Sixers Fall in Double-OT Thriller, but Key Returns Offer Silver Linings
PHILADELPHIA - The Sixers didn’t walk away with the win on Sunday night, but they did walk away with something nearly as important: hope. In a 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia saw the return of Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, and Andre Drummond - three pieces they’re counting on for the long haul.
And while the result stung, the performance gave fans and coaches alike a glimpse of what this team could look like at full strength. Let’s break down the three biggest takeaways from a game that was as exhausting as it was revealing.
**1. Embiid's Return: Rusty?
Sure. Encouraging?
Absolutely. **
After missing nine games with a nagging right knee issue, Joel Embiid was back in the lineup - and while he wasn’t in MVP form just yet, his presence was immediately felt. He finished with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting, added six free throws, and chipped in a block. More importantly, he demanded attention every time he touched the ball, opening up the floor for his teammates in ways that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.
There were moments where the rust was obvious - particularly in the fourth quarter and overtime, where he went just 1-for-5 - but that’s to be expected after nearly a month away from live NBA action. Even so, head coach Nick Nurse was encouraged by what he saw.
“I thought he made some decent moves on offense,” Nurse said. “He got us some open space to play in… I think for the first time in three weeks, and probably his most minutes by at least six or seven this year, I thought he played well.”
He wasn’t dominant, but he didn’t need to be. Just being on the floor tilted the defense and gave Philly a different dimension - one they’ve been sorely missing.
2. Maxey’s Grit Shines Through
Tyrese Maxey’s stat line jumps off the page: 44 points, nine assists, seven rebounds. But numbers only tell half the story. What really stood out was how he responded to adversity.
Through three quarters, Maxey was struggling - 4-for-12 from the field, 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, and dealing with a Hawks defense loaded with long, switchable defenders like Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. But when the game tightened, Maxey rose to the moment.
He poured in 12 points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch three to force overtime. Then he tacked on another 12 points across the two extra periods, keeping the Sixers in it until the very end. Yes, he missed a pair of free throws late in the first OT that could’ve sealed the win - but that shouldn’t overshadow the resilience he showed.
“I looked down and I looked up one time, and he had 36,” Nurse said. “I couldn’t believe it, because it felt like he had a ton of great looks that he just wasn’t hitting… But he hung in there. I thought he did a heck of a job navigating their length down the lane.”
That’s what you want from your lead guard - someone who keeps coming, even when the shots aren’t falling. Maxey did just that.
3. Edgecombe Eases Back Into Action
No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe returned after a three-game absence due to a calf injury, and while his minutes were limited, his impact was still felt. In 21 minutes, Edgecombe scored seven points on 3-of-6 shooting and brought his usual energy and athleticism to the floor.
The Sixers were cautious with their prized rookie, keeping him on a minutes restriction and even adjusting the rotation mid-game to preserve his availability for late-game moments. Nurse started Quentin Grimes in the second half to help manage Edgecombe’s load - a move that paid off, as Grimes erupted for 28 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Edgecombe, for his part, is taking the restriction in stride.
“Obviously, from a player standpoint, you want to be on the floor,” he said postgame. “But I’m super proud of my teammates - just how they fought. I know there’s nothing I can do about the minutes restrictions right now, but I’m just happy that my teammates fought at the end of the game.”
It’s a mature perspective from a 19-year-old rookie, and a reminder that the Sixers are playing the long game with Edgecombe. His flashes were there - now it’s just about building him back up.
Final Thoughts
The loss stings - no question. But this wasn’t just another game in the standings.
This was a measuring stick. The Sixers showed grit, got key players back into the fold, and pushed a talented Hawks team to the brink in a double-overtime battle.
There’s work to be done, especially on the defensive end, and the minutes management will continue to be a storyline as Embiid and Edgecombe ramp up. But if Sunday night was any indication, this team is finally starting to get whole again - and that’s when things get interesting.