Game ID: 22500699
New Orleans Pelicans @ Philadelphia 76ers
Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHI 31 36 20 37 124NOP 33 21 27 33 114
NOP @ PHI ScoutingNOP @ PHI Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
PHI availability going into 1/24 · 1 day's restOUT McCain missed 2 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 15 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK George back 1/22 after 2, 36 min since (114% of 32)
BACK Drummond back 1/20 after 2, 22 min since (118% of 18)
PHI availability going into 1/26 · 1 day's restOUT Drummond missed 2 since 1/22, returns tonight: 19 min (104% of 18)
OUT McCain missed 3 since 1/20, returns tonight: 23 min (136% of 17)
OUT Edwards missed 2 since 1/22, returns tonight: 16 min (110% of 15)
OUT Gordon missed 16 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 2 since 1/22, returns tonight: 20 min (178% of 11)
BACK George back 1/22 after 2, 34 min since (108% of 32)
NEW Embiid 32 to 37 min over the last 4
PHI availability going into 1/27 · back-to-backOUT Gordon missed 17 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK George back 1/22 after 2, 34 min since (108% of 32)
BACK Drummond back 1/20 after 2, 21 min since (111% of 18)
BACK McCain back 1/26 after 3, 23 min since (136% of 17)
BACK Edwards back 1/26 after 2, 16 min since (110% of 15)
BACK Walker back 1/26 after 2, 20 min since (178% of 11)
NEW Embiid 32 to 38 min over the last 3
PHI availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 18 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK George back 1/22 after 2, 34 min since (106% of 32)
BACK Drummond back 1/20 after 2, 21 min since (111% of 18)
BACK McCain back 1/26 after 3, 24 min since (140% of 17)
BACK Edwards back 1/26 after 2, 20 min since (137% of 15)
BACK Walker back 1/26 after 2, 11 min since (99% of 11)
NEW Embiid 32 to 37 min over the last 3
PHI availability going into 1/31 · 1 day's restOUT Grimes missed 2 since 1/27, returns tonight: 16 min (55% of 28)
OUT Gordon missed 19 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK George back 1/22 after 2, 34 min since (108% of 32)
BACK Drummond back 1/26 after 2, 12 min since (62% of 18)
BACK McCain back 1/26 after 3, 21 min since (123% of 17)
BACK Edwards back 1/26 after 2, 16 min since (107% of 15)
BACK Walker back 1/26 after 2, 11 min since (99% of 11)
PHI availability going into 2/02 · 1 day's restOUT Gordon missed 20 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Grimes back 1/31 after 2, 16 min since (55% of 28)
BACK Drummond back 1/26 after 2, 12 min since (62% of 18)
BACK McCain back 1/26 after 3, 20 min since (117% of 17)
BACK Edwards back 1/26 after 2, 16 min since (107% of 15)
BACK Walker back 1/26 after 2, 10 min since (90% of 11)
PHI availability going into 2/03 · back-to-backOUT George missed 2 since 1/31, out tonight
OUT Drummond missed 2 since 1/31, returns tonight: 29 min (157% of 18)
OUT Edwards missed 2 since 1/31, returns tonight: 2 min (14% of 15)
OUT Gordon missed 21 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Grimes back 1/31 after 2, 22 min since (76% of 28)
BACK McCain back 1/26 after 3, 19 min since (111% of 17)
BACK Walker back 1/26 after 2, 8 min since (72% of 11)
PHI availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT George missed 3 since 1/31, out tonight
OUT Gordon missed 22 since 12/26, not on tonight's roster
BACK Grimes back 1/31 after 2, 22 min since (78% of 28)
BACK Drummond back 2/03 after 2, 29 min since (157% of 18)
BACK Edwards back 2/03 after 2, 2 min since (14% of 15)
PHI availability going into 2/07 · 1 day's restOUT George missed 4 since 1/31, out tonight
BACK Grimes back 1/31 after 2, 24 min since (83% of 28)
BACK Drummond back 2/03 after 2, 29 min since (157% of 18)
BACK Edwards back 2/03 after 2, 4 min since (24% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/23 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 8 since 1/07, returns tonight: 25 min (87% of 28)
OUT Murray missed 16 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 8 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 42 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 6 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Bey back 1/13 after 6, 30 min since (95% of 31)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 24 min since (162% of 15)
BACK Looney back 1/21 after 6, 10 min since (69% of 15)
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/25 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 17 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 9 since 1/07, returns tonight: 13 min (60% of 22)
OUT Jordan missed 43 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 7 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 25 min since (87% of 28)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 21 min since (143% of 15)
BACK Looney back 1/21 after 6, 10 min since (69% of 15)
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/27 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 18 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 2 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 44 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 3 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 8 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 27 min since (93% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 13 min since (60% of 22)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 21 min since (138% of 15)
