2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 19
VJ Edgecombe – 6
Joel Embiid – 6
Paul George – 6
Andre Drummond – 2
Jared McCain – 2
Dominick Barlow – 1
Adem Bona – 1
Justin Edwards – 1
Quentin Grimes – 1
Kelly Oubre Jr. – 1
Trendon Watford – 1
15th roster spot – 1
The Sixers celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Finals team with a 124- 114 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
It was their first matchup without Paul George, who was suspended earlier on Saturday for 25 games due to violations
of the league’s anti-drug policy.
Despite having a large lead for the majority of the game, the Sixers defense left a lot to be desired, and opened the door for the Pelicans to make it close in the second half.
Fortunately, the Sixers were able to pull things together in the fourth quarter.
There were strong performances all over the floor for the Sixers, but none better than our leading Bell Ringer nominee.
Joel Embiid: 40 points 13-of-27 FG, 3-of-5 3PT, 11-of-14 FT, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 5 turnovers
Embiid is making a strong case for an All-Star selection, earning his first 40-point game of the season. He got started early and did not let up on Pelicans rookie Derik Queen, hitting a flurry of pull-up shots over him. He had his shooting stroke early and carried that into a more aggressive second quarter, where he would earn nine free throw attempts to help bring his first half total to 23.
The third quarter saw only one shot attempt for Embiid at the beginning of the frame, and he was quiet until the fourth quarter.
As the Pelicans closed the gap, Embiid hit a three, baby jumper and layup to maintain the lead until an 8-0 New Orleans run sprung them out in front 107- 104 with exactly six minutes remaining. He hit another big three to end the run and tie the game. A few trips later, he hits a beautiful turnaround fade over Yves Missi.
As the Sixers began to pull away, Embiid hit another big three to help seal the deal, pumping the lead to seven with just under a minute left in regulation. A free throw late brought him to 40 points for the first time this season and first time since he scored 50 against the Knicks in Gam 3 of the 2024 first round.
He got to share the moment with his son postgame:
Kelly Oubre Jr.: 19 points, 7-of-13 FG, 3-of-7 3PT, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
In the first game following George’s suspension, Oubre found himself involved often and was a vital part in keeping the Sixers afloat in non-Embiid minutes. It was the perfect example of how to stay involved offensively without being a primary ball handler.
In the first half, he was consistently getting in the paint in transition, where VJ Edgecombe assisted him with savvy passes deep in the defense, and helping out on the defensive boards.
He was responsible for some of the only offense in the third quarter, hitting two threes before the team as a whole went dormant. In the fourth, he had some sneaky good passes, including a skip pass to Edgecombe for the dagger three.
VJ Edgecombe: 15 points, 6-of-10 FG, 2-of-5 3PT, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover
Edgecombe earns a nomination tonight because of four plays.
The first, this beautiful alley-oop finish from a Tyrese Maxey delivery.
Second, a slick behind-the-back dime to Oubre.
Next, this sneaky steal and transition slam.
Lastly, his dagger three to send the Sixers on their five-game road trip winners of three in a row.
