2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 8
VJ Edgecombe – 2
Andre Drummond – 2
Dom 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
The Philadelphia 76ers took care of business against the Wizards on Tuesday in a 121-101 victory.
The Sixers entered the game without the services of Joel Embiid (knee), Quentin Grimes (calf), Trendon Watford (adductor) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee). They would still have a favorable matchup considering the slew of Washington injuries.
Kyshawn George would end up playing, but it would not make a difference, as the Sixers needed just three quarters to put the Wizards away.
The Sixers dominated the second and third quarters, combining to outscore Washington 67-43. They had their second-best performance on the season from deep (17-of-40, 43%), and their second-highest steals mark on the season with 12.
The Sixers talent flexed its muscle over the undermanned Wizards, receiving strong play up and down the bench. A couple guys who did not make Bell Ringer nominees yet deserve recognition include Jabari Walker and VJ Edgecombe.
Walker aided the Sixers’ run in the second with back-to-back corner threes from almost exactly the same spot, followed up with a gritty offensive rebound drawing a foul.
Edgecombe electrified the crowd before halftime with this electric jam.
He would also help fuel the run in the third with some strong defense and hustle leading to easy points.
The Sixers entered the fourth with a 24-point lead, earning well deserved and long overdue rest for Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the starters.
If only the Sixers could play Washington every night. For now, lets get to Bell Ringer.
Tyrese Maxey: 35 points, 29 minutes, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 block
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File this Maxey performance in his MVP campaign folder, as he effectively enforced himself as the best player on the court for every single minute he played. Even when the deep ball was not falling in the first half, he was using his speed and dribble to consistently get downhill and finish at the rim.
The Wizards had no one rostered who could defend Maxey tonight.
That point was exaggerated in the third quarter when Maxey’s shot began to fall, and he began tearing through the Wizards’ defense. He scored 20 of his 35 points in the third quarter, shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-4 from deep.
As we’ve seen so far from him this year, an aggressive defender is easy prey, opening up the drive and opportunities at the rim. Soft or disorganized defenses provide him easy three-point opportunities.
He has become automatic in transition over the years, so how about when a defender is playing him to his left side?
How about one going right for good measure?
Washington had no answers, leading to Maxey’s best third quarter of the season, and him playing the least amount of minutes all season.
His defense also played a key role in putting the Wizards away in the third quarter, nabbing a couple lazy passes, one of which he converted with a dunk. He had a couple steals in the Sixers’ dominant second quarter.
Jared McCain: 14 points, 6-of-11 FG, 2-of-6 3PT, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
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McCain’s performance against the Wizards marks his most efficient this season. He was pivotal in garnering a large lead in the second, looking like his old self in terms of shot-making and facilitating.
Additionally, he appears to be back to playing free and with less pressure following his slow start to the season. He was seen multiple times enjoying Maxey’s antics, sometimes in disbelief.
Dominick Barlow: 12 points, 4-of-6 FG, 2 steals, 1 rebound
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Barlow’s impact does not show up in the box score, as he played shutdown defense all night against the undermanned Wizards. He continues to be a force during his time filling in for the injured Kelly Oubre Jr., fitting in perfectly with the fast and frequent offense the Sixers employed tonight. If one play encapsulates it all, let it be this one.
May the Lower Merion pirate continue to bless us with more Barlow highlights.