2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 4
Andre Drummond – 2
Dominick Barlow – 1
Adem Bona – 1
VJ Edgecombe – 1
Justin Edwards – 1
Quentin Grimes – 1
Kelly Oubre Jr – 1
Trendon Watford – 1
The cardiac Sixers strike again, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 110- 108 after being down by 13 points in the third quarter. They have now won seven clutch games this season, second in the league behind the Detroit Pistons.
It was Paul George’s season debut, which resulted in nine points on nine shots in a limited 21 minutes. Outside of his shot, he appeared to be in good shape physically and moved well defensively. His early shot attempts were not necessarily forced, but it did take the team’s offense out of rhythm at times.
The Clippers visited Philly on the second night of a back-to-back, but their play in the first half hid any fatigue they may have had effectively.
They were without the services of Derrick Jones Jr, Kawhi Leonard and Bradley Beal. The Sixers were missing Joel Embiid (right knee), Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee), and Adem Bona (ankle).
The Sixers’ second half comeback was fueled by improved defense, which led to more transition opportunities. Playing an older team on the wrong end of a back-to-back, playing fast favored the Sixers the rest of the way. Add in some clutch performances from our Bell Ringer nominees, and you have yourself another Sixers comeback win.
Tyrese Maxey: 39 points, 6 assists, 1 steal, 13-of-27 FG, 4-of-11 3pt
This was a game where you can see just how versatile Maxey’s offensive bag really is. His three was not falling for most of the night, but he was still able to drive and convert effectively. When the defense would play too far up on him, he would take it all the way to the rim with his speed. If the defense respected his drive, he would pull up or fadeaway in the midrange.
Then he turned it on in the fourth quarter. Maxey hit a couple deep threes early in the frame, including a huge one that cut the lead down to three with under eight minutes remaining.
He then hit a ridiculously difficult acrobatic layup, converting the and-one at the free throw line to cut their lead down to three. Two possessions later, he drove to the paint for two to give them the lead.
With just a couple minutes left in the frame, he assisted on a Quentin Grimes triple to stretch their lead to four. Then, following a John Collins converted and-one, Maxey drilled a massive three to push the lead back to four again. It would be the last field goal the Sixers would make, as their defense brought them home the last couple of minutes.
Andre Drummond: 14 points, 18 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 foul
Drummond notched his fifth double-double of the season against the Clippers. He continues to be a lifeline for the Sixers on the boards, and remains an effective scorer in the dunker spot. Both off drop offs from driving ball handlers and from offensive rebound chances.
Drummond has historically been a great rebounder, but his play this season gives you brief flashbacks to his time in Detroit, a welcome feeling for a big man in the back half of his career. Albeit adding the corner three to his repertoire is a key differentiator.
After going 1-of-2 on his attempts from deep tonight, Drummond now has more threes in a single season (6) than he has in any season of his career.
In the fourth quarter, he would force a critical loose ball foul on Ivica Zubac that lead to two free throws, which he drained to give Sixers a four-point lead with a minute remaining.
Quentin Grimes: 19 points, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 6-of-10 FG, 3-of-6 3PT
Grimes was responsible for the Sixers’ bench offensive output vs. the Clippers, and was crucial in aiding Maxey during the second half comeback. He would drain a huge three with a few minutes left, after scoring in the paint on the previous two possessions, all helping the Sixers maintain their slim lead down the stretch.
His shooting off the catch and shot creation ability was evident in this one, critical in relieving Maxey in spots while McCain gets back into full swing.
More notably, however, was his defense on James Harden in the second half. His ability to play him tight while not fouling, and repeatedly forcing him to his right hand or into the help defender was pivotal in the Sixers’ comeback.
He was largely responsible for holding Harden, who had a strong first half, to 2-of-17 from the field in the second half.
More nights like this from Grimes could go a long way for the Sixers, but also for himself as he will be a free agent this upcoming offseason.
