Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:

-Jared McCain – 8

Joel Embiid – 7

Tyrese Maxey – 7

Paul George – 5

Guerschon Yabusele – 3

Kelly Oubre Jr – 2

Ricky Council IV – 2

KJ Martin – 2

Justin Edwards – 2

The Sixers welcomed Eastern Conference rival New York Knicks into Philly for a Wednesday night clash at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Sixers were once again without their franchise big man Joel Embiid for the sixth consecutive game as he continues to miss time with a foot injury. The Knicks came into this matchup without All-Star center Karl Anthony Towns.

The first quarter of this one was marred by defensive breakdowns for the Sixers resulting in open Knicks threes and layups, allowing New York to jump out to an early 11-point lead. Aside from a Paul George’s four-point play and some Guerschon Yabusele buckets in the paint not much went right for the Sixers in the opening frame. The Knicks led 30-21 after the first quarter.

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— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 16, 2025

Second quarter was more of the same as the Sixers struggled to generate easy offense while the Knicks seemingly got whatever they wanted. Mikal Bridges led all scorers at the half with 16 points. Deuce McBride, an all-too-familiar thorn in the Sixers’ side, poured in 10. Knicks star Jalen Brunson finished the half with 11.

Tyrese Maxey had a rough half as he struggled to score or finish around the rim. The Sixers were led by Paul George who had 12 points, four rebounds and four assists at intermission.

The Sixers came out firing in the third quarter to finally turn this into a ballgame. Maxey bounced back after halftime to score or assist on 19 of the Sixers’ points in the third period. George also continued his stellar play with 11 points in the period. Despite the Sixers continued struggles on the glass, they went into the fourth quarter all knotted up 85-85, courtesy of a Jeff Dowtin Jr. banked in prayer of a three-pointer at the horn.

The fourth quarter saw the Sixers and Knicks trade baskets early. New York got out to a six-point lead with just five minutes to play after a costly Sixers turnover and more second-chance points from the Knicks. The Sixers came back to tie it at 102-102 after baskets from Maxey and Justin Edwards. A questionable no-call on a Guerschon Yabusele rebound that led to a jump ball and a Knicks run out for a Josh Hart dunk gave the Knicks the lead.

A possession later after an empty Sixers trip OG Anunoby would hit what felt like a dagger three to put the Knicks up five with just over a minute remaining. The Sixers refused to go away as they cut the lead to two with just seconds remaining. A Tyrese Maxey poke away from Jalen Brunson would give the Sixers a chance to tie or win it with seven seconds remaining. Maxey delivered, drawing a goaltending call on Precious Achiuwa to tie the score at 109-109. Anunoby missed jumper at the horn to send this one into OT!

The Knicks would quickly take control in overtime after an Anunoby dunk, followed up by a Brunson three and foul drawn on a three. The Knicks led 117-109 and wouldn’t relinquish it. New York snatched a road win by a score of 125-119 in a game they never trailed.

Now for the Bell Ringer

Tyrese Maxey: 33 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 13-of-32 from the field

After a brutal first half, Maxey got it going in the second. He carried the Sixers back into this game and gave them a chance to win it behind his exquisite shot-making. Maxey also made the play of the game for the Sixers getting a steal on Brunson that led to the Sixers being able to force overtime on a Maxey layup that was ruled a goaltend against the Knicks.

Justin Edwards: 10 points, 2-of-4 from three, 35 minutes played

Edwards was once again a bright spot for the Sixers. He hit a huge three late in the fourth that would tie the game. Edwards held his own against some demanding matchups defensively against Brunson and Mikal Bridges. The Sixers’ rookie is putting together a strong case to earn himself a standard NBA contract.

Paul George: 26 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 9-of-20 from the field

Paul George once again had a productive game for the Sixers on both ends of the court. George has started to play the best basketball of his Sixers tenure throughout the month of January. George has averaged 22 points per game on over 40% from beyond the arc over his last seven games. George looks to have completely put the two early season knee injuries behind him and looks like the Paul George of last season — and the George the Sixers expected to get when they inked him to a four-year max deal this past summer.

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