2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings: Tyrese Maxey – 11 VJ Edgecombe – 3 Andre Drummond – 2 Paul George – 2 Dominick Barlow – 1 Adem Bona – 1 Justin Edwards – 1 Joel Embiid – 1 Quentin Grimes – 1 Jared
McCain – 1 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
It was not a great night to be a Dallas sports fan, as the Cowboys were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with the Eagles’ victory over Washington, and the Philadelphia 76ers came back from a deficit at the end of the third quarter to top the Mavericks, 121-114. It was an impressive win for the Sixers, who were coming off an emotional win in New York just one night earlier and playing without both Joel Embiid and Paul George. Philadelphia is now 16-11 on the season, good enough for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Could we see a Game 1 first round playoff contest in South Philadelphia? It’s obviously still very early, but we can dare to dream with the way these guys are competing on a nightly basis, including tonight’s Bell Ringer candidates.
Tyrese Maxey: 38 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers
On a night where the Sixers could have understandably wilted in the second half and we would have chalked it up to the back-to-back, it was Tyrese Maxey who (as usual) said it wasn’t going to go down like that. He scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, almost single-handedly outscoring Dallas in the period, as the Sixers won the frame, 30-17, to erase a six-point deficit and complete the comeback. I simply don’t know what opposing defenses are supposed to do with Maxey at this point. He can pull up from anywhere inside of 28 feet (he was 5-of-11 from three tonight). Maxey is the fastest guy on the court so if you crowd him, he can blow past you off the dribble and nail midrange floaters or crazy layups while still flying at full speed. His scoop shot in the final two minutes to ice the game was a thing of beauty and not something I remember seeing from him before from straightaway at the rim. Every game I feel like Tyrese is pulling something new out of his bag and his combination of efficiency and effort on both ends of the floor, all while playing 40-plus minutes a night, is remarkable to watch.
VJ Edgecombe: 26 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers
On the night first overall pick Cooper Flagg took the court in Philadelphia for the first time as a professional, VJ Edgecombe showed everyone there was plenty of star quality elsewhere in the 2025 NBA draft lottery. Right out of the gate, VJ showed no sign of tired legs on the second night of the back-to-back, going off for 14 points in the first quarter. He had an incredible sequence where he scored nine points in less than a minute, hitting a midrange stepback jumper, then another one while getting fouled for a three-point play, and finally a pull-up three-pointer off the dribble where he was fouled for a four-point play. These were advanced shots that I think we would have been thrilled Edgecombe was making in year three and he’s already making them look easy 20-some games into his career. He later teamed up with Maxey to propel the Sixers back in front in the fourth quarter, ending with his fourth consecutive 20-plus-point game, with also the fourth straight game with at least three made threes. Remember when he was considered a safe floor pick because of his defense and intangibles? Well, all that stuff is still present, but VJ is also showing elite skills on the offensive end.
Dominick Barlow: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover
Barlow tied a career-high tonight with his 21 points, a figure that was a season-high as a Sixer for him. He just does so many things right when he’s out on the floor. Defensively, he’s long and active, getting a terrific block on Anthony Davis to spring a transition bucket or diving on the floor for a steal and kicking it ahead. Offensively, he plays within himself, often crashing the glass or making some well-timed cuts. But Barlow also knows when to pick his spots to surprise the defense a bit with drives, and he has nice touch around the basket. Dominick even hit a corner three tonight, something that’s definitely a weak area of his game, but maybe he can just hit one every so often to keep defenses honest. He’s the perfect role player for this current team. What find as a two-way signing.
