2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey – 12
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

You’ve heard the famous Michael Corleone quote, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” The Sixers often do the opposite, where I’m ready to be fully invested in what’s happening with the team, and then they give me reason to doubt again. Things looked good over the weekend with the sweep of the back-to-back, including felling the Cup Champion Knicks. Naturally, then, the Sixers put forth a stinker of an effort at home, losing to the Brooklyn Nets of all teams, 114-106. Philadelphia will now head out for a difficult five-game road trip, hoping to put this loss in the rearview mirror. Before we hit the road, though, let’s talk tonight’s Bell Ringer.

Joel Embiid: 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers

Tonight was an Embiid-centric affair in both positive and negative ways. He was far and away the best offensive weapon for the Sixers on the evening, shooting 8-of-13 from the field and 10-of-12 from the foul line. Joel had the mid-range jumper working, and also displaying encouraging physicality on the interior, bumping his defender to create space and finishing with some creative lay-ins around the rim. He looked like a man trusting his body. Of course, then, Embiid would later cry out in pain on the floor holding his right knee. Joel went to the locker room, then came back out with large ice packs on both knees on the bench, then…returned to the game, which seems…unwise? The hope is this game isn’t another inflection point we remember in the endless Embiid health saga.

Paul George: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers

George was responsible for the most fun moment of the game Tuesday night. He had been getting playfully clowned lately for not having a dunk on the season, so after getting a steal, he threw down a tomahawk dunk on the other end. The Sixers absolutely loved it and went nuts, as George screamed Gladiator-style to the crowd and Maxey ran out to chest bump him. It had to make you smile, which wasn’t often the case in this Brooklyn game. Overall, George was a menace on the defensive end with six stocks, and although his shot wasn’t falling, he managed to be reasonably efficient offensively by converting 7-of-8 free throws.

Eric Gordon: 12 points, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers

I’ll say it before, I’ll say it again. 36-year-old Eric Gordon can still help this team in a limited role as a floor spacer. Getting playing time with both VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes out due to illness, Gordon hit nearly half the team’s three-pointers on the night, finishing 3-of-6 from downtown. In fact, no one else on the team made on until there were under four minutes remaining in the first half. The vet also had a nice block in the fourth quarter, recovering off a screen to block a three-point attempt at the top of the key. All in all, a solid effort.