When the Philadelphia 76ers brought Paul George into the fold ahead of last season, the vision was clear: build a powerhouse trio alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey that could contend with the NBA’s elite. Injuries delayed the unveiling of that blueprint, but in Tuesday night’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Sixers finally got a glimpse of what that dream scenario looks like in action.
George erupted for 32 points, tying a franchise record with nine made threes - a stunning turnaround considering he had hit just seven total over his previous six games. It wasn’t just a scoring outburst; it was a reminder of the kind of offensive gravity George brings when he’s locked in. And if the Sixers can get this version of him consistently, the Eastern Conference just got a lot more interesting.
“I thought we played great offensively as a unit,” George said after the game. “The ball just found me in those moments and I knocked shots down.” That’s vintage George - smooth, efficient, and deadly when the offense is humming.
Embiid chipped in with 29 points and nine boards, while Maxey added 22 points and nine assists in a balanced attack that saw Philly shoot a blistering 52.4% from deep (22-for-42). George (9-for-15) and rookie Jared McCain (5-for-6) led the charge from beyond the arc in what was arguably the Sixers’ most complete offensive showing of the season.
It was a much-needed rebound after a 37-point drubbing in Charlotte the night before. Head coach Nick Nurse praised the team’s ball movement and highlighted the impact George and McCain had in stretching the floor.
“Paul and Jared, with their hot streak there, widened the gap for us for sure,” Nurse said. “It was good to see out of both of them.”
For McCain, this performance wasn’t just a hot shooting night - it was a potential turning point. The second-year guard has battled knee and thumb injuries this season and has struggled to find consistency.
But against Milwaukee, he looked like the confident scorer who impressed during his rookie campaign, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting. With Quentin Grimes questionable for Thursday’s game due to an ankle injury, McCain could see increased minutes once again.
The Sixers will look to build on that momentum when the Sacramento Kings come to town Thursday night. The Kings are in the midst of a rough stretch, having dropped six straight games and struggling mightily on the road all season. They’re just 3-20 away from home and have opened their current six-game road trip with three consecutive losses.
Their latest defeat came at Madison Square Garden, where they fell to the New York Knicks, 103-87. Despite 34 points from DeMar DeRozan, the Kings couldn’t keep pace, especially from long range. They shot just 5-for-30 from beyond the arc, with DeRozan and Russell Westbrook combining to go 3-for-16.
“Deebo did everything that he could,” said Kings coach Doug Christie, referring to DeRozan by his nickname. “You can’t play him the whole 48 minutes. But when we were able to play through him, we got a lot of really good looks.”
Westbrook added 14 points, while Domantas Sabonis nearly notched a triple-double with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. But the Kings’ offensive woes, particularly from deep, continue to be a major issue.
Christie didn’t mince words: “I mean, 16% isn’t going to cut it, obviously, from the 3-point line. And, you know, this is a make-or-miss league.”
Still, Christie found a silver lining in Sacramento’s effort through the first three quarters against the Knicks. The game was tied heading into the fourth before things unraveled. “If we play to that level consistently, we’ll win our fair share of games,” he said.
The Kings and Sixers will face off for the first time this season, with last year’s series split 1-1. But the stakes feel a bit different now. Philadelphia is starting to find its rhythm with their star trio finally clicking, while Sacramento is searching for answers on both ends of the floor.
If George, Embiid, and Maxey can replicate Tuesday’s chemistry - and if McCain continues to contribute off the bench - the Sixers could be hitting their stride at just the right time. For the Kings, it’s about rediscovering their identity and finding a way to compete on the road, where wins have been few and far between.
Thursday’s matchup isn’t just another game on the schedule - it’s a measuring stick for two teams heading in very different directions.