The Philadelphia 76ers rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to edge the Charlotte Hornets 118-114 on Saturday night, extending their lead over Charlotte to two games in the fight for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The win marked Philadelphia’s fourth victory in five games, highlighting the team’s ability to perform in clutch situations down the stretch.
Joel Embiid led all scorers with 29 points, dominating the paint and drawing fouls that helped the Sixers stay in the game during Charlotte’s early run. Paul George contributed 26 points and 13 rebounds, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter that gave Philadelphia a lead they would not relinquish. Returning from a tendon injury in his right pinkie, Tyrese Maxey was a major factor off the bench, adding 26 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in his first start since March 7.
Charlotte started strong, led by Brandon Miller eight rebounds while making five 3-pointers. LaMelo Ball added 20 points and eight assists, orchestrating the Hornets’ offense and keeping Philadelphia on its heels early. Moussa Diabate the efforts of starters Embiid and George. The Sixers’ ability to chip away at deficits and execute in the final minutes demonstrated the depth and resilience of the roster, which has been tested by injuries and scheduling demands.
Up next: The 76ers will travel to face the Miami Heat on Monday in another pivotal Eastern Conference matchup. Charlotte, meanwhile, will host the Boston Celtics on Sunday night as they look to rebound from a five-game winning streak that was snapped by Philadelphia.