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/30 · 2 days' restOUT Murray missed 19 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 2 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 3 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 45 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 3 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 4 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 9 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 27 min since (93% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 17 min since (76% of 22)
BACK Peavy back 1/18 after 2, 19 min since (126% of 15)
NEW Missi 20 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/31 · back-to-backOUT Murray missed 20 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 3 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 4 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 46 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 4 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 5 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 10 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 27 min since (96% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 19 min since (85% of 22)
NOP availability going into 2/02 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 21 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 4 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 5 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 47 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 5 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 6 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 11 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Jones back 1/23 after 8, 28 min since (99% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 18 min since (84% of 22)
NOP availability going into 2/04 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 22 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 5 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 6 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 48 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 6 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 7 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 12 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Alvarado back 1/25 after 9, 21 min since (95% of 22)
NOP availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 23 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 6 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 7 since 1/23, returns tonight: 28 min (132% of 21)
OUT Jordan missed 49 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 7 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 8 since 1/21, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 13 since 1/11, out tonight
NOP availability going into 2/09 · 2 days' restOUT Murray missed 24 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 7 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 50 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 8 since 1/23, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 9 since 1/21, returns tonight: 5 min (35% of 14)
OUT Alexander missed 14 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 2/06 after 7, 28 min since (132% of 21)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Embiid at 34 and Maxey at 25 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Grimes (2 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 27 from three, 26 free throws a game; Bey at 24 and Williamson at 19 a game. Without Murray (20 straight), Poole (3 straight), McGowens (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-2 a night and Philadelphia minus-10 and the arc, Philadelphia at 37 percent from three to New Orleans's 27. Call it Philadelphia 118, New Orleans 113.
1/24 vs NYK 109-112 — PHI notes
PHI lost 109-112. PHI shot 51% (39 of 77) to NYK's 44%, 9 of 29 from three. The glass went 37-53 against them. Embiid led with 38 (13 of 21, 3 of 5 from three, 9 of 12 at the line); Maxey added 22, Edgecombe 14. Q4 was theirs, 32-22, the deficit cut from 13 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 90-77 against them.
1/26 @ CHA 93-130 — PHI notes
PHI lost 93-130. PHI shot 39% (35 of 89) to CHA's 57%, 9 of 30 from three, and got to the line 19 times to CHA's 27. PHI turned it over 17 times to CHA's 23. The glass went 33-53 against them. Oubre Jr. led with 17 (7 of 12, 1 of 4 from three); McCain added 16, Grimes 14. Q4 was theirs, 34-21, the deficit cut from 50 to 37, but the other 3 periods went 109-59 against them. Oubre Jr.'s -40 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/27 vs MIL 139-122 — PHI notes
PHI won 139-122. PHI shot 52% (53 of 101) to MIL's 51%, 22 of 42 from three, and got to the line 15 times to MIL's 27. PHI turned it over 6 times to MIL's 11. George led with 32 (11 of 21, 9 of 15 from three); Embiid added 29, Maxey 22. The hinge was Q1, 42-34: from level to 8 ahead, and the lead reached 22. Edwards was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
1/29 vs SAC 113-111 — PHI notes
PHI won 113-111. PHI shot 54% (39 of 72) to SAC's 50%, 8 of 25 from three, and went to the line 31 times to SAC's 23 — 27 points from the stripe to their 19. PHI turned it over 9 times to SAC's 16. The glass went 24-46 against them. Maxey led with 40 (12 of 18, 4 of 9 from three, 12 of 13 at the line); Embiid added 37, George 15. The hinge was Q4, 25-19: PHI came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 2.
