And boy did this look like the first game after some time off. Just ugly all-around, honestly, with the feeling of a random pick-up game more so than an NBA contest. The Hawks never got too far ahead but the Sixers just couldn\u2019t seem to make up much ground at any point until it was too late \u2014 it probably didn\u2019t help that they shot 38.4% from the floor (33-for-86). Atlanta wasn\u2019t much better, but clearly they were better enough.<\/p>\n
This is the Sixers\u2019 third loss this season to a now 27-30 Hawks squad.<\/p>\n
The Sixers will now hit the road for a weekend back-to-back, visiting the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Until then, let\u2019s get to the Bell Ringer.<\/p>\n
VJ Edgecombe: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block<\/p>\n
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant\/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n The rookie looked fresh and energetic coming off the All-Star weekend where he was the MVP of the Rising Stars game last Friday evening. Edgecombe led the Sixers in the first period with 11 points on 4-for-7 field goal shooting (2-for-4 from long range) and was really the only offensive juice Philadelphia had in an ugly 26-point first.<\/p>\n Speaking of long range, he hit this triple to beat the buzzer at the end of the opening frame.<\/p>\n Edgecombe cooled off a bit after that hot start, but the rookie didn\u2019t stop contributing. Per usual, he was the best when the Sixers\u2019 backs were against the wall. He had seven points and a few great defensive plays in the fourth as the Sixers were trying to pry a victory from the jaws of defeat.<\/p>\n The rookie finished this one with 20 points (7-for-15 field goal shooting, 3-for-8 from long range) with nine rebounds, a steal and a block.<\/p>\n Adem Bona: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks in 19:40<\/p>\n (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think you could possibly ask for more hustle from a guy. Adem Bona came out with a fire for this contest and was absolutely all over the court. By halftime, he had already racked up four blocks and four rebounds (three on the offensive end) in under 10 minutes on the floor. That doesn\u2019t happen by coincidence. It happens from making sure you\u2019re at the right place at the exact right times (with precise execution on the blocks) to make the plays.<\/p>\n In addition to putting up five points of his own in that first half, there\u2019s one play I specifically want to highlight on the offensive end that turned what would have been Atlanta ball into three points for the Sixers.<\/p>\n That\u2019s an Adem Bona play. The hustle, the awareness and the execution.<\/p>\n And it\u2019s a play that won\u2019t show at all on a stat sheet. That\u2019s what Bona does, the energy and hustle plays that don\u2019t always show in the form of eye-popping stat lines \u2014 but if you\u2019re watching, you know exactly what he\u2019s bringing for the Sixers, especially in games like Thursday\u2019s.<\/p>\n Bona finished this one with nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks in 19:40 on the floor.<\/p>\n Tyrese Maxey: 28 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block<\/p>\n (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant\/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n Tyrese Maxey is far from perfect right now. His shot selection has been leaving a lot to be desired and is leading to some really inefficient shooting lines, but he is undeniably still able to string together bursts of scoring for this Sixers\u2019 squad and leads the offensive production when Embiid is sidelined. Tonight was another one of those nights. He shot just 34.8% from the floor (8-for-23) \u2014 but he also led the Sixers with 28 points.<\/p>\n Maxey had an especially strong third period \u2014 the period where it typically all gets worse somehow for the Sixers \u2014 with 11 points on 4-for-7 field goal shooting with a few timely triples to keep Philadelphia within striking distance of Atlanta. However, he then put up just three points (all free throws) in the entirety of the fourth.<\/p>\n I\u2019m conflicted personally putting Maxey here. I feel like I have to, because he did lead the Sixers scoring and had a number of good defensive plays\u2026 but his game continues to be off in a concerning way. From the shot selection and poor shooting to his demeanor and emotional reactions throughout games, it just feels like Maxey is far from at his best right now.<\/p>\n But here we are. Maxey finished the night with 28 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. He played nearly 39 minutes.<\/p>\n Quentin Grimes: 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block<\/p>\n![\"(Photo](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2261992025.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"(Photo](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2261992061.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"(Photo](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2261992005.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"(Photo](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2261988069.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"(Photo](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2261994950.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n