Lakers Rally Past Sixers as Philly’s Win Streak Ends at Five
LOS ANGELES - The Sixers had this one in their hands. Up 14 in the third quarter, moving the ball, dictating pace - and then it all unraveled. The Lakers stormed back with a 26-10 run, flipped the game on its head, and held on late for a 119-115 win that snapped Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak.
This wasn’t just about LeBron James doing LeBron James things, though he certainly did. It was also about Austin Reaves stepping up in crunch time, the Lakers' defense tightening the screws, and the Sixers losing their rhythm when it mattered most. Joel Embiid put up big numbers again - 35 points, seven rebounds, seven assists - but even that wasn’t enough to fend off L.A.’s late surge.
Let’s break down the three biggest takeaways from a game that slipped through Philly’s fingers.
1. Offensive Stagnation and Defensive Lapses Open the Door for L.A.
For two and a half quarters, the Sixers looked like the better team. They had pace, ball movement, and were getting contributions up and down the lineup. But once the Lakers started switching on defense, things changed in a hurry.
“We got stagnant,” Tyrese Maxey said postgame. “They played fast. They couldn’t really score on our half-court defense, but they scored in transition.”
That was the story. The Lakers pushed tempo, and the Sixers didn’t match it.
Philly’s transition defense - or lack thereof - gave L.A. life, and once the momentum shifted, it was tough to get it back. The Sixers had one last push in them late, but Reaves and James were too steady down the stretch.
The Sixers' offense, which had been flowing, suddenly became predictable. The ball stopped moving, and the Lakers took full advantage. In a game of runs, this one came down to who could close - and the Lakers did just that.
2. Maxey’s Rough Night Behind the Numbers
Tyrese Maxey’s final line - 26 points and 13 assists - looks solid on paper. But this was one of his tougher nights of the season. He shot just 1-for-9 from beyond the arc and missed several shots around the rim that he usually converts.
The Lakers made it a point to get physical with him, and it worked. They switched aggressively, crowded his driving lanes, and forced him into uncomfortable spots. Maxey never quite found his rhythm, and while he still made plays as a facilitator, the scoring efficiency just wasn’t there.
“They were really physical on his drives. I mean, crazy,” said head coach Nick Nurse.
“I think he started 0-for-5 or 0-for-6, and those were good looks. But once they started switching, he didn’t get great ones from there.”
Maxey’s been electric all season, but this was a reminder that even All-Star starters can have off nights - especially against a defense that’s locked in and willing to get physical.
3. Dominick Barlow Earns His Spot - And Keeps Producing
Amid the loss, there was a bright spot for the Sixers: Dominick Barlow’s promotion from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal became official just hours before tip-off. And then he went out and showed why he earned it.
Barlow finished with 13 points, continuing to provide steady production in the frontcourt. The 4-year big man out of Overtime Elite has carved out a real role in this rotation, and he’s doing it with energy, physicality, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
“He certainly more than deserved it,” Nurse said. “A two-way guy starting that many games for a team that’s winning a little bit - I don’t know if that’s ever happened. But he’s filled a great role for us.”
Barlow’s journey from a developmental league to a key contributor on a winning team is a testament to his work ethic and versatility. He’s not just filling minutes - he’s impacting games.
Final Word
This one stings for the Sixers. They had control, they had momentum, and they let it get away. But it’s also a learning moment - a reminder that in the NBA, no lead is safe, and every possession matters.
Now it’s on to the next stop in the road trip, where they’ll look to regroup, rediscover their rhythm, and start building another streak. Because if there's one thing this team has shown, it's that they know how to bounce back.