2025-2026 Sixers Bell Ringer Season Standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 2
VJ Edgecombe – 1
Adem Bona – 1
The Philadelphia 76ers once again had their opponent frightened in the final minutes, yet their comeback against
the Boston Celtics Friday fell just short.
Quickly into the their first NBA Cup matchup, it appeared as if the Sixers fan dream of an undefeated season was coming to an ugly end. That was far from the case.
The first quarter saw a Celtics team that was firing on all cylinders, and a Sixers team that looked a step slow. Shots were not falling, rebounds not bouncing the Sixers’ way, and the Celtics uncharacteristically torching them from the midrange.
The second quarter began the same — the Sixers could not buy a bucket offensively nor get stops on defense to run in transition.
Then everything flipped after a few plays from the Sixers’ star guards. They would go on a 20-8 run to cut the Celtics lead to 11 at halftime, a feat that felt impossible just seven minutes prior.
Despite a strong start to the second half for the Sixers, the Celtics got back out to a double-digit lead. They attacked the paint on offense and benefitted from poor stretches by Andre Drummond and Justin Edwards. Another Sixers run at the end of the quarter brought Boston’s lead back down to seven. The Sixers would win the third quarter for the first time this year, outscoring Boston 25-21.
The Sixers entered the game as the best fourth-quarter team, and it showed once again. They gave Boston the same nightmare that struck them on opening night, but the Sixers’ turnovers and panic on the final play let the Celtics escape with just a scare.
Now to Bell Ringer.
Tyrese Maxey: 26 points, 14 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Maxey’s five turnovers, including one late where he dribbled the ball off of his foot out of bounds, is worth noting in a one-point loss. But his value to this team as a leader when the shots aren’t falling, like in this game, is immeasurable.
Both times the Sixers looked like they needed a buoy offensively, Maxey was there to hit a deep logo three. In the second quarter, his logo three helped spark the crowd, and perhaps some confidence in the team that the offense will be there, they just had to get some stops defensively. They would go on a 20-8 run to finish the half.
Late in the third quarter, after the Celtics went on a 10-0 run to give them a 12-point lead, Maxey hit a 28-foot three which stopped the run. The very next possession Quentin Grimes stole the ball from Anfernee Simons and converts two free throws on the other end for a huge five-point swing to close the third quarter.
His ability to tell when the Sixers need a bucket and to hit said bucket will keep them in games the rest of the season.
He did a great job of finding his teammates when doubled in the halfcourt or in transition, leading to the high assist total. If he can get the turnovers down, the Sixers will be in tremendous shape.
Joel Embiid: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
Without Joel Embiid, this game could have been even uglier early on. He scored eight of the Sixers’ first 10 points and assisted on the other two (a nice pass to Jabari Walker out of a double-team). He provided consistent offense when Maxey and Edgecombe were cold, and continues to be one of the best screen setters in the NBA.
He hit a couple tough shots to begin the third, and had a nice chase down block to send back a Derrick White layup attempt. It was one of the first flashes of Embiid’s rim protection prowess we have seen this season. In the fourth, he got Hugo Gonzalez to foul him on a three, where he would convert at the line. And he had a nice pass out of a double-team to Edgecombe for a huge three late. He even gave the last second grenade, given to him by Quentin Grimes, a good chance to go in (it was ruled after the buzzer).
He took a some blows, including one from White to the face, and fell down his fair share, but he came away unscathed.
VJ Edgecombe: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 7-of-11 FG, 2-of-4 3PT
There’s nothing more you could ask for from Edgecombe in this game, except more. He was pivotal in the Sixers’ second-quarter run, nailing a crossover three on Payton Pritchard, then converting an and-one transition layup. He showed confidence from the midrange and three-point range in the halfcourt, and had a nice cutting dunk in transition to stop a Celtics run in third. He is playing very well off Maxey, and their chemistry on the fastbreak is a thing of beauty.
In the fourth, his 1-on-1 defense on Anfernee Simons gave a glimpse of how lockdown this kid can be, but as of right now, larger guards like Jaylen Brown can give him some problems.
With efficient shooting like tonight, he should be seeing more volume moving forward. Will he be seeing another Bell Ringer?
Kelly Oubre Jr.: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 6-of-12 FG, 3-of-7 3PT
Oubre continues to be a crucial piece for the Sixers and he displayed it tonight. His ability to mesh into whatever the Sixers need at the given time offensively shows itself in many ways.
In the second-quarter run, Oubre Jr. converted a transition layup and a tough finish to beat the first half buzzer. In the second half, he hit multiple threes to help the Sixers remain in the game, and was fighting for rebounds even after the Celtics got multiple chances. His energy has been contagious and is worthy of Bell Ringer consideration.
