Game ID: 22501053
Chicago Bulls @ Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHI 38 33 51 35 157CHI 26 26 32 53 137
CHI @ PHI ScoutingCHI @ 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 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Maxey missed 5 since 3/09, out tonight
OUT Embiid missed 9 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT George missed 21 since 1/31, out tonight
OUT Oubre Jr. missed 3 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 2 since 3/14, out tonight
BACK Edgecombe back 3/10 after 3, 33 min since (95% of 35)
BACK Drummond back 3/15 after 3, 35 min since (188% of 18)
BACK Beauchamp back 3/09 after 9, 16 min since (113% of 14)
BACK Terry back 3/09 after 2, 21 min since (205% of 10)
NEW Grimes 28 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Payne 17 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Bona 16 to 22 min over the last 4
NEW Edwards 15 to 24 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Maxey missed 6 since 3/09, out tonight
OUT Embiid missed 10 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT George missed 22 since 1/31, out tonight
OUT Oubre Jr. missed 4 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 3 since 3/14, returns tonight: 6 min (53% of 11)
BACK Edgecombe back 3/10 after 3, 31 min since (89% of 35)
BACK Drummond back 3/15 after 3, 31 min since (170% of 18)
NEW Barlow 22 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Watford 15 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Edwards 15 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Beauchamp 14 to 20 min over the last 4
NEW Terry 10 to 21 min over the last 4
PHI availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Maxey missed 7 since 3/09, out tonight
OUT Embiid missed 11 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT George missed 23 since 1/31, out tonight
OUT Oubre Jr. missed 5 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Drummond back 3/15 after 3, 29 min since (157% of 18)
BACK Walker back 3/19 after 3, 6 min since (53% of 11)
NEW Barlow 22 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Edwards 15 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Beauchamp 14 to 19 min over the last 5
NEW Terry 10 to 16 min over the last 4
PHI availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Maxey missed 8 since 3/09, out tonight
OUT Embiid missed 12 since 3/01, out tonight
OUT George missed 24 since 1/31, out tonight
OUT Oubre Jr. missed 6 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Drummond back 3/15 after 3, 27 min since (145% of 18)
BACK Walker back 3/19 after 3, 12 min since (106% of 11)
NEW Bona 16 to 22 min over the last 5
NEW Edwards 15 to 28 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Maxey missed 9 since 3/09, out tonight
OUT Embiid missed 13 since 3/01, returns tonight: 28 min (88% of 32)
OUT George missed 25 since 1/31, returns tonight: 26 min (82% of 32)
OUT Oubre Jr. missed 7 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Drummond back 3/15 after 3, 25 min since (136% of 18)
BACK Walker back 3/19 after 3, 11 min since (101% of 11)
NEW Watford 15 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Edwards 15 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Beauchamp 14 to 19 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/28 · 2 days' restOUT Maxey missed 10 since 3/09, returns tonight: 43 min (112% of 38)
OUT Oubre Jr. missed 8 since 3/12, returns tonight: 28 min (87% of 32)
BACK Embiid back 3/25 after 13, 28 min since (88% of 32)
BACK George back 3/25 after 25, 26 min since (82% of 32)
BACK Walker back 3/19 after 3, 10 min since (91% of 11)
NEW Edwards 15 to 25 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 3/30 · 1 day's restBACK Maxey back 3/28 after 10, 43 min since (112% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 3/25 after 13, 32 min since (100% of 32)
BACK George back 3/25 after 25, 31 min since (98% of 32)
BACK Oubre Jr. back 3/28 after 8, 28 min since (87% of 32)
BACK Walker back 3/19 after 3, 10 min since (91% of 11)
NEW Edwards 15 to 21 min over the last 5
PHI availability going into 4/01 · 1 day's restOUT Watford missed 2 since 3/28, returns tonight: 3 min (20% of 15)
OUT Beauchamp missed 2 since 3/28, returns tonight: 3 min (21% of 14)
OUT Walker missed 2 since 3/28, returns tonight: 3 min (27% of 11)
OUT Terry missed 2 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/28 after 10, 43 min since (113% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 3/25 after 13, 33 min since (102% of 32)
BACK George back 3/25 after 25, 32 min since (102% of 32)
BACK Oubre Jr. back 3/28 after 8, 29 min since (92% of 32)
PHI availability going into 4/03 · 1 day's restOUT Terry missed 3 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Maxey back 3/28 after 10, 40 min since (105% of 38)
BACK Embiid back 3/25 after 13, 33 min since (102% of 32)
BACK George back 3/25 after 25, 32 min since (100% of 32)
BACK Oubre Jr. back 3/28 after 8, 26 min since (83% of 32)
BACK Watford back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (20% of 15)
BACK Beauchamp back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
