The Sixers kicked off their West Coast swing with authority, taking down the Clippers 128-113 in a game that felt over almost as soon as it began. Philly opened on an 18-2 run, and while the Clippers made a push to cut it to 12 in the third, they never got closer than that. The Sixers controlled the tempo, the glass, and the scoreboard from start to finish.
Let’s break down the performances that powered this win - and yes, there were plenty of Bell Ringer-worthy nights - but one name stood above the rest.
Dominick Barlow: 26 points (career high), 16 rebounds (10 offensive), 10-of-16 FG, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers
This was Barlow’s coming-out party.
The third-year forward turned in a monster double-double, setting the tone with relentless effort on the offensive glass. Ten offensive boards?
That’s not just hustle - that’s dominance. He was everywhere, cleaning up missed shots, creating second chances, and flat-out outworking the Clippers’ frontcourt.
Offensively, Barlow played within the flow - rolling hard to the rim, lurking in the dunker spot, and making himself available for dump-offs. He didn’t force anything, and it paid off. No turnovers, and plenty of impact.
Defensively, he showed off some active hands, picking off a couple passes and turning them into easy transition buckets. One of the biggest plays of the night came in the fourth, when he extended a possession by simply out-muscling both Clippers bigs. That sequence ended in a bucket and summed up his night: effort, energy, execution.
If you’re Daryl Morey watching this performance, it might be time to start thinking about converting that contract.
Tyrese Maxey: 29 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 9-of-18 FG, 7-of-14 3PT
Maxey was in flamethrower mode from the jump.
He knocked down his first four triples and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the line early, giving the Sixers a perimeter punch to complement Barlow’s interior work. His seven made threes tied his season high - the only other time he hit that mark? Opening night against Boston.
Maxey’s shot selection was sharp. He hit a smooth pull-up to open the third, then drilled a walk-in three early in the fourth. His final triple - a step-back to his left with under five minutes to go - was vintage Maxey: confident, quick, and pure.
On the defensive end, he was just as locked in. Maxey came away with three steals and looked increasingly comfortable reading passing lanes. It’s the kind of two-way performance that shows just how far he’s come as a complete player.
And after a bit of a shooting slump, this kind of bounce-back game could be just what he needs to get rolling on this road trip.
Joel Embiid: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 8-of-19 FG, 7-of-7 FT
It wasn’t Embiid’s cleanest start - he went just 2-of-10 from the field in the first half - but the reigning MVP found his rhythm when it mattered.
He came out aggressive in the third, hitting all four of his shots in the quarter, including a three and a couple of smooth jumpers. He also drew a foul on a three-point attempt, getting himself to the line where he was perfect on the night.
In the fourth, he added a pair of midrange daggers to keep the Clippers at bay. Even on a night when his shot wasn’t falling early, Embiid still found ways to impact the game - drawing attention, moving the ball, and showing up when the Sixers needed him to close.
Kelly Oubre Jr.: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 6-of-13 FG, 3-of-6 3PT
Oubre played a clean, impactful game in his role on the wing. He was active in transition, knocked down a pair of corner threes in the first half, and finished a tough lefty layup over Nicolas Batum in the fourth that helped put the game away.
He worked well off of Maxey and Edgecombe, finding space and making timely cuts. His energy and shot-making helped keep the Sixers’ offense humming throughout the night.
Other Notables:
- Quentin Grimes put John Collins on a poster. No analysis needed - just know it happened and it was nasty.
- The Sixers had 12 players score, including contributions from VJ Edgecombe, Paul George, and Jared McCain - all of whom continue to make their mark in this rotation.
Bottom Line:
This was one of those rare wire-to-wire wins where the Sixers never really let their foot off the gas. They got big-time performances from their stars, a breakout night from Barlow, and contributions across the board.
If this is how they’re starting the West Coast trip, the rest of the league better take notice - this team is clicking.