2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 12
VJ Edgecombe – 3
Andre Drummond – 2
Joel Embiid – 2
Paul George – 2
Dominick Barlow – 1
Adem Bona – 1
Justin Edwards – 1
Quentin Grimes – 1
Jared McCain – 1
Kelly Oubre Jr. – 1
Trendon Watford – 1
15th roster spot – 1
Deja vu. The Philadelphia 76ers drop another close game to the Chicago Bulls, falling 109-102 on Friday night.
It was another questionable game from the Sixers, from missing a ton of shots throughout and playing some horrific defense
at times to allowing the Bulls to go on a 10-0 run to close out the game. Just really not inspiring basketball.
VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow and Quentin Grimes all returned to the lineup after missing Tuesday’s game due to illness. Joel Embiid, despite being questionable pregame due to right knee injury management, was also available.
This one was a back-and-forth battle of runs for the most part, but the Bulls had the important run when it mattered the most. Absolutely everyone, including the guys up for Bell Ringer here, choked in some way or another down the stretch for Philadelphia tonight.
All that being said, if you’re looking for a game recap, you can find that here!
The 16-13 Sixers face a tough one next, taking on the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5) on Sunday afternoon. That will be the second game of this five-game road trip for Philly.
Until then, let’s get to the Bell Ringer.
Joel Embiid: 31 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Joel Embiid was in the starting lineup Friday after being listed as questionable for right knee injury management until just before the game. The big fella hyperextended his knee on a play in the Sixers’ embarrassing loss on Tuesday to the Brooklyn Nets, briefly heading to the locker room before surprisingly returning to the game.
He looked relatively comfortable tonight (by current standards, of course). There were a few moments of scares with Embiid in pain grabbing his knee, but he played like it wasn’t bothering him too much between those. In the first half, the big fella was battling for finishes at the rim, drawing fouls and hitting jumpers, leading the floor with 16 points on 6-for-10 field goal shooting and 1-for-1 three-point shooting at the break.
Is he as explosive or athletic as he was a few years ago? No, of course not. That’s just the reality. But he’s still finding ways to contribute. He put up 31 points in 32 minutes tonight shooting 10-for-19 FG and 2-for-4 3PT in addition to drawing fouls off the Bulls (9-for-9 from the line), and put up some really great screens off the ball.
Tyrese Maxey: 27 points (5 triples), 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks
Maxey, unfortunately, started this one as cold as he looked in Tuesday’s season-worst performance. Fortunately, he was able to turn it around by the second frame. After going just 1-for-7 from the floor in the opening period with questionable shot selection, Maxey started to look more himself approaching halftime. He shot 3-for-4 field goals in the second frame to bring his total to 12 points by the break.
He came out for the second half with a different energy than that with which he started the game, sinking a running pull-up triple in transition with zero hesitation. And he kept shooting them from long range, ending up with five three-pointers in this one. Once those were falling, the drives to the rim came with more frequency and to more success with them. A much better showing than Tuesday from Maxey, to say the least.
He finished Friday’s contest with 27 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two blocks in this one. He played 40:21.
Dominick Barlow: 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, +10
I have to give Dominick Barlow his flowers for continuing to be such a positive impact for this Sixers squad. He’s not going to score 20 points or have the flashiest highlights most games, but he’s been in the right spots making the right plays time and time again. Tonight was no exception. He is constantly aggressive on the boards, getting up put-backs and/or drawing fouls in the process. The same energy level is brought to his defense every night. Tonight, in a game that the Sixers lost 109-102, Barlow was a team-leading +10.
He had seven points on 2-for-3 field goal shooting and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe with six rebounds (three offensive), two assists and three steals.