BACK Walker back 4/01 after 2, 3 min since (27% of 11)
CHI availability going into 3/16 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 10 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 36 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 15 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (136% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 20 min since (98% of 20)
NEW Giddey 32 to 39 min over the last 4
NEW Buzelis 29 to 36 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 11 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 4 since 3/10, returns tonight: 18 min (68% of 26)
OUT Collins missed 37 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 16 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (134% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 20 min since (97% of 20)
NEW Giddey 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Buzelis 29 to 35 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/19 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 12 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 38 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 17 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 18 min since (68% of 26)
BACK Williams back 3/13 after 2, 23 min since (111% of 20)
NEW Buzelis 29 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Leo. Miller 23 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Smith 21 to 27 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 3/23 · 3 days' restOUT Simons missed 13 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 6 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 39 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 18 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 18 min since (70% of 26)
BACK Williams back 3/13 after 2, 22 min since (108% of 20)
NEW Leo. Miller 23 to 28 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 14 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 7 since 3/10, returns tonight: 23 min (87% of 27)
OUT Collins missed 40 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 19 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 21 min since (80% of 26)
BACK Williams back 3/13 after 2, 22 min since (105% of 20)
CHI availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 15 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 41 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 20 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Okoro back 3/25 after 7, 23 min since (87% of 27)
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 20 min since (78% of 26)
CHI availability going into 3/28 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 16 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 42 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 21 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 4 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Okoro back 3/25 after 7, 27 min since (101% of 27)
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 22 min since (86% of 26)
CHI availability going into 3/30 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 17 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Richards missed 2 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 43 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 22 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 5 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Okoro back 3/25 after 7, 28 min since (104% of 27)
CHI availability going into 4/01 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 18 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Richards missed 3 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 44 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 23 since 2/07, returns tonight: 11 min (87% of 13)
OUT Kawamura missed 6 since 3/19, returns tonight: 16 min (134% of 12)
BACK Okoro back 3/25 after 7, 27 min since (102% of 27)
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 115 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Edgecombe at 24 and Grimes at 24 a game. Without Maxey (9 straight), George (25 straight), Embiid (13 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Sexton at 16 a game. Without Simons (14 straight), Okoro (7 straight), Collins (40 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 36 percent from three to Philadelphia's 32. Call it Philadelphia 119, Chicago 116, Chicago keeping it close.
3/17 @ DEN 96-124 — PHI notes
PHI lost 96-124. PHI took 8 more shots (94 to 86), but shot 39% to DEN's 50%, 9 of 41 from three, and got to the line 15 times to DEN's 31. The glass went 42-53 against them. Beauchamp led with 16 (6 of 11, 4 of 8 from three); Grimes added 12, Watford 12. Q3 was theirs, 31-28, the deficit cut from 32 to 29, but the other 3 periods went 96-65 against them. Grimes's -21 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/19 @ SAC 139-118 — PHI notes
PHI won 139-118. PHI shot 50% (51 of 102) to SAC's 48%, 17 of 36 from three. Edgecombe led with 38 (16 of 28, 3 of 7 from three); Edwards added 32, Grimes 27. The hinge was Q1, 45-33: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 31. Edwards was the night's best plus/minus at +47.