1/31 vs NOP 124-114 — PHI notes
PHI won 124-114. PHI shot 48% (45 of 94) to NOP's 43%, 17 of 36 from three. Embiid led with 40 (13 of 27, 3 of 5 from three, 11 of 14 at the line); Oubre Jr. added 19, Maxey 18. The hinge was Q2, 36-21: PHI came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 13. Embiid was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
2/02 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 102, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Leonard at 24 and Harden at 20 a game. They have won the glass by 10 a night. Without Jones Jr. (14 straight), Bogdanović (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Embiid at 36 and Maxey at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been plus-10 a night and Philadelphia minus-9 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 102 a night to Philadelphia's 118. Call it the Clippers 116, Philadelphia 111.
2/03 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 28 and Melton at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Cryer (3 straight), Payton II (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 22 free throws a game; Embiid at 32 and Maxey at 23 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without George (2 straight), Drummond (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the arc, Philadelphia at 42 percent from three to Golden State's 33 and the turnovers, Golden State giving it away 16 times a game to Philadelphia's 9. Call it Golden State 118, Philadelphia 114, Philadelphia keeping it close.
2/05 @ LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 53 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Dončić at 33 and James at 20 a game. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 43 from three, 22 free throws a game; Embiid at 32 and Maxey at 25 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without George (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been plus-4 a night and the Lakers minus-5 and the arc, Philadelphia at 43 percent from three to the Lakers' 34. Call it the Lakers 117, Philadelphia 116, Philadelphia keeping it close.
2/07 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 43 from three, 17 free throws a game; Brooks at 25 and Allen at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Booker (7 straight), Green (3 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Embiid at 34 and Maxey at 25 a game. Without George (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the arc, Phoenix at 43 percent from three to Philadelphia's 37 and the line, where Philadelphia takes 24 free throws a game to Phoenix's 17. Call it Phoenix 114, Philadelphia 113, Philadelphia keeping it close.
1/23 @ MEM 133-127 — NOP notes
NOP won 133-127. NOP shot 46% (46 of 99) to MEM's 49%, 13 of 36 from three, and went to the line 33 times to MEM's 22 — 28 points from the stripe to their 19. NOP turned it over 10 times to MEM's 19. Bey led with 36 (13 of 20, 6 of 9 from three); Murphy III added 32, Williamson 24. The hinge was Q4, 40-26: NOP came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 6. NOP trailed 60-65 at the half and won the second half 73-62. Williamson was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
1/25 @ SAS 104-95 — NOP notes
NOP won 104-95. NOP shot 40% (41 of 102) to SAS's 40%, 9 of 34 from three, and got to the line 17 times to SAS's 32. The glass went 58-46 for them. Bey led with 24 (7 of 15, 3 of 7 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Williamson added 24, Murphy III 17. The hinge was Q2, 31-19: NOP came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 9, and the lead reached 20. Bey was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
1/27 @ OKC 95-104 — NOP notes
NOP lost 95-104. NOP took 12 more shots (99 to 87), fed by 21 offensive rebounds, but shot 34% to OKC's 40%, 10 of 40 from three. NOP turned it over 8 times to OKC's 16. Williamson led with 21 (8 of 11); Bey added 16, Murphy III 10. Q2 was theirs, 32-31, the deficit cut from 3 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 73-63 against them. Matković's -14 in 10 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/30 vs MEM 114-106 — NOP notes
NOP won 114-106. NOP shot 49% (43 of 88) to MEM's 43%, 8 of 33 from three, and went to the line 26 times to MEM's 15 — 20 points from the stripe to their 14. Bey led with 22 (9 of 19, 2 of 7 from three); Queen added 22, Williamson 21. The hinge was Q3, 35-15: NOP came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 17. NOP trailed 58-61 at the half and won the second half 56-45. Williamson was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
1/31 @ PHI 114-124 — NOP notes
NOP lost 114-124. NOP shot 43% (40 of 92) to PHI's 48%, 15 of 36 from three. Bey led with 34 (12 of 19, 4 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Murphy III added 19, Fears 12. Q3 was theirs, 27-20, the deficit cut from 13 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 104-87 against them. Williamson's -17 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/02 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 106, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Miller at 25 and Ball at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Hall (12 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Bey at 26 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Murray (21 straight), Poole (4 straight), McGowens (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the arc, Charlotte at 42 percent from three to New Orleans's 31 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-11 a night and New Orleans plus-1. Call it Charlotte 118, New Orleans 111.
