Shorthanded Sixers Still Threw Down Against OKC – And That's All That Matters

Maxey's Max Effort, Just Missing the Finish

Look, the Sixers came into Paycom Center missing Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris, not to mention Joel Embiid. That's a huge chunk of their scoring and star power. But you know what didn't disappear? The pure athleticism. Kelly Oubre Jr. had a couple of those classic Oubre-dunks early, just attacking the rim with no hesitation. He finished with 25 points on the night, and a few of those were highlight-reel worthy, especially his one-handed jam over Chet Holmgren in the second quarter. That's the kind of stuff you rewind.

But let's be real, even with the highlight-reel dunks, the Sixers fell short, losing 128-109. Maxey's absence was glaring, not just in the final score, but in the lack of those shifty, quick-twitch drives he provides. You knew they missed his 25.9 points per game.

SGA's Silky Smooth Buckets vs. Philly's Grit

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, man. That dude is just a walking bucket, and he put on a clinic. His step-back jumper against Nicolas Batum was pure poetry, just so smooth. He ended up with 37 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists, nearly a triple-double. And his mid-range game? Unstoppable. The way he creates space with that quick first step, it’s beautiful to watch. He had a few plays where he just froze his defender and hit the pull-up, leaving everyone else grasping at air.

And while SGA was dropping dimes and buckets, the Sixers kept fighting for those second-chance opportunities. Paul Reed had a couple of monster put-back dunks, showing off that raw power. Even without Embiid, they kept the glass somewhat competitive, grabbing 41 total rebounds to OKC's 47. You love to see a big man just go up and snatch it.

The Future's Still Bright for Both, Highlights Included

Here's the thing: Even in a loss, when you're down your best players, you look for the flashes. The 76ers showed some serious resilience. Buddy Hield even got into the mix with 20 points, hitting some deep threes. The way he squares up and lets it fly is always a thing of beauty. And while the Thunder are a young, exciting team, the Sixers, when healthy, have their own brand of fireworks.

I'm telling you, when Maxey gets back on the court, that Sixers offense is going to be a different animal. He's a blur with the ball. And you know Embiid, when he returns, will be a highlight reel unto himself. This game against OKC, even with the score, had its moments for the highlight reel. That's what really matters to me.

I predict the 76ers, fully healthy, will make a deeper playoff run than most expect, simply because Embiid and Maxey's two-man game is too explosive to contain.