3/21 @ UTA 126-116 — PHI notes
PHI won 126-116. PHI shot 50% (46 of 92) to UTA's 41%, 6 of 27 from three. PHI turned it over 16 times to UTA's 8, and UTA turned those into 8 steals. The glass went 56-39 for them. Grimes led with 25 (9 of 15, 1 of 4 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Edgecombe added 22, Watford 20. The hinge was Q4, 31-22: a lead of 1 became 10. PHI trailed 64-70 at the half and won the second half 62-46. Watford was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
3/23 vs OKC 103-123 — PHI notes
PHI lost 103-123. PHI shot 44% (41 of 94) to OKC's 53%, 17 of 46 from three. Edgecombe led with 35 (14 of 28, 7 of 15 from three); Watford added 15, Beauchamp 13. Q3 was theirs, 36-32, the deficit cut from 22 to 18, but the other 3 periods went 91-67 against them. Beauchamp's -19 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/25 vs CHI 157-137 — PHI notes
PHI won 157-137. PHI shot 55% (57 of 103) to CHI's 49%, 22 of 47 from three. PHI turned it over 8 times to CHI's 13. Embiid led with 35 (12 of 17, 3 of 3 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); George added 28, Edgecombe 22. The hinge was Q3, 51-32: a lead of 19 became 38, and the lead reached 47. Embiid was the night's best plus/minus at +33.
3/28 @ 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 128 a night and allowing 102, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and White at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 14 a night. Without Salaün (11 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edgecombe at 25 and Grimes at 19 a game. Without Maxey (10 straight), Oubre Jr. (8 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the defense, Charlotte allowing 102 a night to Philadelphia's 124 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-14 a night and Philadelphia plus-1. Call it Charlotte 122, Philadelphia 113.
3/30 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 129, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Herro at 21 and Adebayo at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jović (4 straight), Smith (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edgecombe at 26 and Grimes at 18 a game. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been plus-1 a night and Miami minus-6 and the arc, Philadelphia at 41 percent from three to Miami's 35. Call it Philadelphia 123, Miami 120, Miami keeping it close.
4/01 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 126, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Hardy at 18 and Riley at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without George (15 straight), Sarr (2 straight), Whitmore (54 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 122, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Embiid at 30 and George at 24 a game. Without Watford (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Philadelphia takes 23 free throws a game to Washington's 17. Call it Philadelphia 121, Washington 117, Washington keeping it close.
4/03 vs MIN — 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 128 a night and allowing 125, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 20 free throws a game; Embiid at 30 and George at 28 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 103, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Randle at 19 and Dosunmu at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without McDaniels (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 103 a night to Philadelphia's 125 and the arc, Philadelphia at 42 percent from three to Minnesota's 33. Call it Philadelphia 117, Minnesota 114, Minnesota keeping it close.
3/16 vs MEM 132-107 — CHI notes
CHI won 132-107. CHI shot 52% (48 of 93) to MEM's 45%, 18 of 48 from three. The glass went 47-37 for them. Buzelis led with 29 (12 of 22, 5 of 13 from three); Jones added 17, Giddey 16. The hinge was Q4, 35-21: a lead of 11 became 25. Smith was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
3/18 vs TOR 109-139 — CHI notes
CHI lost 109-139. CHI shot 47% (40 of 85) to TOR's 57%, 9 of 31 from three. Buzelis led with 19 (6 of 15, 3 of 8 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Dillingham added 15, Sexton 14. Q4 was theirs, 33-31, the deficit cut from 32 to 30, but the other 3 periods went 108-76 against them. Giddey's -30 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/19 vs CLE 110-115 — CHI notes
CHI lost 110-115. CHI shot 45% (42 of 94) to CLE's 44%, 15 of 44 from three, and got to the line 17 times to CLE's 31. Jones led with 20 (6 of 12, 2 of 4 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Dillingham added 17, Richards 16. Q4 was theirs, 37-22, the deficit cut from 20 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 93-73 against them. Buzelis's -20 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/23 vs HOU 132-124 — CHI notes
CHI won 132-124. CHI shot 50% (45 of 90) to HOU's 53%, 19 of 38 from three. Sexton led with 25 (6 of 14, 4 of 7 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Buzelis added 23, Miller 17. The hinge was Q1, 41-21: from level to 20 ahead.