2/04 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Rollins at 22 and Kuzma at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Porter Jr. (6 straight), Gia. Antetokounmpo (4 straight), Prince (40 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 106, shooting 41 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; Bey at 21 and Williamson at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Murray (22 straight), Poole (5 straight), McGowens (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the arc, Milwaukee at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 30 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 106 a night to Milwaukee's 114. Call it Milwaukee 112, New Orleans 111, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/06 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 30 and Randle at 21 a game. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and Bey at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Murray (23 straight), Poole (6 straight), McGowens (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Minnesota has been plus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-8 and the arc, Minnesota at 42 percent from three to New Orleans's 36. Call it Minnesota 121, New Orleans 114.
2/09 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Bey at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Murray (24 straight), Poole (7 straight), Jordan (50 straight). 2 days' rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; LaVine at 17 and Clifford at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Murray (18 straight), Sabonis (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-10 and the arc, New Orleans at 40 percent from three to Sacramento's 34. Call it New Orleans 119, Sacramento 115, Sacramento keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHIAB A. Bona
DB D. Barlow
JE J. Embiid
JM J. McCain
JW J. Walker
KO K. Oubre Jr.
QG Q. Grimes
TM T. Maxey
TW T. Watford
VE V. Edgecombe
NOPDQ D. Queen
HJ H. Jones
JA J. Alvarado
JF J. Fears
KM K. Matković
MP M. Peavy
MA Matkovic
SB S. Bey
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
PHI/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Joel Embiid's 40 points lead 76ers to victory over Pelicans after Paul George's 25-game suspension
PHILADELPHIA -- — Joel Embiid had 40 points and 11 rebounds to help the Philadelphia 76ers win hours after Paul George was suspended 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, 124-114 over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance that was involved, and George released a statement to ESPN saying he took something that was “improper.”
Without George, the 76ers couldn't shake the 13-win Pelicans until the final minutes.
Tyrese Maxey scored 18 points and hit one of his four 3-pointers that gave the Sixers a 117-111 lead and Embiid and VJ Edgecombe followed with consecutive 3s for the 123-113 lead.
Embiid heard “M-V-P! M-V-P!” chants as he stepped to the free-throw line with 11.3 seconds left. He sank his first one to hit the 40-point mark.
Kelly Oubre Jr . scored 19 points and the 76ers hit 17 3-pointers to end the night on a high note after they learned they would have to make a playoff push largely without George.
Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 34 points and Zion Williamson had 11.
George was absent as the franchise celebrated the 25th anniversary of Allen Iverson and the 76ers’ improbable run to the NBA Finals. Allen Iverson was in the house and so were many of the featured players and architects of the conference champions such as former team president Pat Croce and general manager Billy King . The 76ers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the NBA Finals.
The Sixers also haven't advanced out of the second round in the East since 2001. George's suspension only pushes the odds that streak extends at least one more season.
Up next Pelicans: At Charlotte on Monday night.
76ers: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.