PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Washington Wizards 109-103 on Wednesday night, led by Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 29 points and made the game-winning shot with 23.7 seconds remaining.
In order to keep the Sixers’ victory intact, Guerschon Yabusele scored 21 points and stopped a possible game-winning layup with 14 seconds remaining.
Philadelphia was missing Joel Embiid, Paul George, Kyle Lowry, and Andre Drummond, while Washington was without Malcolm Brogdon and Jordan Poole, their top scorers.
At the Wells Fargo Center, there had a preseason atmosphere until the Wizards made a strong push in the fourth quarter with so many important starters out and both teams well below.500.
Washington overcame a 16-point deficit because to a jumper by Bilal Coulibaly, who increased the advantage to 101-98. The Sixers’ tying three was made by Eric Gordon.
Maxey had six assists and made 11 of 27 shots for the Sixers. Each of Gordon and Kelly Oubre Jr. scored fifteen points.
For the Wizards, Corey Kispert scored 23 points and Jared Butler scored 26.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Philadelphia, Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards, left, attempts a dunk against Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (Photo by Matt Slocum/AP)
Takeaways
Wizards: The Wizards have dropped six of their last seven games and four in a row. At 6-29, they hold the NBA’s worst record.
76ers: Just prior to tipoff, tickets on the secondary market were selling for less than $10 each in the lower 100 level. Actor Scott Wolf of Party of Five was among the admirers who witnessed Maxey leave late. With Embiid and George out so frequently this season, Maxey, who was named an All-Star the previous season, occasionally struggled as the go-to scorer.
Key moment
Washington led 103-101 after Kuzma seemed to get away with a trip on a bucket. The score was knotted, however, when Maxey made two free throws. The winner was his subsequent basket.
Key stat
Only six out of nine free shots were made by Washington.
Up Next
On Friday, the 76ers host New Orleans, and the Wizards go to Chicago.
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