2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 6
Andre Drummond – 2
VJ Edgecombe – 2
Dominick Barlow – 1
Adem Bona – 1
Justin Edwards – 1
Quentin Grimes – 1
Kelly Oubre Jr – 1
Trendon Watford – 1
The Sixers followed up arguably their most thrilling game of the season with a dud.
They got off to a slow start and never fully recovered in a 127-117 loss to the Heat Sunday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Fresh off dropping a career-high 54 points, Tyrese Maxey was held below 30 points and seemed to be favoring his right shoulder for much of the contest. Maxey was unavailable postgame, so we’ll update you when more information is available.
The Sixers were without rookie VJ Edgecombe, who missed his first NBA game with a left calf strain. Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Adem Bona remained out. Miami wasn’t much healthier, missing Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic.
The Sixers fell to 9-7. They’ll host the Orlando Magic Tuesday night.
Let’s get to Bell Ringer.
Tyrese Maxey: 27 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
It was a weird day for Maxey. He had several early attempts rim out on him from deep. He also was seen trying to work out something in his right shooting shoulder.
While Maxey struggled early, he got going a bit with the craziest of shots.
Better lucky than good.
Maxey would hit another three off a Justin Edwards’ steal in transition. Jared McCain tied the game with a three on the next possession.
But it just felt like Miami had answers all day. Every time the Sixers would get close, the Heat would rip off a big run.
Though he got 10 shots up in the second half, he didn’t seem nearly as assertive as he’s been this season. It didn’t look like the Heat were doing anything overly complicated — Maxey simply couldn’t get going. Was the shoulder affecting him or was it simply an off game? Let’s hope for the latter.
Andre Drummond: 14 points, 24 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist
One of the biggest storylines of the young season has been the play of the veteran Drummond. He’s been the version of himself the team thought they were getting last season — and then some.
In a game the Sixers lost by 10, Drummond was only a -2. Kel’el Ware’s size was a real issue whenever Drummond hit the bench. With Embiid and Bona both out, Drummond is playing about as well as the team could hope for. He’s giving them starter-caliber minutes.
It’s also getting to a point where teams might have to start respecting his three ball. He made a pretty big three to close the third quarter, bringing the Sixers within six heading into the final frame. The crowd seems to be gasping a lot less when he hoists them up.
He had 19 rebounds through three quarters and finished with 24. So, yeah, he can still do that.
Trendon Watford: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Watford has struggled as of late, so it was good to see him bounce back. This was easily his best game since his first career triple-double against the Raptors a couple weeks ago.
Like with Drummond, the Sixers were simply better when Watford was on the floor. He was a big part of the team’s non-disastrous third quarter. He was able to get downhill and finish through contact on multiple drives.
