It wasn’t the prettiest game of the year, but the Sixers won’t care. They needed a victory, and they got it. With Tyrese Maxey in control and plenty of energy, Philadelphia books a first-round matchup with Boston.
The spotlight belongs to the Kentucky product, who delivered 31 points and 6 assists in 42 minutes. A solid, composed performance, with no unnecessary forced shots.
“We played with insane intensity tonight. Everyone who stepped on the floor contributed. I’m really happy. I told them at the start of the season: ‘I don’t care what it takes, we’re making the playoffs’
Tyrese Maxey
Alongside him, rookie VJ Edgecombe once again impressed, finishing with 19 points and 11 reboundsshowing poise in a high-pressure environment.
After the game, he admitted with a smile:
I was having fun. If this is what it takes to win, then I’ll play like this
VJ Edgecombe
Nick Nurse: “It wasn’t pretty, but we’re here”
Head coach Nick Nurse emphasized the team’s spirit more than the quality of the performance:
It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t easy. But we’re in the playoffs. We kept responding and making the right plays
Nick Nurse
Joel Embiid remains a question mark
The situation surrounding Joel Embiid remains central, as he is still out following emergency appendix surgery. His presence on the bench is a positive sign, but his return timeline is still uncertain.
With three days of rest before Game 1, the Sixers are hoping to get their leader back, but the series against the Boston Celtics could begin without him.
Paul George warns: “Boston is a perfect machine”
Looking ahead, Paul George is under no illusions about the difficulty of the matchup:
We’re facing a winning team, used to playing these kinds of games. They’re organized, deep, with great stars. It’s going to be a real challenge
Paul George
Now the level rises significantly. Boston is a different story, and Philadelphia knows it. With or without Embiid they will need something more than what they showed against Orlando.
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