In this one, he filled the gaps beautifully - knocking down open threes, attacking closeouts, making the extra pass, and holding his own defensively. He finished with 15 points, and his ability to stretch the floor while also providing downhill pressure helped unlock the Sixers’ offense.
Oubre’s versatility has been key during this win streak, and he’s proving he can be more than just a spark plug - he’s a reliable two-way piece.
VJ Edgecombe: C+
Edgecombe didn’t shoot it well, but his impact went beyond the box score.
The rookie guard stayed engaged defensively, rotating well and helping to force tough shots for the Clippers’ guards. He also chipped in with seven assists, showing he can still contribute even when his shot isn’t falling.
Nights like this are part of the rookie learning curve, and the encouraging sign is that he’s still finding ways to make a difference.
Quentin Grimes: B+
Grimes brought the juice off the bench.
He made an early statement with a powerful poster dunk over John Collins, then followed it up with two made threes and some gritty defense. His energy was contagious, and he gave the Sixers a lift on both ends.
This was the kind of performance that can help Grimes re-establish his role in the rotation - aggressive, confident, and impactful.
Jared McCain: B+
The Sixers ran a well-designed play to get McCain an open look off a screen, and he buried the three with confidence.
It’s a small moment, but a meaningful one - the team is clearly making an effort to get him involved and build his rhythm. The rookie guard is showing signs of settling in, and the confidence boost is starting to show in his decision-making.
Adem Bona: B-
Bona’s early minutes were strong.
He ran the floor hard, found gaps in the defense, and finished around the rim with purpose. He also held his ground defensively and contributed on the boards.
While his time was limited, he made the most of his stint - exactly what you want from a young big still finding his footing.
Trendon Watford: Incomplete
Watford saw limited action, logging eight meaningful minutes before finishing out garbage time.
But during that short stretch, he showed some flashes - using his size and ball-handling to navigate the offense and make a few smart plays. He didn’t have enough time to fully leave his mark, but he looked comfortable in his role.
This win wasn’t just about who the Sixers beat - it was about how they did it. They came out focused, took care of business early, and got contributions across the board.
With Embiid commanding attention, Maxey torching the defense, and Barlow delivering a breakout game, Philadelphia is starting to look like a team that can beat you in a variety of ways. And on a night when the Clippers were vulnerable, the Sixers didn’t let the opportunity slip.