2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer standings:
Tyrese Maxey - 15
VJ Edgecombe - 5
Joel Embiid - 3
Paul George - 3
Andre Drummond - 2
Dominick Barlow - 1
Adem Bona - 1
Justin Edwards - 1
Quentin Grimes - 1
Jared McCain - 1
Kelly Oubre Jr. - 1
Trendon Watford - 1
15th roster spot - 1
As the song goes, here come the Sixers. Philadelphia has now won five of its last six games, only inexplicably losing to the Hospital Nuggets in overtime. Friday night in Orlando, the two teams couldn’t hit any outside shots in the first half. The Sixers’ offense then got its act together in the third quarter, and the group closed out the fourth quarter with an outstanding defensive effort, holding the Magic to just 12 points in the period. With the 103-91 win, the Sixers have moved up to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, and at 21-15, they are six games over .500 for the first time this season. Philadelphia will now also have any potential regular season tiebreaker against the Magic after winning the season series, 2-1. It was simply a workmanlike, drama-free road win against a solid opponent. As Johnny Gomez used to say, “Good fight, good night.” Let’s talk Bell Ringer.
Editor’s note: We’ve tweaked out voting process. Instead of a poll, I’m going to comment on the post with each candidate. Each comment/player name will be featured at the top of the comments. Give a “rec” for the player you’re voting for. This will give you all a running tally. It’s not perfect, but it was a fine suggestion by one of our readers, so we’re going to give it a shot.
Tyrese Maxey: 29 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 turnover
After an ice-cold (for him) 12 points in the first half, Maxey caught fire in the third quarter and more than doubled that total with 14 points in the frame. It was the full arsenal from Tyrese, a pull-up three in transition, a floater in the lane through contact, and putting Jamal Cain in the spin cycle for a driving layup. When things aren’t clicking offensively as a whole for the team, it’s a wonderful fallback to have a guy capable of getting his own off the dribble or fire away from a few feet behind the three-point arc. Maxey basically had one good quarter and nearly put up a 30-spot. It’s no wonder he’s putting up the sort of ascendant numbers we’ve seen this season.
Paul George: 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers
Paul George drove the getaway car for the Sixers, taking over at the beginning of the fourth quarter as part of the group that put the game away. In the first six minutes of the period, he recorded eight points, four rebounds, an assist, and two blocks. The Sixers went from up four to up 13 points when PG subbed out midway through the quarter. It was the sort of lineup-carrying performance with Maxey and Embiid both resting on the bench that the organization envisioned when they dropped the bag on him in free agency. George also hit 19,000 career points during the game, the 67th player in NBA history to reach that milestone.
Joel Embiid: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 turnovers
It was a less efficient night than Joel has put together recently, but still a step in the nice direction. First off, it was his sixth consecutive game played, which many would have reasonably thought we might not see this season. He looked good physically, initiating contact for a bushel of points in the paint. Even his jumpers came with a guy on his back, followed by a fadeaway or turnaround face-up. We also saw yet another dunk from Joel! Embiid looks to be feeling good out on the court, and it’s not at all surprising that the team’s success has ticked up in tandem with improved health for the big man.