Maxey, Embiid Spark Sixers’ Comeback Win Over Kings in South Philly Thriller
The Sixers needed a spark Thursday night at home, and their All-Star duo delivered in a big way.
Facing a tough Sacramento Kings squad, Philadelphia leaned heavily on Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, and the two stars responded with a performance that reminded everyone why this team remains a threat in the East. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was gritty, gutsy, and ultimately, a statement win as the Sixers rallied late to steal a 113-111 victory in South Philly.
Let’s break it down.
Fast Start, Familiar Faces
The Sixers came out of the gate with purpose, jumping to a 28-25 lead after one. With Quentin Grimes sidelined due to an ankle injury, the offensive load fell squarely on the shoulders of Embiid and Maxey-and both were up to the task early.
Embiid went to work in the paint, bullying defenders with his footwork and touch, while Maxey kept the Kings on their heels with his quick-trigger jumper and relentless downhill pressure. By halftime, the duo had combined for 42 points-Embiid dropping 19 on 7-of-10 shooting, and Maxey leading the charge with 23, also on 7-of-10 from the floor.
Sacramento’s DeMar DeRozan did his part to keep things close, pouring in 21 first-half points, but Philly still took a 60-54 lead into the break.
Kings Punch Back
The third quarter belonged to the Kings. Sacramento flipped the script with a 38-point outburst, led by a steady dose of Dennis Schroder’s playmaking and Domantas Sabonis’ inside-out versatility. The Sixers’ defense struggled to contain Sacramento’s ball movement, and the offense briefly stalled outside of-you guessed it-Embiid and Maxey.
Despite the Kings’ surge, Philly’s All-Stars kept them within striking distance. Even as the Sixers fell behind 92-88 heading into the fourth, Embiid and Maxey had already combined for 60+ points and showed no signs of slowing down.
The Comeback: Maxey and Embiid Close the Door
Midway through the fourth, the Sixers found themselves in a hole-down 11 with 7:30 to play. That’s when the stars took over.
Embiid continued to dominate inside and from the midrange, showcasing that unique blend of power and finesse that makes him such a matchup nightmare. Maxey, meanwhile, turned on the jets, slicing through defenders and knocking down big-time shots in crunch time.
The defining moment came with just 1.3 seconds left. Down one, Embiid drew the defense and found Maxey cutting hard to the rim.
Maxey absorbed the contact, finished the layup, and converted the and-one to give the Sixers a two-point lead. That was the dagger.
Philly held on for the 113-111 win.
Bell Ringer Standouts
Tyrese Maxey - 40 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 12-18 FG, 4-9 3PT, 12-13 FT
Maxey was electric. After a few quieter outings by his standards, the All-Star guard bounced back in a major way.
His ability to shift gears, pull up on a dime, and finish through contact was on full display. The game-winning and-one was the exclamation point on a 40-point night that reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when he's in attack mode.
His chemistry with Embiid continues to grow, and in late-game moments, he looked every bit the closer Philly needs.
Joel Embiid - 37 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 13-21 FG, 10-13 FT
Embiid’s efficiency was off the charts, and his playmaking was just as crucial as his scoring. He read the defense beautifully all night, picking his spots and finding teammates when the double came.
What’s most encouraging? His movement.
Embiid looked fluid, active, and engaged on both ends, a sign that his health is trending in the right direction. When he’s playing like this-commanding the paint, hitting jumpers, making plays-there are only a handful of players in the league who can match his impact.
What This Win Means
This wasn’t just another regular-season victory. The Sixers came into the night sitting sixth in the East, and with the standings tightly packed, every win matters.
But more than that, this was a test of resilience. Down double digits in the fourth, facing a hot Kings team, the Sixers leaned on their stars-and their stars delivered.
Games like this are why Philly remains a team to watch. When Maxey and Embiid are both clicking, they’re capable of beating anyone. And if this duo keeps building on nights like this, the Sixers might just be hitting their stride at the right time.
Next up, more battles in the East. But for now, the Bell Ringers have spoken.