In a showdown between two injury-riddled squads, the Philadelphia 76ers managed to pull away from the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center. Despite missing key players like Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre, the Sixers showcased their depth and resilience.
The Kings, also battling a depleted roster, stayed competitive early on but couldn't keep up as the game progressed. Philadelphia outscored Sacramento 26-8 in a decisive stretch, sealing a 139-118 victory.
Rookie sensation Maxime Raynaud continued to impress, scoring 14 points in just 16 minutes before finishing the night with 30 points. His performance is fueling his bid for All-NBA Rookie First Team honors, showing he's a rising star in the league.
Doug McDermott provided an early spark with nine points in his first 12 minutes, wrapping up the game with 11 points. Daeqwon Plowden also made his presence felt, contributing eight points in the first half and ending with 20.
Sacramento faced its own challenges, with Nique Clifford sidelined due to hamstring soreness and Drew Eubanks out for the season following thumb surgery. Malik Monk, battling recent injuries, had a tough night, injuring his shoulder in the second quarter and not returning.
DeMar DeRozan struggled to find his rhythm early, going scoreless in his first eight minutes but eventually scoring 13 points over 23 minutes. Russell Westbrook also had a slow start but managed to contribute 11 points and eight assists.
Precious Achiuwa added 12 points, and Dylan Cardwell chipped in with nine, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Sixers' depth.
On another note, potential top NBA Draft pick AJ Dybantsa may have played his last college game as BYU fell to Texas in March Madness. His decision about entering the 2026 draft could have significant implications for the Kings' future.