Tyrese Maxey and Paul George delivered standout performances, combining for 73 points, as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 121-108 on Monday night. Maxey led all scorers with 40 points, while George added 33, helping Philadelphia snap its losing skid.
Maxey and George were especially efficient from long range, connecting on 12-of-21 three-pointers. With star center Joel Embiid sidelined due to a sinus fracture, the duo carried the offensive load for the 76ers.
The win improved Philadelphia’s record to 8-16, while the struggling Hornets dropped to 7-19. Despite LaMelo Ball’s return from injury, Charlotte could not overcome its defensive lapses and missed opportunities at the foul line.
Ball, playing for the first time after missing seven games with a strained calf, finished with 15 points and 11 assists in nearly 26 minutes of action. His return briefly reunited Charlotte’s projected starting lineup for the first time this season.
However, the Hornets’ rotation took another hit when Brandon Miller sprained his left ankle in the fourth quarter and did not return. Miller had 12 points before exiting with 8:20 left in the game.
Kelly Oubre Jr. provided valuable scoring support for Philadelphia, finishing with 19 points and nine rebounds. Andre Drummond, starting in place of Embiid, grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds and added nine points.
Off the bench, Eric Gordon contributed nine points on 3-of-5 shooting, including three makes from deep, while Ricky Council IV added six points in limited minutes.
Charlotte’s offense struggled to find consistency. The Hornets shot just 31.6% from three-point range and went 11-of-19 from the free-throw line. Miles Bridges led the team with 24 points, while Nick Richards added 19 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Ball showed flashes of his playmaking ability, but Charlotte’s turnovers and defensive struggles hindered any comeback attempt. Josh Green contributed 10 points, but his efforts were overshadowed by Philadelphia’s sharp shooting and physical play in the paint.
The 76ers finished the game shooting 51.3% from the field and 42.1% from deep, while Charlotte struggled to match their offensive pace. Philadelphia also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Hornets 42-38.
