Sixers Celebrate 2001 Reunion with a Gritty Win Over Pelicans
On a night when the 76ers honored the 2001 team that electrified a city, the current squad gave the home crowd something else to cheer about - a hard-fought 123-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective. And when you’ve got Joel Embiid doing Joel Embiid things, that’s often enough.
Let’s dive into how this one played out - and how the Sixers weathered some shaky stretches to close it out strong.
Embiid Sets the Tone Early - and Late
Joel Embiid continues to make the extraordinary look routine. He poured in 39 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, going 13-of-27 from the field.
Once again, he came out scorching in the first half, setting the tone offensively and getting to the line at will. His footwork, touch, and physicality were on full display - and when the offense stalled in the second half, he was the one who steadied the ship.
But it wasn’t just about the scoring. Embiid drew a key charge on Zion Williamson in the second quarter that had the bench on its feet. He also showed some chemistry with rookie Jared McCain, setting clean screens and finding space in the midrange to knock down timely jumpers when the Sixers needed them most.
Maxey Quiet, But Clutch
Tyrese Maxey didn’t have his loudest game - he cooled off after a strong first quarter and finished with 18 points and eight assists on 7-of-18 shooting. But when the Sixers needed a boost in the fourth, Maxey delivered. He hit a critical three to push the lead back to six, then followed it up with a fast-break finish that helped swing momentum back to Philly.
It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t leap off the stat sheet but shows his growing maturity as a lead guard. Maxey didn’t force things when his shot wasn’t falling, and he found ways to contribute late.
Edgecombe Impresses in Key Moments
VJ Edgecombe continues to show why he’s becoming a fan favorite. The rookie had 15 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting night and dished out five assists - including a highlight-reel behind-the-back dime to set up a Kelly Oubre Jr. three. That pass alone might’ve been worth the price of admission.
Edgecombe’s feel for the game is ahead of schedule. He knows when to push, when to defer, and how to make plays without overcomplicating things. He’s not just filling minutes - he’s impacting winning.
Oubre Steps Up in PG’s Absence
With Paul George serving the first game of his 25-game suspension, the Sixers needed someone to step into that wing role. Kelly Oubre Jr. answered the call, scoring 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting while grabbing nine boards and handing out four assists. He was aggressive early, especially on the glass, and gave Philly some much-needed toughness on the perimeter.
Oubre’s energy was contagious. He knocked down a pair of big threes in the third quarter to halt a Pelicans run and was active defensively throughout. While no one’s expecting him to replicate George’s production, this was exactly the kind of game the Sixers needed from him.
Pelicans Keep It Close Behind Bey’s Big Night
Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 34 points and was a problem all night, especially in the third quarter. He opened the second half with a quick three and kept New Orleans within striking distance even as Philly tried to pull away.
Trey Murphy also gave the Sixers trouble off the dribble, and Jose Alvarado opened the fourth with a three that briefly gave the Pelicans their first lead since the second quarter. But ultimately, the Sixers had just enough shot-making and just enough defense to close the door.
Bench Rotations & Defensive Adjustments
With George out, Nick Nurse had to get creative with his rotations. That meant staggering Embiid’s minutes to start the second quarter and giving Trendon Watford some extended run as a ball-handler. Watford chipped in a three and a driving layup, but struggled defensively when tasked with guarding Zion - picking up three quick fouls in the fourth.
The Sixers also experimented with an Embiid-Adem Bona frontcourt late in the first half, a look that helped on the glass and gave them some size to match up with Williamson. Bona played a bit of a roaming safety role, helping off Zion and crashing the boards. It wasn’t perfect, but it showed Nurse is willing to tinker when the situation calls for it.
McCain Delivers in Crunch Time
Jared McCain didn’t get into the game until a few minutes into the second quarter, but he made his presence felt late. The rookie guard knocked down a pair of threes off Embiid screens and gave the offense a jolt when it needed one most. His ability to play off the ball and space the floor is becoming a real asset in these tight games.
Final Push: Sixers Close It Out
With the game hanging in the balance, the Sixers locked in. Embiid hit a jumper out of a timeout following a successful challenge.
Maxey and Barlow turned a missed Pelicans three into a fast-break bucket. Then came the dagger sequence: Maxey hit a three, followed by back-to-back triples from Embiid and Edgecombe to stretch the lead and seal the win.
It wasn’t a wire-to-wire blowout, but it was a win that showed resilience, depth, and a team that’s learning how to close.
The Bottom Line
The Sixers didn’t have their full arsenal, but they had enough. Embiid was dominant, Maxey was timely, and the supporting cast filled in the gaps. On a night when the franchise celebrated its past, the present gave fans plenty to be excited about.
And if this group keeps finding ways to win like this - even on off nights - they’ll be a tough out come spring.