Sixers Fall to Bulls Again: Bench Struggles, Late-Game Execution Doom Philly in Road Trip Opener
The Philadelphia 76ers hit the road Friday night looking to shake off a pre-Christmas loss and start their five-game swing with a statement. But instead of redemption, they ran into a Chicago Bulls team that once again had their number. In a tight, back-and-forth contest at the United Center, the Sixers came up short, falling 109-102 - their second loss to the Bulls this season and now 0-4 when Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George all share the floor.
This one came down to depth. Chicago’s bench made the difference, outplaying Philly’s second unit and delivering timely buckets that swung the momentum in the fourth quarter. Despite strong performances from the Sixers’ stars, the supporting cast couldn’t quite match the Bulls’ energy down the stretch.
Let’s break down how each Sixer fared in the loss:
Tyrese Maxey: A-
Maxey opened the night with a clean look from three, courtesy of a textbook Embiid screen - a great sign early. But after that, he hit a bit of a lull.
His scoring touch returned in the second quarter, when he started attacking off the dribble and creating his own offense. He knocked down some big threes in the second half and showed the kind of resilience you want from your lead guard.
Still, when the Bulls made their decisive run in the fourth, Maxey couldn’t quite stem the tide. A strong night overall, but the Sixers needed one more gear from him late.
Joel Embiid: A
Questionable coming in, dominant once the ball tipped. Embiid looked like himself from the jump - bruising his way through the paint, knocking down a three, and drawing attention that freed up looks for his teammates.
He was especially impactful in the third quarter, when he put the offense on his back and bullied Chicago’s front line. Whether it was Vucevic, Buzelis, or Okoro, the Bulls had no answers for the reigning MVP.
A few lapses on the defensive glass aside, this was another reminder of just how unstoppable Embiid can be when he finds a rhythm.
Paul George: A-
The shot wasn’t falling early, but George found other ways to impact the game. He switched across multiple positions defensively, taking on assignments like Buzelis and Giddey without missing a beat.
That versatility kept him valuable even as he searched for his offensive rhythm. When he did find it - particularly from deep in the second half - it gave the Sixers a jolt.
His three-point shooting helped keep Philly in the game, and his all-around contributions were vital. It wasn’t flashy, but it was winning basketball.
VJ Edgecombe: C
The rookie had a rough go on offense, especially early. He attacked the rim with purpose, but kept running into a wall of Bulls bigs in Vucevic and Buzelis.
Still, Edgecombe didn’t shy away from the moment. He stayed aggressive, battled on the boards, and brought energy on the defensive end.
His second half was better, but the shooting woes lingered. A learning experience for the youngster, who showed grit even when the shots weren’t falling.
Dominick Barlow: B-
Back in the lineup and full of energy, Barlow gave Philly a boost with his activity. He was relentless on the boards and made his presence felt defensively, using his length to disrupt shots and clog lanes.
Offensively, he finished some tough looks inside and made Chicago work to keep him off the glass. It wasn’t a perfect outing, but Barlow’s effort and physicality were noticeable.
Jared McCain: C
McCain gave the Sixers a spark early when they needed it. With the offense sputtering, he got downhill and created scoring chances at the rim.
But outside of that stretch, it was a quiet night. His perimeter shot wasn’t falling, and he struggled to get into a rhythm beyond that initial burst.
Still, his willingness to attack helped keep Philly afloat during a sluggish start.
Quentin Grimes: D+
Making his return from illness, Grimes looked rusty. He missed a couple of open threes early and had a nice finish at the rim, but his impact faded quickly. He didn’t see much action in the second half, and it was clear he’s still working his way back to full speed.
Andre Drummond: B-
Drummond did what Drummond does - he came in, crashed the boards, and gave the Sixers extra possessions. His physical presence was felt immediately off the bench.
But he didn’t see the floor in the second half, as the rotation shifted. Still, his first-half minutes helped Philly control the glass and keep things close.
Jabari Walker: B-
Walker continues to show he can step in and contribute with his rebounding and hustle. He was part of a strong collective effort on the glass, helping Philly win that battle. Like Barlow, he brings a physical edge that the Sixers can lean on when they need to reset the tone.
Adem Bona: C+
Bona got a look as the backup five in the second half, as Nick Nurse experimented with different frontcourt combinations. Offensively, he missed a corner three and didn’t provide much scoring punch, but he held his own defensively. His activity and rim protection gave the Sixers something to build on, even if the offensive game is still coming along.
Justin Edwards: Incomplete
Edwards saw just four minutes, and while he didn’t make much noise offensively - missing his lone three-point attempt - he did bring some defensive intensity. Not enough time to make a full judgment, but there were flashes of what he can bring on that end.
Final Word
The Sixers had their stars, but Chicago had the depth. That was the difference.
Embiid, Maxey, and George all had their moments, but Philly’s bench couldn’t keep pace with the Bulls’ second unit, especially in crunch time. The loss drops the Sixers to 0-4 when their Big 3 plays together - a stat that’s more curious than concerning at this stage, but one that’s starting to raise eyebrows.
With a long road trip ahead, this group has to find its rhythm - and fast. The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together when it matters most.