3/25 @ PHI 137-157 — CHI notes
CHI lost 137-157. CHI shot 49% (48 of 98) to PHI's 55%, 15 of 47 from three. CHI turned it over 13 times to PHI's 8, and PHI turned those into 9 steals. Giddey led with 23 (8 of 13, 3 of 6 from three); Buzelis added 18, Sexton 16. Q4 was theirs, 53-35, the deficit cut from 38 to 20, but the other 3 periods went 122-84 against them. Sexton's -29 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/27 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Sandfort (3 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 128, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Sexton at 16 a game. Without Simons (15 straight), Collins (41 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 107 a night to Chicago's 128 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-7 a night and Chicago plus-1. Call it OKC 123, Chicago 113, OKC by 10.
3/28 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 126, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson at 20 and Prosper at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 18 a night. Without Rupert (2 straight), Wells (2 straight), Jerome (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 133, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Buzelis at 18 and Sexton at 17 a game. Without Simons (16 straight), Collins (42 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been minus-4 a night and Memphis minus-18 and the defense, Memphis allowing 126 a night to Chicago's 133. Call it Memphis 120, Chicago 119, Chicago keeping it close.
3/30 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 105, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 24 and Castle at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 14 a night. One day's rest. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 130, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 28 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Sexton at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Simons (17 straight), Richards (2 straight), Collins (43 straight). One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 105 a night to Chicago's 130 and the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-14 a night and Chicago plus-1. Call it San Antonio 125, Chicago 113, San Antonio by 12.
4/01 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 133, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 29 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Buzelis at 19 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Simons (18 straight), Richards (3 straight), Collins (44 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 126, shooting 54 percent and 45 from three, 19 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Nembhard at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (5 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the arc, Indiana at 45 percent from three to Chicago's 34 and the line, where Chicago takes 29 free throws a game to Indiana's 19. Call it Chicago 123, Indiana 122, Indiana keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
CHICS C. Sexton
GY G. Yabusele
IO I. Okoro
JG J. Giddey
JS J. Smith
LM L. Miller
LO L. Olbrich
MB M. Buzelis
NR N. Richards
PW P. Williams
RD R. Dillingham
TJ T. Jones
PHIAB A. Bona
AD A. Drummond
CP C. Payne
DB D. Barlow
DT D. Terry
JE J. Edwards
JE J. Embiid
JW J. Walker
KL K. Lowry
MB M. Beauchamp
PG P. George
QG Q. Grimes
TW T. Watford
VE V. Edgecombe
CHI/PHI 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
Embiid, George return to the lineup and lead Philadelphia 76ers past Chicago Bulls
PHILADELPHIA -- — Joel Embiid scored 35 points in his return to the lineup from injury, Paul George had 28 points in his first game since serving a 25-game suspension, and the Philadelphia 76ers rolled to a 157-137 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
Josh Giddey scored 23 points to lead the Bulls.
Embiid missed 13 games with a strained right oblique but showed no signs of rust. The 2023 MVP made 6 of 9 shots in the first period, including all three of his 3-point tries. He had 23 points in the first half to help Philadelphia take a 71-52 halftime lead.
George was not as sharp early but settled in after halftime.
Playing for the first time since Jan. 29 due to a violation of the NBA's drug policy , he missed 8 of 10 field goals in the opening half and had five points, but scored 23 points in the second half.
George was cheered throughout the night, especially after converting on three consecutive possessions early in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia was 13-12 without George, who signed a four-year, $212 million deal with the 76ers before the 2024 season but has been sidelined frequently by injury and suspension. George finished 11 of 22 from the field and 6 of 13 from long range.
Philadelphia still was without All-Star Tyrese Maxey , who missed his 10th straight game due to a right finger tendon strain. Kelly Oubre Jr . (left elbow strain) also was sidelined for the eighth consecutive contest. Oubre has been cleared to return to on-court activities and participated in Wednesday morning's shootaround, a team spokesperson said before the game.