PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers had their chances late on Sunday night in their contest with the Los Angeles Lakers. Looking to extend their 3-game winning streak, the Sixers were locked in a tie game at 100 before LeBron James scored 10 in a row to help the Lakers knock off the Sixers 112-108 and send them to a tough loss.
Tyrese Maxey had 28 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists for the Sixers, Paul George had 12 points and six rebounds, while Dominick Barlow added seven points and four rebounds. VJ Edgecombe added 15 points and five rebounds, Joel Embiid had 16 and seven rebounds, and Jared McCain had eight off the bench. Andre Drummond added 11 and 11 rebounds.
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Here are the three biggest takeaways from the loss to the Lakers:
Third quarter issues pop up again
Dec 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Sixers led this game by seven at halftime and were in position to extend the lead even more. However, the third quarter was once again a problem for Philadelphia. Los Angeles opened the third on a 27-12 spurt to take an 80-72 lead and carried a 3-point lead into the fourth. James had seven points in the third while Luka Doncic had eight and Rui Hachimura added seven. The Sixers were unable to get a stop defensively and couldn’t catch an offensive rhythm to keep up and it led to them trailing after a solid start to the game.
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“We came out flat,” said Maxey. “It’s just weird. Joel keeps telling me that I gotta do a better job of not easing into them. I start the game in attack mode every game. First quarter, it’s like you can’t just ease into the third quarter. Like, you try to ease, try to pass, and do it, but he wants to me to be aggressive third quarter just go. Like, just go be aggressive and I think that’s what I did in the Warriors game, the Washington game, the Milwaukee game, they pretty much trapped me the whole game, but other than that, I gotta be more aggressive and I should’ve did that tonight.”
Embiid’s struggles
Dec 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts to a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The big fella was able to play 30 minutes on Sunday and he did score 16 points, but he shot just 4-for-21 from the floor and 0-for-6 from deep. He had trouble really finding any type of rhythm throughout the night and he shot 2-for-12 in the first half. Embiid is continuing to work his way back from left knee injury recovery as well as right knee injury recovery, so one can give him a pass, but the Sixers need him to find his groove again on the offensive end. With that being said, he was a plus-11 in his 30 minutes so there were some positives.
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“Well, obviously, the numbers say he didn’t shoot it very well, right?” coach Nick Nurse said afterward. “I thought he made some in the fourth quarter, that helped, and you look down and he’s a plus-11. So, he obviously had a positive impact on the game. So, that’s one thing, and I thought the minutes get up there. I thought he was moving a little better tonight. He blocked a shot, had more defensive rebounds tonight. Obviously, he’s not gonna be happy. Nobody’s gonna be happy with the shooting numbers, but I think there was some progress there.”
No McCain to bust the zone
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 07: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates a three-pointer during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on December 07, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
McCain was a big positive in his initial stint as he had eight points and knocked down a couple of 3-pointers in the first half. As the Lakers went to their zone defense in the third, the Sixers were unable to bust it as they shot just 31% in the third and could only fire up nine 3s, making four of them. The 4-for-9 shooting from deep is solid, but the Sixers could’ve used McCain’s shooting to bust that zone up and get the Lakers back into a man. Nurse explained the decision after the loss.
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“The only reason was they were really big on the floor,” Nurse explained. “And we were just getting pounded physically and not the greatest matchup for him defensively was the reason.”
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following loss to Lakers at home