Written by Keith Pompey The Inquirer of Philadelphia (TNS)
The city of Philadelphia When it comes to Joel Embiid’s sleft knee, the 76ers prepared for a season filled with changes.
This was not what they expected.
For their 45th game of the season, Tuesday night’s matchup against Los Angeles, they had no intention of revealing their 28th different starting lineup. They didn’t imagine periods without Paul George and Embiid, two All-Stars. And in what was thought to be a championship-or-bust season, they didn’t anticipate being a contender for a play-in tournament.
The Sixers have mostly kept up their tough play in spite of everything. At the Wells Fargo Center, they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-104, demonstrating that.
On paper, they had little chance of winning the game, but they were ahead by as much as 25 points. Lakers star and four-time NBA MVP LeBron James was eclipsed by All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 43 points on 15-for-26 shooting, three rebounds, and two assists.
In addition to Ricky Council (16 points), Guerschon Yabusele (14 points), and Eric Gordon (14 points), Kelly Oubre contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
The Sixers had a 43-39 rebounding advantage even though they didn’t have a player taller than 6′-8. Additionally, they had more fast-break points (23-12), second-chance points (11-6), and paint points (56-46). The Sixers scored 27 points as a result of the Lakers’ 22 turnovers.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Philadelphia, LeBron James, 23, of the Los Angeles Lakers, attempts a jumper against Pete Nance, 22, of the Philadelphia 76ers, during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (Photo by Matt Slocum/AP)
James led the Lakers with a game-high nine assists, eight rebounds, and 31 points.
With the win, the Sixers’ winning streak reached three games and their record improved to 18-27. Their victory over the fifth-place Lakers (26-19) in the Western Conference was their second recent victory over a postseason candidate. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who lead the East, were defeated by the Sixers on Friday.
However, an L.A. team that had won five straight games was expected to beat the Sixers.
Gordon, Maxey, Yabusele, Oubre, and Justin Edwards were in Philly’s starting lineup.
The seven-time All-Star and 2023 NBA MVP, Embiid, was still out of the team. Nine-time All-Star George was also out due to an extensor tendon injury he sustained on Saturday in his left pinky.
Already ruled out of Wednesday’s home game against the Sacramento Kings, Embiid has only appeared in 13 games. In the upcoming days, it will be decided when George will be able to play again.
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, on the right, and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers converse during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Philadelphia. (Photo by Matt Slocum/AP)
However, it is nothing new for the Sixers to play without the two.
This season, the Sixers have missed more games than any other team in the NBA (54). With 38 points going into Tuesday, the Los Angeles Clippers were far behind, followed by the Orlando Magic (34), Dallas Mavericks (24), and Phoenix Suns (24).
However, there were other Sixers who were unable to participate besides Embiid and George.
Due to injuries, Jared McCain (knee), KJ Martin (foot), Caleb Martin (groin), and Andre Drummond (toe) are also still out. McCain will be out for the rest of the season.
Late in the second quarter, Yabusele, who started as center with Drummond and Embiid out, injured his right knee. After going to the locker room to get it checked, he came back a few minutes later.
Due to an abdominal muscle strain, Lakers All-Star big player Anthony Davis departed the game in the first half and never came back. In ten minutes, he finished with two rebounds and four points.
In the first half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Philadelphia, Christian Koloko (10) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks over Tyrese Maxey (0), Pete Nance (22) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (9). (Photo by Matt Slocum/AP)AP
Up Next
The Sixers and Kings will play their second and final game of the season at 7:30 p.m. ET. In Sacramento, California, on New Year’s Day, the Kings won 113-107.
Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC, 2025. Go to the Inquirer website. Tribune Content Agency, LLC is the distributor.
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